I have been offered date for ablation in December which I have confirmed. Ironic thing is that, following a period of having had an episode of AF practically every other month for 18 months, I have been AF free for the past 6 months! Now it's weighing heavy on my mind as to whether I should leave well alone for time being and go back to the back of the queue, or go ahead with the ablation regardless. I know it'll be back at some point so the answer seems obvious, but would just appreciate your wise words and advice.
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Sputnik56
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I think I'd ask to go to the back of the queue. My first two ablations actually made my AF worse. It was the third that really helped, also by then I'd learnt how important diet was and avoiding artificial additives.
How long do your AF attacks last for and are they really disabling?
Episodes are up to 9 hours with HR around 150-170bpm. Flecainide doesn't touch it. Infection/ inflammation seems to be one of my triggers, as is stress. My diet is good, don't drink. AF is just such a flipping nuisance. Nothing is guaranteed but think I'll regret if I prolong the inevitable.
AF is a hateful condition.That 9hrs you're experiencing is a long time and at quite a high rate if it stays like that all the time. Have you changed your diet at all to have been AF free for 6 months. Artificial sweeteners were a sure trigger for mine, just wish I'd known that before having any ablations. New ideas/procedures for curing AF are emerging all the time. There really is no hurry unless you are having attacks frequently or they are disabling.
I'm with jeanjeannie50 on this and would incline towards waiting and seeing...
I got very close to going the ablation route about nine years ago and then listened to my inner self which was saying, quite forcibly, 'don't do it'.
No regrets, and I still don't medicate, even though my afib has become marginally more intrusive over the years. I tend more towards short-lived eps more often rather than thinly-spread long-lasting ones. I just accept it now as part of who I am and have yet to nail any very specific triggers — in either direction! Have a good idea of the headline ones, tho!
I have echocardiograms every couple of years, paid for now as it's near enough impossible to get one on the NHS in Scotland unless you're showing symptoms of actual heart failure. I've joined the ridiculously long waiting list for an NHS nurse-practitioner afib clinic appointment as a strategic move to see if I can wangle a spot on the echo wait list for 2024/early 2025! If that doesn't work, I'll just pay again and go privately this time next year.
Lots of exercise, fresh air, really, really high-quality food (around 70% organic, the rest locally-produced, zero UPF), meditation, stress management, energy-based healing, and a bunch of other strategies all help.
But it in the end boils down to what feels right for each one of us — there is no single answer and there are risks and benefits associated with every single choice we make, health-wise and more generally.
Good luck on your next step, Sputnik56 , whichever direction you take.
Jean long ago brought me round to her view on ablations. You might also think about paying for a private consultation to discuss the condition of your heart, the possible prognosis of your AF and the likely success of the procedure. This will need to be based on an echo scan that I guess you must have had. I would then be guided by the specialist's views. I would ask about the likely need for a second, and perhaps third procedure, and, not to be negative, but whether permanent AF might be the eventual endpoint, despite all. If an ablation is likely to offer you many years in between relatively free of the symptoms, then only you can weigh this up and value it.
As an aside, I can't help feeling (it's no more than that) that one day in the future cardiologists might look back on this procedure and say among themselves, "They did what?!" There's a very fine anthology of women's poetry written during the First World War, called "Scars Upon My Heart". I always think of that title when I reflect on my own ablation, four years ago. It went very smoothly and cured my atrial flutter; but it brought in its wake infrequent bouts of atrial fibrillation, briefer than yours, so far at least, and something I have been able to cope with by taking a small daily dose of bisoprolol.
As I’ve said before I’m not sure when my husband went back into AF after his ablation which eventually caused his stroke . He is in permanent asymptomatic AF and is having a cardio version tomorrow morning . They’re hoping his heart function will improve if he is I. Normal sinus rhythm even if it’s Jist for a while as he has fast AF also. Hope you do what’s right for you but I hope it doesn’t return and you have an extra long wait x
It’s a tough one. So you may feel you have at this moment a remedy for your issue, “Ablation”. This can make you strangely calm knowing you have a back up plan, if you decide to remove your back up plan it can be funny how the heart can misbehave. I am on the side of Bobs, get it done at an early opportunity to give yourself the best chance of a successful outcome. If you call the cardio to cancel and the next day AF strikes, you will be so annoyed with yourself. Only my opinion of course, the choice is yours, and perhaps run your thoughts over with the cardio is a wise thing also. Good luck on whatever you decide.
