6 months post ablation

[Balgaj]

First of all I want to say thank you so much for this wonderful support group. It has really reassured us when we have been unsure about symptoms and treatment for AF.

My husband is 59 and had a catheter ablation in March 2023 for paroxysmal AF. He's off all his meds and apart from sporadic AF in the first few weeks, it's gone really well.

We just have a Q. He sometimes feels like he's getting AF but when he checks his pulse it's raised but normal for him since ablation. His pulse increased after ablation from 50 to 70/80 which he was told was to be expected.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

We're just wondering what this is?

[jeanjeannie50]

Yes, I've seen lots of reports on this forum from people saying their heart rate can be slightly raised for up to a year or more after an ablation.

Unless your husband is super fit, a rate of 50bpm may have been a little on the low side.

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

All perfectly normal. Tell him to stop checking and get on with enjoying life. Noy easy but worth it long term

[Balgaj in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, he's doing it less often since his ablation but it's a hard habit to break

[Jalia]

This sounds quite normal. I've been through all this. Try to stop checking your pulse. It can become almost a ritual! You might be feeling an odd ectopic which makes it seem that AF is starting up again.

You'll soon know if you're in AF again without checking your pulse I'm sure .

[KMRobbo]

Increased HR post ablation is not unusual and there was an article I put on HU a few years ago that inducated that increased HR was linked to sucsesfull ablations!Mine was raised about 10bpm nitially but over the last 5 years has decreased again.

[Snowgirl65]

I was told in my info sheet after my ablation(s) that a higher pulse rate is normal for a few months after an ablation. Mine indeed did that, but eventually went down to its normal levels.

[Sozo]

Yes, his story is mine!! My doctor said it is normal! I feel so so much better after the ablation so I don't give the heart rate of 80 no mind much of the time. I am at 7 months post ablation.

[Ppiman]

Hi - I think I can relate to this. The feeling that AF is about to happen often occurs when my heart rate steps up a little as this often brings along some palpitations caused by, I guess, a few ectopic beats. I doubt that it's anything to worry about - but that is easier said than achieved.

Steve

[Balgaj in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve. It usually happens when HR is more noticeable like at bed time. Reassuring to hear other people feel it too.

[stoneyrosed]

It sounds like it is trying to go into AF but the pathways have been destroyed by the ablation. Which is a good sign. I am certainly no expert on this so I would wait for others to respond before accepting my response.

[Balgaj in reply to stoneyrosed]

Yes that's what he says it feels like but like you is unsure if that's what is happening