Thoughts on preventing more arryrhmias. Now 2 ablations down, on having been persistently in AF

[Turquoise19]

Just checking in , after my review with my Electrophysiologist . 2nd Ablation was Feb 23rd 2022.

He says I am doing very well, for where I was in persistent and a lot of arrythmias, when he ablated.

Also on my asking about prognosis that hopefully this will now sustain, with v short episodes of AF, as is the case now 2 mins or so, a month or less. (I think half an hr, in May, bit of a blip then). Would also like to make it less, or gone.

I asked him hoe does this compare to the general population and he said they don't have the data. Nor for follow ups longer than 3-5 years. He said people don't stick with the research. (Though I wonder if a few people in here would do it, for peace of mind, more access to care)

I have my BP well controlled now, which helps.

I also told my EP I still take 1.25mg bi-daily. As when I don't I seem to get chest pains. Plus I have felt my return to exercise fitness has been slow, still behind older or v average runner/cycling friends. Am also definitely not over pushing myself.

He said he thought the 1.25mg might be putting the breaks on. Yet such a low dose, may not be doing much for my heart. So I left wondering about trying to wean off, which I still haven't done yet.

Yesterday I cycled to work, my usual route and my HR went up quite high, no AF or arrythmia but got 135 intensity points in one day (garmin watch HR monitor). HR peaked at 144 on my Garmin whereas other days, same distance/effort I may get O and HR stays at 105/10, on or off the betablocker.

Plus yesterday I definitely did use the betablocker 1.25mg am.

Today, working from home, I have been getting mild chest pains and resting HR up to 70bpm -75, which is high for me. I took another 1.25mg today, when it was clear it wasn't going down. Ectopics maybe. It's now settled.

Anyways, in brief appreciate hearing how others are doing in working to keep the AF away??

What are you finding useful to work on, for longer term recovery and giving it a best chance of not coming back. Or what have you been advised?

EP has ordered a CT angiogram, re the chest pain.

I am aware of advice on weight, stress etc

Be great to hear experiences and thoughts

[lwm1198]

An ablation five years ago - no more AF or arrythmias but higher HR ever since - like 120 during exercise walk, and a rest rate in the 80's. No pain or shortness of breath however....so my DR and I are satisfied.

[Turquoise19 in reply to lwm1198]

Sounds like you are very happy with your outcome and things are more settled for you. V good to hear that. Do you mind if I ask if you exercise much, or are trying to ? Thanks v much Wendy

[lwm1198 in reply to Turquoise19]

Mostly walking, post covid not getting back to gym where I used stationary bike and aquacize.

[Turquoise19 in reply to lwm1198]

Thanks Iwm, so do you find you are mostly AF free now ?

[lwm1198 in reply to Turquoise19]

Yes, haven't had any episodes now for five years...been discharged from the doc who did my ablation. Still see the cardiologist and take metoprol and elliquis.

[jeanjeannie50]

Its good to hear that your EP is arranging a CT angiogram for you. I had one before having my very first ablation. The following is standard information of mine I put on this forum from time to time, you may have already seen it.

Having had AF for 18 years, three ablations (where they go up through your groin to burn or freeze the inside of the heart the rogue pulses often come from) and numerous cardioversions (electric shock to put the heart back into it's correct rhythm) my advice to everyone diagnosed with AF is the following:

1. Be Aware you are most unlikely to die from Atrial Fibrillation (AF). I used to think that the way my heart bounced around I would surely be found dead next day. Still here though!

2. Changing your diet to a more plant based one, avoiding any foods containing artificial additives, not allowing yourself to become dehydrated, cutting back on sugar, alcohol and caffeine, also losing weight (if it's needed) will all have a beneficial effect on your AF. Artificial sweeteners were a sure trigger for my attacks. How I wish I'd known all of this before having any of my ablations. Would I have listened if anyone had told me? Probably not, because I believed ablations would cure me - three didn't! They have helped some people though and my AF now is not so severe.