Yes I agree with you as I think my husbands must have lasted at least 6 years having only started feeling unwell about July this year .
Personally, I would stick to the plan and go ahead with the ablation. It’s never an easy decision but as a general rule, AF is not know to improve over time unless some fairly dramatic changes to lifestyle, or improvements in non-AF conditions such as thyroid etc have been made the original diagnosis. Assuming your AF did return and you decided to back on the list, you will probably remain in AF for about a year and that will not bode well for a successful procedure. Only you can decide, good luck with that process…..
If it was me I’d take Bobs advice and go for the ablation. But I would say that, because I just had an ablation 6 weeks ago and am feeling a lot better for it! My AF was low-level persistent, so that kind of made the decision for me.
I could have written this post myself, I have a date in 3 weeks time and currently enjoying one of my longest periods between episodes for some time. I keep telling myself it’s best to intervene early before it becomes more problematic. I am a little more focused I suppose on doing the right things (or not doing the bad things) leading up to the procedure which was postponed once a week or so ago.
Sorry I don’t have your answer but read the replies with more than a little interest.
Good luck!!
Edit: It’s the next day and I’m in AF since 4am, not very symptomatic as long as I take my time. Teach me to keep quiet!!
A hypothetical question - how would you feel if you were told that you are not a candidate for ablation but can only be managed forever, with medication? Would you feel that's my dilemma answered, or be distraught ?
I haven't had an ablation, I'm symptomless, but do take bisoprolol (1.25mg and Eliquis), in my case it's familial but my son had one 16 years ago (extreme athlete), so I asked the Cardio if I could have one - he said no, my lungs weren't good enough (I think when I was diagnosed the pulmonary artery was involved). Although my son takes no medication, has never had another episode, carries on normally, I have read that sometimes ablation does nor necessarily mean you are completely free of medication. Perhaps someone could confirm this, or have I just misunderstood?
This sounds like a good reason to go for an ablation to me. Personally I'm leary of ablation but since I'm managing my PAF quite adequately with Flecainide at the moment my situation is different to yours. But if the medication you're relying on is making you feel 20 years older I think that's what needs to be addressed, with or without an ablation.
Good luck with whatever you decide, this condition is no fun at all.
Yes my husband is on 10mg a day and he feels the same . The cardiologist said after cardio version he will halve the dose as his heart rate will go too low …..if it works 🙏
I'd probably discuss this with your Consultant, it's a more complicated choice than many may think.Although it's usually better to have an ablation sooner rather than later with AF , if your condition has stabilised for some time on its own many Consultants prefer to do the procedure during active periods because it makes it easier to complete a more accurate and successful result.
If your AF condition is self rectifying at the moment , it may not be required.
You can contact your specific Specialist by phone or email via their Secretary and explain your current symptoms and general health and ask to speak to the by phone to discuss what would be the most sensible option in your individual circumstances.
If you don't have these details you can be put through via hospital reception by asking for the Secretary of...... ( Your Specialists name).
They may still consider that it's wise to have it now based on how bad your AF was previously.
Or , rather than discharging you or putting you to the back if the queue they could choose to monitor you and assess you in three months or six months time.
You can also request that as an option and ask if you can have a number to call if or when the AF occurs again to fast track you to get the procedure then.
Everybody has a very individual experience and needs for treating their AF , and it's not just based on whether it's active or not at the time a procedure arrives. It is also decided considering increased risks that there may be if you have other chronic illnesses or have cardiac issues in your family history. So double checking and making a decision with your Specialists view is a must.
Let us know what you decide, and how you go if you choose to have the ablation , take care , Bee
Quite a common dilemma, I would pay for a private appointment with your cardiologist to discuss in full as there are many factors to review including your personal subjective preference before you reach the right joint decision for your individual case. There is no substitute for this and surely must be worth it.
