I've replied to a few posts here but think this might be my first post. 40 days ago I a cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal AFib. Afterwards the EP told me I had 5 pulmonary veins and he estimated 80% chance of remission with first procedure. Since then:
- I've only had AFib for 1 hour about 10 days after the procedure. I had AFib for 60 hours the 30 days leading up to the procedure.
- My resting HR and sleeping HR both went up 10 BPM a few days after the ablation. Both have since dropped slowly each week and back to pre-ablation numbers now.
- I did a 30-mile outdoor gravel bike ride 2 weeks afterwards and felt great, and have been back to normal workouts since. My workout HR has actually been a little lower than pre-ablation.
- 5 days after the procedure I caught a couple of PACs on my Apple Watch and haven't noticed any ectopic beats since then. Prior to the procedure I would often get PVCs in the evening while sitting, but none since.
The APRN at my follow-up said that if I had AFib during the first 90 days it was nothing to worry about, but since I only had it for 1 hour in the first month, that's a good early sign.
I just take it one day at a time, but feeling great so far. Looking forward to getting off the Flecainide after my 90 days and hoping to feel even better then.
Written by
estesbubba
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Terrific news and looks like you're on your way to defying the odds! I just wonder about that 30 mile gravel ride just two weeks after your ablation and shudder to think what your normal workout is now
You might want to check out Dr. John Mandrola's book, Haywire Heart. He was an endurance cyclist and afib sufferer himself. In short, he warns that too much exercise with afib may be counter productive and it can also sometimes reverse the results of a successful ablation.
Jim - I'm definitely aware that endurance athletes have a higher risk of AFib than others. I probably had AFib before I started cycling and do 2500 miles or less a year, so don't think I'm in endurance athlete miles. I do make a conscious effort not the run my HR too high for a long time. My EP was fine with me doing a 78 mile gravel race before the ablation and I need to see his thoughts at my 3 month post-ablation follow-up.
Thanks for the book recommendation and I'm definitely going to buy and read it! Two years ago I read two books on AFib by EPs, and fired my cardiologist and got an EP after reading them.
Thanks for the update and it looks as if you will be one of the many success stories! I think ectopic beats and even brief AF can be common for 3-6 months, even longer, after the procedure then all generally settle down.
well done👋👋 and thought I was doing well having a round of golf 10 days after my Cryo, 10 months on I still have ectopic beats/palps a couple of times a day, but only for a couple of secs….
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