I am only in my third year of having Afib. 2020 I had one episode. 2021 I had 2 episodes. This year I just had my second episode. Previous episodes lasted about 4 hours. The one this week lasted about 10 hours. I called my EP because I wasn’t sure what to do. I’d like to have a PIP to help bring my heart rate down. His office called me back and scheduled an appointment for me in November. I am certain he is going to talk to me about having an ablation. Is it normal to have an ablation after having as few episodes as I have? I’m just concerned he is going to try to talk me into a procedure that really isn’t necessary at this point. I’m curious what others experience with this have been? Do people have ablations when the Afib is mild like mine or not usually until it becomes really frequent and lasts longer each time?
When to have an ablation?: I am only in... - Atrial Fibrillati...
When to have an ablation?
IF you have addressed all the life style matters such as weight loss (BMI less than 26) no alcohol, reduced reliance on met and processed foods, no caffeine and reduced stress then ablation is best tried early in your AF journey before the atrium remodels too much.
That said I do worry about the financial draw ablation offers in USA unlike here in UK so do seek more than one opinion.
Thanks for that input! Fortunately here in the states Medicare covers ablation!
It's not about the coverage. What Bob is alluding to is that some doctors will "favor" ablation for the money, even when it is not necessary. I experienced this with my EP here in the states. In fact, he diagnosed me with vagal afib, and gave me beta blockers which as I now understand it is contraindicated for vagal afib, so why did he give me them? In January he upped my dose, while trying to convince me ablation was the next step - and in the month following the dose being raised, I had more episodes than ever. I then learned I shouldn't be taking them, weaned myself off, and have been off of them completely for 4 months now and I am doing 1000% better. I now take just magnesium taurate 200mg twice daily, ensure my meals aren't too large, etc. I've had extremely rare ectopics since, when they used to be daily.
My actual episodes were extremely rare as well - having only 3 in 2 years, then I had 3 in a row in the month after he had me start to take 2 - 25mg atenolol daily. If you end up unsure after the appointment, seek another opinion.
Oh! I didn’t realize he meant that. That is always a concern of mine also. Thanks for sharing your info.
Sounds way too early for an ablation. I suspect EPs are on safe ground recommending an ablation to people with few episodes as it increases the chances of a successful outcome and bolsters their professional record. That sounds all fine but the procedure is not without risk for the patient. I had more episodes than you and still postponed the ablation offer; hopefully procedures safety will improve as time goes by. Luckily, I have managed to stay AF free over the subsequent 8 years with 200mgs Flecainide and a myriad of lifestyle changes including a magnesium compound & Co Q10 supplements. However I suspect my time will come!!
May I ask what kind of magnesium you take?
I had an ablation last September. I was having episodes one every month at the most.
It went well. But I’m still getting af once a month now.
Wow! It makes you wonder what was the point of the ablation.
it does. I’d have a 2nd touch up ablation though I think Rf this time
I felt as if my doc was pushing ablation with my having had so few episodes. After a lot of thought, I figured that if I had the ablation (which I did), and I had a stroke anyway, I could at least tell myself that I had done all that I could to keep myself well. I'm two months out and feeling good.
bearing in mind the previous replies, I would say definitely get it done before your AF becomes persistent. All the studies/stats give a better outcome for length of time staying in NSR then….
Do not rush into an ablation. It’s a permanent fix for what can be a temporary issue. Try to sort your health in other ways and don’t half heart it. Be mega strict and see if it makes a change after a year or so. Once you’ve had an ablation you cannot go back. Ablation should be a last resort. If it becomes your last resort then make sure you go with a top class specialist and make sure he/she is the one doing the procedure and not one of their lakkys. Good luck.
Thanks for your comments. Do you know a specific resource that tells about the lifestyle changes/supplements etc. that help with Afib?
the best resource I’ve come across is the book titled “the afib cure” by Johnathan day I believe. You’ll find most if not all the information you need in there.
Ablation 2 weeks ago-
Been in AF approx 2 months then had a CV to SR.
DW my EP as I was in SR, but her judgement was it was the Amiodarone holding me in SR post CV.
As such with all the scans etc I consented to cryoablation.
Now walking 4-5k for last 3 days and gentle stretch at gym (nothing too extreme).
To some on this forum it may have been too soon, but we all have different reasons for AF etc.
I saw the electrical mapping and subsequent ablation as a more 'permanent and definitive' treatment.
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