Bear in mind your input is essential (ie don't leave the decision to the medic) and I suspect a key factor will be your lifestyle choices and how quickly you can improve them eg stress reduction is a big issue here.
We can only offer opinions that tend to be coloured by our own experience.
tricky decision to make. If you go for the any and it makes the af worse you will be gutted ? Maybe wait till more advanced procedures like pulse field becomes widely available? I’ve had 2 ablation and can’t say it’s made my af go away. Best of luck
You need to go for it. You may be having small runs of Afib that you’re just not feeling. Those incidents are just as dangerous as a nine day one. My first ablation allowed me 6, blissful years with no afib. I just had my second one a month ago and have not had any incidences since then knock on wood. Just as long as you’re comfortable with your doctor and you feel like he or she has experience then you need to get it while you can.
Having been in exactly the same situation some years back I went ahead with the ablation . It didn’t really work as I still had episodes over the next 2 years . I then had a follow up procedure which was longer and more thorough. Since then I’ve had 3 mild episodes lasting a couple of hours over 16 months so it n my case I think I did the right thing .
Just out of curiosity did you have a cardio version first? as my husband is due for one Tom ,if bloods coming through today are ok. I asked what would happen if cardio version didn’t work and she said an other ablation would be on the cards . This is his first cardio version so not sure why he didn’t have it first time around . I think you would kick yourself if you cancelled and it came back as soon as it has stopped . Good luck
I have my first ablation tomorrow and thought I probably don’t need it having been AF free for many months.
This morning however my AF has kicked back in with a vengeance! So personally I am happy to be getting an ablation. I had fooled myself thinking my AF was gone away but clearly it was lurking ready to pounce.
Thank you. I am quite anxious about the whole thing but also grateful to have a chance to at least reduce the AF. I will take it easy afterwards as you wisely remind me x
I said something similar yesterday on this post and my AF kicked in 4am, carried on slowly this morning and now reverted to NSR 12:30ish. Good luck tomorrow, mine is in 3 weeks 🤞
Thanks and Good luck to you also for yours in 3 weeks. I am quite anxious about the ablation not working etc, but I know I am lucky to have this option offered, so I am grateful as well.
After my first high rate AFib attack the CardioIogist who eventually became my EP told me that if I have had an attack once, it will come back. It could be on 1 day , 1 week or even years. After I had 13 attacks in 20 months with increasing frequency and length, I had a cryoablation almost 6 years ago. No Afib since. Also no meds , no med side effects, ,no med shortage problems, no med changes , no hospital visits, no holiday insurance problems, no backup plans checking where the local hospital is when on holiday or away with work. no worries no stress . Just no hassle!
I was 57 years old, fairly fit with no co-morbidities and no known triggers
I had an ablation 8 weeks ago and have just read your post. Glad to hear you’ve gone that long without Afib and I hope I’m as lucky. Just reading what you put, about not having to check where the nearest hospitals are, when you go away etc, I can relate to that. It’s just what I do and you’re right about increased holiday insurance costs. We gave up going on cruises, after 15 years, when the insurance got more expensive and I was worried in case Afib started while I was on the ship and I had to go off the ship into a hospital.—- - I have been told by Doctors, to go into A&E when I get AFib, as I get very high blood pressure and very fast heart rate and they need to keep an eye on me and try and stop it. We bought a touring caravan last year and will just stay in the UK now, so I’m hoping my ablation will be successful and I don’t have to worry about getting an AFib episode again and having to look to see where the nearest hospital is. 🤞🤞 Hope you continue to live your life without any Afib.
No. I was not on A/C at all until 25 days prior to the ablation. I stayed on them until after my post ablation review which was 4 months after my ablation.I believe they followed th CHA 2 DS 2 VASC system.
