AV Nodal Re-Entrant Tachycardia

[Snowgirl65]

After seeing my EP today and giving him an EKG print-out of my tachycardia episode in the ER on October 2nd, I got some bad news. It seems my SVT wasn't caused by too much cortisone in my system prescribed by my GP, but that I have AV Nodal Re-Entrant Tachycardia. He said of the 1,000 or more ablations he's performed, he's only had 3 patients who've developed this. Aren't I the lucky one!!! He gave me various options i.e. more Metoprolol Succinate, going back on Dofetilide, or having an ablation. I chose the last option. I'll be having the SVT ablation (which he said is an easy fix), but he'll also check how the previous ablated veins are doing on the other side. My fear is recovery time. Has anyone on the forum had multiple ablations by age 72? Is recovery time longer by my age? It should be scheduled in about a month. Looks like I won't be hiking for a while...

[BobD Volunteer]

Just accept that you body will need plenty of time to recover WHATEVER is done. Set yourself targets and you will only ever fail. Listen to your body and take notice what it is telling you.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. What you say makes sense.

[stagecoach]

The EP who did my AVNRT ablation told me that this was the most common form of SVT! I had an ablation for Paroxysmal AF and a year later had an EP study and ablation for AVNRT. I'm in my mid 60s. It took less time to fully recover from the SVT ablation but it was still 6 months approx. for me. I'm off all heart rhythm/rate drugs and just take apixaban(Elquis) and BP reducing tablets and I'm now arrhythmia free.

Having the ablation was the right choice for me...

[Snowgirl65 in reply to stagecoach]

I'm so glad things went so well for you and you're a-fib- and SVT-free. I appreciate your info -- thanks so much.

[dedeottie]

Hi. I am 66 and had two ablations within 6 weeks of each other. One for AF and the other for tachycardia. I felt wiped out after the first ( could have been the GA ) but after the second which was longer, I was much less tired and immediately felt better. I think as Bob says, you just have to go along with what your body tells you. You need this doing and sooner is probably better than later. In my case the meds had stopped working so ablation or pace and ablate were the only options.

Good luck. X

[Snowgirl65 in reply to dedeottie]

Thanks dedeottie. It helps to hear others' experiences. As mentioned, I feel ablation is my best option -- nip it in the bud, as we say, before it gets worse.

[AblatedCyclist]

I’ve had 3 ventricular ablations and had an atrial ablation for AFib 7 weeks ago- and had to be cardioverted 10 days ago. I’ve been a runner then cyclist for 45+ years and was always eager to resume exercise- but I’ve noticed I’m much slower to recover this time around, and I don’t like it. I’ve done a little but notice I get short of breath too quickly and, having maybe returned to cycling too quickly in the past, I’m concerned I could do more harm than good. So definitely slower recovery time, but I’m not sure if it’s because of all the crap I’ve had done to my heart the past three years (I also have an ICD) or my age. Regardless I’m going easy

[Snowgirl65 in reply to AblatedCyclist]

Thanks for your reply -- I guess everyone heals differently. I hope you get your normal stamina back soon (me too!)