My support team (cardio MD and my daughter) are pushing me to have an ablation. I’m slowly getting my head around it. My daughter suggested it might let me start enjoying life a bit more. So I wonder, does an ablation afford the opportunity to resume partaking of life’s various pleasures, such as red wine, coffee, chocolate and so on? Or will they remain triggers to the remaining electro-sensitive heart tissue that makes the beat go on?
Post-ablation lifestyle: My support... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Post-ablation lifestyle
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Jfbould1
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BobDVolunteer
That is really a personl decision but mine was to avoid things that I know affect me so yes a new life style. Why risk it when life can be just as rewarding and fun? (chocolate was never a problem for me)
@BobD, yes, I understand your point. I’m a month in to abstinence, not through any specific intent, but because I haven’t been in the situation where having a drink would be the “thing to do”. Not missing it as much as expected.
I knew the smallest amount of alcohol was a trigger for me so gave up 7 years ago, something I thought I would never do, but I know it was the only way and if you are saying you are not missing it as much as you expected hang in there and pat yourself on the back. Good luck and enjoy the life changes, it can be a challenge and fun.
Thanks for the encouragement, Ruby.
Hi,
Please ask your cardiologist what is his documented success rate
J
Hi Globe-J. She told me 70%. Not a slam dunk, I don’t think.
Hi Jf
Seems good. May I suggest you explore other options too. I.e. Maze Procedure, which in my case did the job, after a failed ablation.
It may be possible to diagnose the source of pulses, triggering the heart muscle, attack the problem at its root.
Hopefully, you enjoy a glass of wine with good friends soon again.
Best of luck
J (-:
Thanks Globe-J. I have done some reading about the Maze and will do some more. I suspect I’ll give the ablation a go first, though. When the time is right.
Check out MummyLuv on this forum. Shje had the Mini Maze in London not three weeks ago. She was persistent AFib for some five years and is now in NSR and walked 7kms yesterday !
I am NOT a medic, but I think EVERYONE in UK gets told 70% unless there is a known reason it is worse. (Other Co morbitities).
Happy to be contradicted if anyone was advised a higher success number.
I was 70% but my EP also told me a was " a good candidate for ablation" .
Not had AFIB now for over 4 years. So he must have been right!
Hopefully yours is the same
As to triggers- I never found any for my afib. So I don't really avoid much but I do avoid aspartame. No evidence it was an issue for me but doing research during my afib period it did appear to quite horrible stuff anyway!
However if I had known triggers then I think I would have tried to avoid them , especially in the early days after the ablation.
Best wishes
Question is, are they triggers now? I can have a very small amount of all those things and I haven’t noticed that it affects me but if they do affect you then an ablation won’t change that enough for you to eat and drink as much as you like.
Many people are very enthused by the book ‘The Haywire Heart’ by Dr John Day. It advises lifestyle changes to reduce episodes and always worth trying those first but if your aim is to avoid making any lifestyle changes the I’m afraid you’re on to a loser 😢
The Haywire Heart book changed my life; i changed gps and got new meds to make my BP close to 120/80 all the time, I started drinking decaf, reduced alcohol intake, and reduced exercise (excessive exercise helped increased my left atrium) … no more AFIB and no need to have an ablation. I have my life back. I attribute the main factor of ridding AFIB to getting my BP perfect. The best $ spent on a book.
When you say reduced exercise can you elaborate please. I love walking, fairly briskly, unless I'm with friends who are slower and we're chatting. I do yoga too. I had surgery for bowel cancer early March and lost weight so I do weights and gardening to build up muscles. I don't think this is excessive but I suppose it depends. I'm a few weeks away from being 78.
Hi Buffafly, thanks. Yes, they seem to. I can count on a bout about 24 hours after having a coffee or a beer. Doesn’t prove causality, just a pattern I think is there. And I don’t binge, everything in moderation 
But then again, I can avoid all triggers for weeks and still have bouts. Go figure.
If the ablation is successful, no reason you shouldn't be able to indulge in the little pleasures listed, albeit in moderation. I remember a consultation with an Italian ep once. I was bringing up my various triggers including caffeine. His comment was, "Jim, you need an ablation -- what is life without your expresso". Everyone has their priorities. LOL
Jim
Thanks mjames1… I guess the final answer may be something like “don’t try, don’t know”. First need to sort out having an ablation, see how it goes.
Hi there, For me my second ablation nearly two years ago ended my need for rate and rhythm control drugs, ended my constant background anxiety ( after a few afib free months) allowed me to drink wine with meals and resume a life much more like normal.
Recently I have semi retired so I’m more active now than for years and the ablation has made it brilliant.