I think it's interesting how some people get offered ablations with very infrequent AF and others don't. When I was paroxysmal ( nearly 20 years ago) I was told I wasn't a candidate for cardioversion or ablation even though my AF was a very regular experience. Then after a decade of constant AF (having been discharged and told to ignore it essentially) I was offered one ( after a hospital admission) even though (by then) the chances of success were slim and much damage had been done.I had 3 ablations last year and 5 months after the last one I achieved nsr. I think the EP and cardiologist were as surprised as me. For me, I had to try as I was very unwell, meds weren't getting HR down and I was borderline/ mild heart failure at 47. It was a last shot, and well worth it for me. If I was in your shoes I'm not sure I would at this stage. But, this a decision for you. Only you know how much of an impact its having on your life and how much you want to be shot of it.
I would have the ablation as planned, I had a minor version of your matter before my first abalation, with a few weeks AF free before the procedure, for full disclosure my first dd not get rid of AF but the second one did I have been in sinus rythmn since November 19 2020 (the day of the second ablation)
Hi sputnik, it’s up to you at end of day but I’d go for it now. Because soon as you cancel it and put phone down your AFIB will be back.??? That’s just my luck.???
I did just that ,postponed it as I was not having any episodes of note.Then 2 x 5 and 6 weeks of continously symptomatic AF and Flutter came out of the blue !
Sods law. Had to wait then,with frequent episodes ( albeit shorter than the first two whammys)
So glad to get it done!
Think about why you decided to opt for it and how you felt at the time.
Also,I fear with the state of the NHS there may be consideration of costs for ablation,not classed as life-saving but quality of life.
Just my experience. My ablation, originally, was delayed as I'd got missed off the system. Then, as I felt better and had about 10 months AF free I put it off a couple of times. Sods law, it came back again and I then had to wait another 11 months for an ablation.
Sadly, as it was persistent by that point, the ablation only kept the AF at bay for about 6 weeks and they noticed an issue with my mitral valve when doing the ablation.
The AF has caused my left atrium to enlarge, which has pulled the valve out of shape, so I'm now on a waiting list for valve repair surgery.
Currently in nsr due to a cardioversion last year, which has held, fortunately.
If I had my time again, I would have had the ablation at the first opportunity.
I appreciate that not everyone is the same, so can only give you my experience.
Hmmmmmmm I would hang fire personally.i have paroximal Afib 2 and a half years..hasn't got any worse..DOESN'T ALWAYS PROGRESS....I have had it mentioned to me..the way I'm looking at it is...is it really bothering me daily...not really..im only on a little bisoprolol no blood thinners.. do I have my heart scarred if hopefully the way medicine and Ai are evolving so fast will there be something different in a couple of years..all the best whatever you choose friend..🙂
I had a Cardioversion which restored NSR after almost a year of persistent AF. I decided there and then to get an Ablation as soon as possible. The reasons were: 1. I felt massively better in NSR and wanted to give myself the best chance of staying that way; 2. I knew Cardioversion is not a permanent fix; 3. I knew my best chance of a successful ablation would be to have it as early in my journey as possible and preferably whilst still in NSR; 4. Ablation has been around as a procedure for long enough to show that the lesions created do not cause any problems in later life; 5. My cardiologist supported my views.
I had the ablation two years ago and although I still have odd bouts of arrythmia, I have been AF-free and feeling good ever since. The procedure itself was nothing to worry about and I'd have another without hesitation. One of the best decisions I ever made.
I'd leave well alone! Which I am doing, as far as having a pacemaker for PAF, and 37 BPM bradycardia. It doesn't affect me, so I've refused the pacemaker and the bisoprolol.
