post ablation activity

[Be-still-my-heart]

I am not sure if I am doing too much. Ablation was on 22/9 and I push myself a little more each day and stop if I get a bit of chest pain.

Assume it is normal to have some chest pain - it’s mild. ?

[mjames1]

Please report to your ep. I had similar, and was diagnosed with post ablation pericarditis, not uncommon after ablation. Ep put me on a short course of Colchicine, an anti inflammatory. I also had to cut back on my activity. Finally resolved completely.

Jim

[jeanjeannie50]

I didn't have any pain at all after any of my 3 ablations. Did have a twinge one night in the week after having my first one. This was when I got up to take the electric under-blanket off my bed. I felt I could feel the wires digging into me (was doing my princess and the pea act). I told my GP the next day and he told me to just take it as a warning not to do much and let him know if it happened again - it didn't.

Like Jim has said I'd run it past your GP as it's almost 3 weeks since you had your ablation and you may have an infection.

Let us know how you get on please.

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

Not normal to have pain after the first few days so please discuss with your arrhythmia nurse and read our fact sheet on recovery.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[Be-still-my-heart in reply to BobD]

Thanks and I have spoken with the arrhythmia nurse who assures me it’s normal

It’s very mild and I guess I do push myself. If it gets worse I will go to GP

Thanks everyone

[Blearyeyed]

Hopefully this pain is just because you are pushing yourself too much too soon.You haven't given any details of what activity you are doing so it's hard to compare what you are doing to the advisable gentle exercise and moderately paced activity in the first month after an ablation. What have you been doing in general?

But there could be other reasons for concern in regard to your chest pains as other people have mentioned so it is advisable to speak to your EP or GP and have an examination just to make sure all is as it should be. Take care and slow down until you get some answers , Bee

[Be-still-my-heart in reply to Blearyeyed]

So I have been out in town - averaging 10,000 steps. Usually I am out for five or so hours but if I feel I have done too much the. I try and rest the next day. Have carried shopping and been doing housework/ ironing etc so on my feet a lot.

I don’t have terrible pain. I am just aware of it and also notice it more after I have eaten at night but not indigestion. Arrhythmia nurse did not seem worried. .

[Blearyeyed in reply to Be-still-my-heart]

Wow. That's a lot of strenuous activity early on.Especially if you have also been less active up to the ablation.

Carrying heavy objects , hoovering etc are also jobs that can cause some extra strain especially in the first 2-4 weeks after a cardiac procedure.

If you notice it more at night after food if can still be caused by stomach acid , GERD , even if it doesn't feel like your usual experience of indigestion.

GERD can cause pain in the chest and breathlessness not just burning or trouble swallowing.

If your day has been overactive and your body has been under stress from over exertion ( even if mentally you don't feel like you've been doing that much or you are still a bit slower than your old normal ) this can also cause stress induced gastric reflux.

Which medications do you take , and are you taking a PPI?

Your medications taken without a PPI or without food can also cause a build up of gastric reflux ( GERD) during the day which can get worse at night as you relax.

It can also cause stomach acid to enter the oesophagus while you are asleep if there has been an increase in acid which can cause chest pain.

It's a good idea to sleep with both head and shoulders gradually raised on supportive pillows and sleep to your left to reduce this.

I assume the arrhythmia nurse was not worried only because they did tests that showed you were not in Again at that point.

To be frank , if you had told her how much you were doing I'd be highly surprised that she didn't suggest that you slowed down and had a proper check up , most knowledgeable cardiac professionals would.

Even if an ablation is a success you do need to give your body to e to adjust, recover and gradually progress to a well balanced and well paced daily routine which may need to be a bit more relaxed than your old normal.

Over exertion and too much physical stress can bring on these symptoms even in a person whom has not had cardiac difficulties. Take care and get a check up Bee

[Be-still-my-heart in reply to Blearyeyed]

Ah ok. I wasn’t aware that I was doing too much and the nurse didn’t see me she just spoke to me over the phone.

I take Edoxaban and Bisoprolol and have been sleeping with shoulders raised.

I think maybe I should slow down - I just didn’t realise- prior to the ablation I went to the gym 3 x a week and did a fair bit of heavy lifting (i have a coach). In the 8 weeks before the ablation I stopped training as the AFib was worse due to a chest infection and it just didn’t go away for long.

The leaflet I was given at the hospital just said no strenuous sports for six weeks and rest for 48 hours so I just carried on as normal (but no gymOr heavy shopping).

I may see if I can get checked out. Thank you for taking the time to answer it’s very helpful

[Blearyeyed in reply to Be-still-my-heart]

If you had a chest infection this may also be a factor in your recovery and chest pain.It can take time to find your " New Normal" and although you've had an ablation and take medication it's also wise to look at your " Old Normal" and see if there are ways that you can improve your health and stress levels in general to create a balance of activity and relaxation into your pattern of living.

Take care , Bee

[kkatz in reply to Be-still-my-heart]

Way to much .At just over 3 weeks I might have been doing 3-4 k steps .even at 6 or 7 weeks I would have been carrying shopping.I went back to my excercise classes at 6 weeks and had to wait another couple.You have scars trying to form and just cos you can't see them remember that.

Now at 8 months and managed a steep incline today no probs which is an achievement.But I had my 75th yesterday .

[Be-still-my-heart in reply to kkatz]

Happy Birthday and thanks for responding- appointment with EP booked for Monday

[Jetcat]

I never had any chest pain after my ablations TBH. but I didn’t do anything for 6 weeks, apart from a general short stroll to shop, and plenty of feet up time.👍 you may be doing too much too soon.? Remember your heart has had a battering and will be feeling a little sorry for a while.???

[MarkS]

I had some chest pain after my ablation, which was quite extensive involving both cryo and RF. I think the pain lasted about a month before finally fading away. I stepped up my activities after a week, gradually increasing to almost back to normal after a month with swimming, gym, etc. Your muscles start to deteriorate after a few days of inactivity so it's important to start some exercise. That was 14 years ago and I'm still pretty much AF free after the one ablation.

[ETHEL103]

Sounds like you've overdone it a bit.10.000 steps is a lot.I think start with a 20 min walk then increase every other day.

[Brizzy50000]

Do nothing for 2 weeks except use the tv remote, then you can lift the kettle to make tea etc but do nothing strenuous for at least a month and to me 10,000 steps seems a lot to me, I had my ablation over 5 years ago and have been AF free since, so just take it easy and relax

[Be-still-my-heart in reply to Brizzy50000]

Thanks for taking the time to respond I saw my EP yesterday and he says nothing I have done will have caused my episodes of AFib and he has changed my meds. He also says that in my case I can carry on as before (although I will take the weightlifting slowly). Having CTC today just to check that there is no heart disease. Chest pain is mild but feel happier getting it checked

[Cookie24]

I had some soreness breathing in for a couple of weeks. They said it just a little inflammation

[Snowgirl65]

I had minor chest pain -- only after doing something I shouldn't have -- after all three of my ablations. It wasn't actually a pain, more like a slight ache. The heart's a muscle after all, and I shouldn't have lifted what I did. It was no big deal, and quickly left.

[Dippy22]

I had NO pain post ablation. In fact if it wasn’t for the incision scars in my groins and some tiredness, I wouldn’t have known I’d had anything done. I’d get that checked out asap.

[Be-still-my-heart in reply to Dippy22]

Thanks I have tested for a couple of days and feel ok. Going to see my EP on Monday