Hi everyone- I've only just accidentally found this forum and it's so wonderful to find others who have had AF and their treatments. I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF in November 2021- waited a year to see the cardiologist and was supposed to go back six months later to discuss Ablation. That six months has turned into two years and I now have been given a cancelation appointment next week. So within a week I have to decide the treatment I want. The cardiologist I saw was very overpowering and I really didn't like him much. His attitude was that any woman over the age of 65 should be on anticoagulants as a stroke preventive and he wouldn't listen when I explained that I do a number of things where I may get mildly injured, including woodwork and animal rescue work, and this would change my lifestyle. I suppose I'm lucky that, if I have the ablation, it will be done in the Papworth. I'm afraid his attitude was that they only have a 1% failure rate and I'd be back to normal within days- so it was very interesting to read how some of you have got on. Any advice on the ablation itself or on routine taking of anticoagulants would be wonderful please- especially the idea that all women should be taking them , as all my friends are well over 65 and none of them are on them. Is this something new ? Many thanks for any help- I'm finding this a little overwhelming.
Decisions to make about AF: Hi everyone... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Decisions to make about AF
Firstly regarding anticoagulation, AF makes us five times more likely to have a stroke so your cardiologist is quite right in your case. The bad news is that you should have been anticoagulated by now for at least four weeks prior to the ablation to ensure no clots are floating around which teh procedure could eject with drastic results. Yes they can do a TOE (trans oesophageal echocardiograam) to check but the action of ablaation iteslef can casue problem withoput adequate anticoagulation. There does seem to be some comunication problems I feel.
We (AF Association) produced two fact sheets on preparing for and recovering from ablation whcih I commend to you I shall post links below.
Regarding your life style, I have been on warfarin for nearly twenty years, do wild gardening in my half acre hillside, build race cars and engines using all manner of dangerous tools from chain saws to milling machines and lathes and have never needed any kind of treatament for injuries. On the other hand a stroke can really ruin your day.
healthunlocked.com/redirect...
healthunlocked.com/redirect...
Hi Bob D- I’d just like to clarify that my cardiologist doesn’t want me on anticoagulants because of the AF- he thinks that every woman over the age of 65 should routinely take them as a preventative. And I haven’t been booked in for an ablation yet, I’ve got an appointment to discuss it and decide. But many thanks for the advice
What is your Chads Vasc score if that shows you should be on anticoagulation then really you should. The AF is another point onto that score and the anticoagulation would protect you from a stroke which people with AF are 5 times more likely to have. I have been on anticoagulants for 8 years now and have not had to change my lifestyle one bit - again wild gardening as Bob describes though my garden is not on a cliff, skiing, sailing, climbing onto roofs and falling off - yes I know I am too old to be doing such things and so on etc. However, I do know that a stroke would change my lifestyle a lot. I only notice that I bruise more easily. If I cut myself - which I did just a few days ago with a new potato peeler - sliced off the top of my little finger I find no difference in the healing process and the amount or length of bleeding if it is more or longer it must be only a small amount seconds longer.
Usually you would be offered a cardioversion first to see if an ablation would work because a cardioversion if it only lasts for a day shows that an ablation would work. Howeve, as with ablation you must be on anticoagulants for a month prior to having the cardioversion. I had 3 cardioversions which kept me in NSR for 3 out of 4 years. Unfortunately, because I couldn't tolerate any kind of beta blockers, calcium channel blockers or rate control medication - they all made me feel worse than the AF I am only on apixaban and so asked to see an EP to consult for ablation. Due to the fact that there was only one EP in my area and I could have waited a while before seeing him I paid privately to see him first back in January 2020 I was due to have my ablation in April 2020 but as you can see from that date we were in lockdown then. the ablation was cancelled for various covid reasons 4 times in that year - the last time the cardio centre at the hospital had been closed because of an outbreak of Covid in the centre! Roll on to 2021 and I was luckily still in NSR after my cardioversion in February 2020 and my EP decided that I would have to have all my scans again as they were now over 2 years old to determine my condition before m,y ablation. Unfortunately, my heart had now remodelled itself - even though I had spent a good deal of time in NSR over the previous few years and so any further Cardioversions or an ablation would likely not work. So here I am in permanent~AF since discussing things with my cardiologist and 2 EP's in June 2021 and have worked hard to ensure that I continue to do all the things I always did despite AF. At the moment I am and continue to go to the gym at least 4 times a week, and do all the things I used to do. I do get more fatigued and breathless more easily than I used to. I watch my heart rate and pulse quite regularly and ensure that I hardly evern reach a HR of 120 even when exercising by using a heart monitor and chest strap at the gym and wearing a fit bit to monitor. I now forget that as I am quite used to the way I have to exercise. It took a long time to get that way as I am of the school of no pain no gain but that is no good with AF and me.