Your family are right it is well worth the effort. But I stress this was after my second ablation. The first did not work and if anything made me ( for a few months) slightly worse
Steve
Where did you have them done. I'll presume different doctors? how did you decide to have another when the first failed? I would have given up. From what I'm hearing that procedure is not all that safe let alone having done 2 of them
I had them both done in the Alexandria hospital in cheadle both by the same outstanding EP . I don’t think the procedure is excessively risky and it was ( for a huge coward in all things medical) not painful, even the first which was under sedation ( 5 hours) My decision to go to round 2 was based on my EP saying before #1 that it may not solve it in one go , but that if I needed a second there was a very high chance I would get nsr for a long time.
In previous posts I have suggested EPs describe ablation as an up to 3 stage process that manages expectations.
Also worth saying the first one did make my afib worse but that ( perversely) made it easier to fix the second time.
Happy to answer in more detail if it helps
Steve
HI Steve,
There are not as many stats, at least, that I can find, as there is for prostate cancer. Active surveillance is where I'd like to be, but I'm told that 2 months is the longest he'd wait to expect a good outcome and even then only 70% will somewhat stay in NSR. It's my heart. I only have one. Unlike ED or incontinences, mess it up and your dead!
Got to say this is nerve wracking
Thanks
Marino
Caffeine has left my life now, though i can have a few squares of dark chocolate still.
Alcohol moderately seems ok.
I think having a successful ablation does afford the opportunity to resume a sensible former lifestyle. I had an ablation 9 months ago and in consultation with my EP I’m living a normal lifestyle . It includes wine and other luxuries etc
Life is for living . I don’t abuse the situation but life is normal. It’s all very personal. Don’t be intimidated by the non positive responses .
Setting aside things you've temporarily given up, what's your quality of life with AF right now? Would you like it to be better? If so, go ahead and have the ablation. The rest will follow if right for your body. That said, I was told by my EP that those who drink occasionally and take moderate exercise regularly do best long term post ablation. I've recently had my second and that's my goal.
how did you know to have the second one done. I'm leery about the first! i have no symptoms, heart rate is 80 with what I'm told is permanent AFib but still told I'm in a down hill spiral if i don't do something soon it will be to late. What were your symptoms that made you go ahead with the procedure?
They told me right away not go expect much because I was sedated and apparently wiggled even when unconscious. So they couldn't do it properly. Nevertheless things did improve but when I went back they found that work on 3 out of the 4 pulmonary veins hadn't held.
Hi, it’s a good question. The answer is I think it’s pretty good. I can do my HIIT most mornings, unless it is one of those days (once a week, maybe), I’m then off to work. Occasionally I’m woken up by it, again maybe once a week, so that night’s sleep is not the best. I do miss the glass of wine with a meal, and the morning coffee. But to be honest, they’re not so hard to live without.There’s been a good mix of views here, between suck it up and fly straight on the one hand, and get the fix and not go overboard but also not deny yourself everything. I think I like your goal. That would be mine as well.
I was offered an ablation right at the start as I had SVT, I didn't know enough about it and tried to soldier on with change in diet and bisoprolol. However I would still get a trip to A&E every 6 months to be put back into sinus rhythm. Since the ablation I enjoy coffee, wine and all the previous triggers, salty peanuts was another one. I still get what I call the lumps and bumps occasionally which my EP says look we fixed the SVT but not what might have been triggering it. I take 1.25mg of Bisoprolol everyday and for 2 years now that has kept it under control. Maybe this maze procedure could fix that but for now I am happy.
If I had known how that one day having the procedure would improve my life, I would have had it 12 months before.
Thanks for sharing. It’s good to get different perspectives.
The only caffeine I have is before 1pm; green tea & half a square of 70% choc. No probs with that.
I guess most will be in favour of an ablation. I declined the offer 8 yrs ago in favour of 200mgs Flecainide, which has been totally successful albeit with many lifestyle changes incl no alcohol or fizzy drinks in particular tonic water.
Why did I turn down the ablation?
Several reasons: 70% success rate not high enough, no guarantee to come off the drugs, EP did not engender trust with no discussion on lifestyle changes, hope that the procedure will get better in the future, not confident my body was up to it (various reasons), increased anxiety already at a high level and problems encountered afterwards for those who have gone ahead.
What can you do instead?
Determine to make AF a net benefit and enjoy abandoning various unwise lifestyle choices to avoid possible acute or chronic conditions in the future. Learn as much as you can here and elsewhere to take control of your health. Take up new routines and hobbies to underline AF was your 'old life'. Accept AF can be caused by the accumulation of many factors and therefore the solution is to implement many mitigating actions.
