Anyone with heart scar tissue?

[Sustainedvtach270]

I have been in the Afib forum for a year and half. Thanks to what I learned in this wonderful forum, I made some lifestyle adjustmemts that kept me out of Afib. I found out I had some scar tissue after a heart MRI following a sustained ventricular tachycardia cardiac arrest in 2021, I am on beta blocker sotalol 80mg twice a day. I would be curious to know if there are others in a similar situation and what do they do to stay healthy .

[pottypete1]

I have scarring that I am told was caused by decades of AF.

In addition there is the therapeutic scarring caused by numerous ablations.

I do have a slow heart rate but otherwise I am unaware of the scarring.

I am 75 and maybe only time will tell if there will be issues in the future.

Pete

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to pottypete1]

Thank you Pete. My sitting heart rate is 50. I am 58, I could not have any ablation but was fitted for an ICD/pacemaker.

[Ewloe]

I have scar tissue caused by a stemi and cardiac arrest 16 months ago. It was caused by a blood clot and my cholesterol was normal. I was physically fit before this and they’ve said being so fit is the only reason I’m mentally and physically intact. But I now have PAF and none sustained ventricular tachycardia.

I still exercise but have changed my approach and try not to compare myself with before my heart attack. I don’t do the intense exercise I used to.

Acceptance has been a big thing to come to terms with. Accepting what I can do, things that take me longer to do and things that I don’t do because my body tells me there wrong.

I do a good amount of lengths at swimming now. It’s taken me 12 months to build up to 60 lengths and I’m in the medium lane instead of the fast. But walking up hill or an amount of stairs I’m at snail pace.

I do a bit of gym twice a week, Pilates, try to walk 5-7k once/twice a week and swim twice a week. But do things in the morning and have a sit down and rest in the afternoon. As I need a rest.

You can get fit, keep the weight off and be healthy even with a heart problem ( plus hypothyroid), but things take longer perseverance and a routine help. Good luck

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to Ewloe]

Hi Ewloe! We got a lot in commun. Congratulations on being so active with the pilates, swimming and walking! The day after my cardiac arrest the cardiac rehab nurse made me walk, I was walking as fast as before. I was fit before my event. Now I am more consistent with my exercise. 12 squats every morning, 8 to 10000 steps daily with most in the morning, as active as before in the yard, the only difference is with skiing. I do not tolerate the cold as well, my extremities ( fingers and toes)get cold easily. I understand my heart does not pump the heart as well but it seems to get worse after I take my beta blocker sotalol. Diet and beta blocker keep me out of afib.

[Electricblue1]

I have been told I have scar tissue in my left atrium. I did smoke and drink years ago and was at one point exposed to mould . I have completely overhauled my life . Diet , quit the drink and smoking , lots of walking .

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to Electricblue1]

Congratulations on your lifestyle change! I also quit drinking and switch jogging with walking. I also practice slow diaphragmatic breathing and nasal breathing. More sensitive to cold and heat. On hot and cold afternoons I watch TV, something I would never do before.

[Gilldy]

I have heart scarring in the left ventricle after an MI 15years ago when I was 52. I was told at the time that I would likely tire easily for the rest of my life and it's true. As the poster above states, you have to stop comparing yourself with you before the event. I'm relatively fit but the after effects of a long resuscitation make exercise difficult. I think whatever medication you're on can make a big difference, I've constantly questioned mine over the years and think I'm now on enough to be helpful without it making me feel poorly.

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to Gilldy]

Hi Gilldy. Good to hear your MI was 15 years ago. Dr Google is so negative concerning scar tissues. What kind of medications are you on?

[Gilldy]

At the moment I'm on aspirin, clopidigrel and beta blockers. The double antiplatelets are due to a stroke 6years ago. When I came out if hospital 15 years since I was on ramipril, stations and a nti spasmodics plus warfarin . If I hadn't questioned the doctors I'd still be on them.

[Ewloe]

I’m 60 now was 59 when I had my heart attack.

[MainlyMyself]

Sorry I cannot be of much help as I could not tolerate Sotalol ( lower dosage) because I did not like then way it just switched off the energy supply to my legs when I was walking uphill or upstairs.

On the other hand this is the way the drug protects your heart by stopping it from responding to 'excessive' demands. It's entirely up to you. best to do a costs benefits analysis on the basis od what your medics have told you.

I have no experience of scarring.