3. This is a hard one, but looking at gadgets that show your pulse and AF will make you anxious and anxiety feeds AF. I was obsessed with what my heart was doing for about the first ten+ years of my AF journey and my attacks were so debilitating I'd end up in a hospital ward, it has taken me a long time to take my mind off this subject and get on with living. The less I think about it, the better I feel. Now I used to feel cross with people who suggested I stop looking at my pulse rate machines, I thought that their AF couldn't be as bad as mine and they didn't understand how poorly attacks made some of us feel. I would get cross with anyone who said they could still go on holiday and carry on life as normal. They made me feel evil, by not understanding how ill I felt! In our minds AF is only as bad as we have experienced, for some attacks are mild for others they're more severe.

4. Make sure you don't slouch, or unwittingly do shallow breathing while watching tv or if you're online. If you do your heart will protest. Also avoid tight clothing around your waist or chest.

5. Try supplementing with magnesium, any type except oxide (I use glycinate from YourSupplements and also take taurine, zinc, vitamin B complex, D3, K2 & C). I feel fine and there's little I can't do now, despite being in constant low rate AF. Or at least I think I am, I don't check these days.

6. If you are over 60 years old, I would make sure that you’re taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner) to prevent blood clots forming and causing a stroke. Note that they do not thin the blood in any way, just stop it from clotting so quickly. You should not notice any major difference in the way you bleed.

I hope this info will help you, it has certainly helped me.

Jean

[FSsimmer in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jean, thank you. I think that is very good advice to us all with persistent Afib!!

[Turquoise19 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yes thanks very much Jean, I do remember your posts. And generally I think I mostly do these suggestions in picking up from you a d over regular posters, so I take magnesium tarantella and K2, D3 etc. I take K2, D3 and calcium in one supplement together.

Btw, do you mind if I ask what dose you take of K2, as I hear it can also work as a blood thinner a bit. I do take anticoagulants and BP meds.

My EP says that they don't know uch on long term recovery cos the research is too expensive and people fall away from studies. But I am thinking people in here would be up for it, for longer term monitoring!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Turquoise19]

I take 100ug of natural vitamin K2 MK-7 which is made from Natto Extract by Vitabright. I take Warfarin and my blood levels were not overly affected by this vitamin. I don't know how it would fit in with any of the NOAC's

Sometimes I look at all the supplements I take (7-9) and think I could be a lot wealthier without them. Perhaps I could afford to have holidays then.

Jean

[Turquoise19 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for that Jean, yes I am also taking lots of vitamins. I am on Edoxaban- a NOAC . I already take a Together Bone Aid that has calcium , vit D and K, combined 100mcg of K2, was wondering about taking a bit more K2 to protect my arteries. Tho mindful of interactions with meds.

[mav7]

Sounds like you are doing well.

My only advice is to follow your doctor's advice about taking the beta blocker at prescribed intervals (not good to wean off without approval) and insure he approves of your exercise regimen.

[Turquoise19 in reply to mav7]

Thanks Mav, yes just to be clear my EP consultant would have had me off the betablocker ages ago. But the arrythmia nurses are more up for using low dose betablockers for managing symptoms and prevention.

I am finding every other day 1 2mg bisoprolol is helping me keep my heart steady and not straining. I am trying my best to not have another episode. Hence my uery in here, for what others find helps.

I was 53 when I had my first presentation which went straight to persistent. 2nd one 2021, 2nd ablation Feb 2022 and so far more steady, with v brief episodes of AF for 1-2 mins at a time.

[lwm1198]

Walking has been my go-to exercise, anywhere from20 - 45 minutes or about 2 miles. Not gotten back into fitness classes except for a ballet water class.

[Turquoise19 in reply to lwm1198]

Thanks Iwm. So are you happy with your progress or do you feel it limits you?

[lwm1198]

Even when my heart rate spikes, I don't feel bad and none of the other effects that should have warned me something was off (lightheaded, racing pulse) so I am indeed pleased with the outcome.

[Turquoise19 in reply to lwm1198]

Good tobhear that 🙂