Caveat: The alternative to an ablation is hard graft and if you are the sort of person who doesn't have the interest and is keen to accept the gamble of a quick return post procedure to your old life then the scales will tip towards 'meeting up with your EP again'.
Thanks for sharing. My cardio seems to feel that there’s a risk in long term use of rhythm control drugs like propafenone. I can’t find much evidence in my web searches regarding that, but it also hasn’t fully stopped the bouts of afib, even when I’m fully walking the straight and narrow. So when the time is right, an ablation might be a logical choice.
Don't know about Propafenone. Flecainide is a relatively tried & tested old drug in cardiac terms with some members here been on it for over 30 years. However, I believe there can be problems post 70yo with comorbidities. So I will be annually weighing up my best options when I see my cardio for a check-up.
I have the same question!! X
I am on the waiting list for ablation, ( I had a triple bypass Dec2019 ), I’ve been waiting for about 2 months. I was told I am a good candidate and there’s an 80% success rate. I went to A&E recently because my heart rate was going from 50 to 140 and back to 50, as i was sat still, the made me very anxious . I take bisoprolol 1.25 once a day and I was told to take 1 more if it happens. I don’t know what my food triggers are but my af happens at rest in the main. It’s very distracting and I wonder what’s going to happen if the af continues. My wife wants me to pay private rather than wait as it is affecting my/our lives. Has anyone gone private ?
Yes 2 cardio appointments and 1 ep in London Bridge hospital.All helped to get me on ablation list during covid.After 8 month wait I finally had my flutter ablation at St Thomas's last Monday even though I was expecting an a fib ablation. Apparently the flutter was causing my problems.Treated very well at the hospital but the discharge notes are in adequate thank goodness for the factsheets on this wonderful forum.Good luck.
HiAfter a successful ablation do you really want to chance it?
Alcohol is poisonous to your body.
Change chocolate to cocoa.
And other things. They say 1 coffee is OK but make it milky.
I trying to prove that AF is leaving me without any ablation, cardio-conversion.
How...
I've just had most of Johnson & Johnsons horrid mesh removed by top surgeon Dr Eva Fong.
Her report describes my state was all badly inflammatory.
Now removed I have been able to heal.
But astonishing the Dr cant find my AF twice now over 4 weeks!
She has asked my cardiac specialist to do some tests to prove my improving energy and feeling more normal.
Think carefully yourself and MANAGE YOUR OWN HEALTH.
cheri. JOY
At 73 after a stroke in 2019 and found to hav thyroid cancer. I have survived through the 'bad' meds but I refused RAI and being in suppression
Thanks for sharing and best of luck 🙏
Unfortunately there is no cure for a fib and no crystal ball so we don’t know how our bodies will respond because we are all different. I never gave up coffee or anything for that matter however I didn’t notice alcohol gives me a heavy feeling in my chest that I do not like so I just don’t drink it. I have never been told don’t eat or drink anything in particular although they want us in a heart healthy diet my doctor is not going to lecture me now knowing I’m sick. He treats me like an adult and I think he realizes I know I need to lose weight but being talked down to is not gonna help or make the weight fall off faster.
I would take baby steps with the things you listed. If you get relief from your a fib you certainly do not want to get it back. That doesn’t mean you can’t try and do a little taste test on some things as long as your doctor OKs it.
I did not have to even think about getting my ablation‘s because I wanted relief. The same with my latest procedure. I have great faith in my doctor and what he suggests and explains to me I am all for. If you do nothing you will just stay as you are. I don’t know how bad your a fib is bad for me it means barely being able to take a step and serious breathlessness like a car is parked on my chest and being so tired I am even too tired to cry. My first to oblations I was home the same day and except for leftover anesthesia and meds making me silly I felt pretty good. You won’t be running a race, you have limitations for at least the first week and a lot of it is common sense. I would say that’s a pretty good trade off to get rid of the misery in your chest. Best of luck only you know what you want to do.
PS. Not all heart procedures for a fib are a fit for everyone. The one I just had done with the vein of Marshall have certain criteria. The same when it came to getting a watch man put in. If you like and trust your doctor just remember all the training he has had. I had a phenomenal cardiologist who sent me to a great PE and they work hand-in-hand. My newest doctor in Houston is both cardiologist and PE and yes I do trust him with my life. If you don’t feel that way about your doctors and I don’t mean hero worship I mean trust and be able to communicate with him, then I would look for another doctor
depends on quantities you intend to use. Within go'vt guidelines is usually ok. I found ibroprfen is a trigger for my AF
I had my ablation in June 2021 and have been leading a normal life since. I took it easy for the first few months and gradually eased myself into physical activities. I didn't drink alcohol for a month or two and then had the odd glass of wine or spirit and can drink normally without any effects.
