Quite naturally most of the posts here are from people with concerns, but I thought I would put up something a bit more upbeat as a balance for those on the waiting list for an ablation.
I am 67 and have been having Afib episodes for the past 3 years. A week ago last Thursday I had an ablation at Royal Bournemouth Hospital and the care and treatment I received was excellent. The only concern that they had before letting me go home in the evening was that the wound site didn't stop bleeding.
Over the next 10 days I have been steadily increasing the length and pace of my daily walk and I am now back to 5 miles at a good pace with my heart behaving as it should. On the 1st day a short slow stroll took my heart rate up to 110 but now it takes a decent walk uphill to get the same rate.
The only downsides that I have experienced are that the wound site took a week to completely stop bleeding and I do feel tired from time to time. From my limited experience I would just say, stay positive and don't push yourself beyond 75% of what you think you may be able to achieve.
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Ashfield53
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Thanks for this post, I'm due to have an ablation in two weeks time, quite anxious great to read a positive story, i just want it over now and get on with recovery and living my life again!
Sites like this inevitably have a bias, in that people are more likely to report difficulties rather than successes. Your post is therefore especially to be welcomed! A friend recently had an ablation & is delighted with the outcome. When the time comes, I'll certainly be up for one. Thanks Ashfield53!
I would guess that the AF (or rather the tachycardia is caused) also reduced your heart's pumping capacity? That happened with me and it took a time for the heart's muscle tone to build up back to normal. That would likely be causing the tiredness, I expect? Well done on that level of exercise!
I'm having my first ablation day after tomorrow so I'm encouraged by this. Well done you!! 👏 I intend to take it slow and easy to start with...but will be missing exercise and will be keen to get back to it. I'm also nervous about being awake through it. And having to lie still for so long.
Any tips?
The fact sheet is really helpful and extremely well written. Thanks BobD.
Sorry, I was under a general anesthetic so I have no tips. However I am sure you will be fine as the sedation will make it quite easy and there will be somebody to talk to you as the procedure progresses.
On the exercise point, both the fact sheet and the leaflet given to me at the hospital empahsise taking it easy and just make sure you take it gradually building back to what you have been doing.
Just to make people feel better I also had a cyro ablation 1/28 and no AFIB yet. I'm due to see electrophysiologist in a few days and will discuss with him when I can get off Tikosyn and blood thinner and then I will be med free for first time since AFIB reared its ugly head 2 years ago.
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