I understand everyone's point of view but personally I would go for the ablation anyway. It is a progressive disease and I was told it would only get worse as you get older leaving you with fewer options. From what I've read, ablations have a good chance of success if you have paroxysmal AF but is less effective if you are in persistent AF which could happen as time goes on. My own episodes started about 10 years ago and after diagnosis, were coming about 9 months to a year. They gradually became more and more frequent until about 2 years ago, they were coming every week. I then decided to bite the bullet and have the ablation which I waited about 20 months for by which time the episodes were every 10 days to 3 weeks. I had the ablation in August and although I've had 2 AF episodes since, I think it has worked (so far!) and I'm glad I did. One of the other people having their ablations when I did told me he had left it for 17 years and was in persistent AF. After his procedure, he was told it had proved difficult and unfortunately they hadn't been able to stop the AF so he thought he had left it too long. Your choice obviously and I wish you well with whatever you decide
Well if it isn't, I stand corrected. I was told by my first EP that it was progressive and would get worse as I got older and everything I have read has backed this up. I can only say what I have been told but if this is not the case, maybe there is hope for some people
I wasn't being awkward love..I was airlifted to hospital with a heart rate of 280 dropping to 40 in arrithmia..long story short canular with whatever meds bought it down..overnight stay..it was thec2nd day after 1st ASTRAZENICA COVID JAB...the cardiologist said enjoy life but cut down on drinking..wind on 2 and a half years went private to see a cardiologist at Nuffield Hereford had a 10 day monitor showed afib and bit a flutter im very symptomatic..he spoke about ablation but said your 59 now...its not going to worsen so just make an appointment yearly and see me..I don't get it..get quite a few skipped beats thumps then 5 fast beats slow beats..🤣🤣 not often tachycardia but doctor or cardiologist won't put me on blood thinners minimum of 60..ive just turned 59 September 🤣🤣🤣 its all daft..x
Good point, it might not be progressive for all but you won’t know unless you wait and see and for some (maybe most) it may have progressed too far then for the treatment to be successful. It has to be a discussion with an EP, they have the knowledge to identify signs of progression or change in substrate as they put it from your ECGs and test results. Still a difficult decision.
It’s strange how some people know they are having episodes but my husband didn’t have a clue until he woke up feeling ill he couldn’t feel anything but I listened to his chest thinking it was asthma and it was his heart beating scarily fast , hence the stroke two days later . I’m also contacting pals because I want to know why he was put as zero on the chad scale for risk of a stroke when I took him to A and E two days before, when he had an ablation in 2017 for the same problem . His heart rate was nearly 170 when we arrived but they just sent him off with amprimil and not even offered thinners , two days later he had a massive stroke .
Bless him..hope his recovering or recovered first I knew about afib was 2 days after having ASTRAZENICA COVID JAB..I felt unwell. Long story short ambulance guys done ECG and stuff at home and said you need air ambulance hmmmmmm didn't feel that bad. But heart rate was 280 dropping to 40 and irregular...iv,d meds bought it down and stabilised...let home next man with a week of bisoprolol...age 57..paroximal afib now age 59.still get odd bouts but more bumps skips thumps and misses than complete tachycardia..I have a very tiny dose of bisoprolol but both doctor and cardiologist don't want me on thinners yet I've actually asked the question...noyour not 60 yet minimum!!!!! Chad score is low but both parents had, had strokes and dad several heart attacks...because I've done natural bodybuilding since age 18 and am still doing weight and dog walking 4 miles min daily they don't seem concerned...I don't know....
I had my ablation 5 years ago when I was 65, now I'm only taking rivaroxaban, all other AF related drug's I have not taking for four and a half years, good luck with whatever you decide
Your question comes at a time when I was considering the same thing. But my episodes are dominantly flutter and have been approx. every 4 months for 30 minutes each and all revert to sinus. And the thought I have now is considering seeing an EP with only minimum flutter sooner or later? Yet I do know it's a progressive disease and every one is different with it. Whether it progressives in weeks or not until years. I'm lucky to be in a public health system but at the same time it's a long, long wait to see someone. So I'm also debating... get the ball rolling now? or wait it out? Super fast flutter feels like "hell" for even a half hour.
Hi! I’m sure that you’ll receive many posts about this!!
You obviously have to listen to your own instincts but for me, having fast AFib with a resting heart rate between 150-170 and feeling so awful and it happening every few months, I decided to do it.
That was less than a month ago, so I’m still healing, but still very hopeful!
Afib is so unpredictable and will reoccurs when you least expect it. I would definitely go ahead, as it will take a few months to recover, all wasted time IMO.
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