The only issue I have is when I burn the midnight oil and experience ectopic beats during the next day. Apart from that, I'm on a career break and enjoying life.
My Doctor framed up my ablation decision this way
“Is AFIb impacting the quality of your life in a significant way?”
If the answer is yes, then ablation might be the path for you. This, however, assumes ablation will enable you to resume your normal lifestyle.
I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to get the ablation, since it is simply the best option to help curb your afib? But if you are doing it solely so you can drink red wine, then you may be disappointed long-term. Red wine and alcohol will always be a trigger for someone with the predisposition for afib, the sooner you accept this the sooner you can get on with life. But generally speaking, a successful ablation could enable you to drink moderately without problems, if you want to risk an eventual return to afib. Many people learn they have to view life differently with afib...that does not mean life is "worse", but just different, with different joys, etc. Ablation is not a "cure" per se... (you will notice EP's do not generally use that term), and there is no absolute cure for afib, but it is something that can help us live a good life with afib.
I think the idea of the ablation is to give the heart a better opportunity to do more activietes in your ife if you find yourself now restricted because of fatigue and/or SOB. As far as enjoying the pleasures you mentioned, I'm not sure that's what the doc has in mind as the purpose of the ablation, but do be sure to ask.
Moderation is the key. Before I sank into near constant ectopics and weekly afib episodes I would routinely ride my bike for 4 hours, weightlift in 2 hour marathon sessions, drink 5 craft beers in one sitting, stay up well past midnight watching T.V., etc.
7 months post ablation I am traveling more, enjoying the odd coffee/tea, having a beer or two with dinner on occasion, back to cycling up to but no more than 1 to 2 hours, no more than 3 times a week and lifting moderate weights with my Son. I enjoy a chocolate chip cookie no more than once a week.
For now at least, the the biggest lifestyle 'modification' has been letting go of the constant stress and worry, getting on with my enjoyment of life and being mindful when I'm overdoing things. My stance is that any stressor can be a trigger. The more healthy your lifestyle, the less chance that stressor will potentiate a systemic rebellion. We all have to find our 'healthy'. Finally, I find the psychological component to be the foundation to the wellspring. There is a happy medium. Be nice to yourself and don't tax your system beyond it's capabilities but remember to enjoy the ride.
Sensible advice, thanks!
I was told I could drink alcohol and coffee if they were not triggers for me, which they are not. Also that I could expect, and be encouraged, to return to a sporty lifestyle by all four EPs I have seen an Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge
For some yes, for others no, there are so many variables that no one here could say with any confidence. What I can say is an ablation changed my life (and it was only partly successful). I now enjoy a drink with no problem (though this after 18 months) and live life better than I have done for nearly 20 years. Still not drinking coffee as it makes me light headed and sort of "excited".
Glad to hear you’ve gotten the benefits hopes for. Seems the spectrum of experience post ablation is as broad as that prior to the procedure. The “we’re all different “ bumpersticker reigns supreme…
Taking care of myself has always been a priority even before my diagnosis, because getting older can make any ailment worse. Post-ablation, I am thankful forNot having to take meds every morning and evening. Being able to travel again without being worries that I will go into AF. I still enjoy chocolate or a glass of wine from time to time.
Agree, Getting rid of some meds would be a pretty big deal. Thanks for sharing and best of luck.
Hi jf. After reading everything in response to your post, there is not much to add.In my case I was not going to agree to an ablation, the meds were making it possible for me to take care of the activities of daily living and though I did everything much slower I was happy and changed my life style regarding nutritional intake.
Then I stumbled onto a video posted by a Dr. "EP" performing a Cryo ablation at JFK Hospital in the USA.
He explained what he was doing with his team working on the patient and 4computer screens displaying data live while I watched
absolutely spell bound.
Called my EP next morning and he said I have performed over 700 of the procedure you viewed with an 80 percent success rate.
I am now 13 months in NSR and very careful to avoid stress. Yep, I have given up following politics, the "news" , having discussions with friends and family that start to raise my heart rate.
In short, I have surrendered.
I wish you the very best outcome
The JFK Hospital video is on
YouTube. Com free to watch and about 20 minutes.
If you check it out, also, search for Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn you are a changed man already.
Again all the best.
Hi Dr-Gohan, thanks for sharing and good for you! It seems there are radio frequency ablations and cryo ablations. I wonder if there’s any meaningful difference in outcomes? 80% success is higher than what I usually see. Are you now fully off meds for afib?
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