Is the AF actually affecting your quality of life? Nothing is a cure for AF. all treatments are about quality of life so if you find that The Af is not affecting your quality of life then why treat?
I hope your consultation with your EP goes well and that you can get an ablation early on in your AF journey as generally the sooner it is done the better and you are in a very good place to have an ablation in a very well respected hospital.
All the best.
That is indeed a strange opinion if you read him correctly. Within the Chads2Vasc2 scoring system there is a plus one for female which comes into play at age 65 but only if other co-morbidities exist. Against that there is a lage body of opinion that this is unecessary and should be discounted. Of course Chads2vasc2 only applies if you have AF.
I wonder if there was a misunderstanding or miscommunication here, women over 65 would only be advised to take anticoagulant because that raises their Chad-Vasc score by 1 and the Chad-Vasc would only be used if the woman had AF.
Female = 1 point and over 65 = 1 point
Women without AF would not be checked against Chad-Vasc as it is an AF management tool, so would not be advised to take anticoagulant.
Anyone, please correct me if I’ve got this wrong.
Bob - as you well know, the figure of 5 times the risk of stroke does not appy to people with Paroxymal Atrial Fibrillation.
Since madgrannyBeth won't know this I'll clarify my point, which is that the '5 x risk' figure came from part of a very large study done in the US called the Framingham Study. The Wolf study which was part of Framingham studied and calculated the risk of stroke in AFib sufferers - but people with Paroxysmal AFib were excluded from the study.
This is not to say that PAF sufferers do not have an increased risk of stroke but I do feel that this constant touting of '5 x risk' is scare mongering as well as inaccurate.
If you feel strongly about it then please take that up with the A F Association as that is what we are told.
Thanks Bob. I've approached Hidden to see how this can be addressed.
Thanks for following up with the AF association and do let us know what happens.
But regardless, as much as I appreciate this forum which they sponsor, they are only one voice and resource in the Afib world and their opinions should not be taken at face value any more than other accredited opinions and bodies of work.
As you've suggested, one of the problems with the "5x" statement is oversimplification. While it may be accurate for some afibbers, it may not be for others.
So, at least for me, "that is what we are told" is only a starting point and not an end point.
Jim
Hi Beth and welcome to the forum. Wow that’s a bit of a roller coaster, getting offered an ablation for next week! I think most on this forum will say go for it (though could be wrong!) And that’s based not only on personal experience but on an increasing body of research to suggest you’ll reduce some of the risks associated with Afib over time by keeping the Afib under control. If you’re symptomatic it can also be a huge relief as I have found 10 weeks on from my ablation.
And on the subject of risk - making a few small changes to lifestyle seems a small price to pay for protection against dementia and stroke that anticoagulants will give. And they certainly won’t be giving you an ablation if you’re not anticoagulated. It will be the first question you’re asked to avoid wasting their time - have you been taking your meds. I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find that nicking my fingers on knives, scissors and garden tools has not led to major bleeds.
The reason you don’t see more “success” stories on this forum is because those people tend to move on. But as I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, success with AF manifests in different ways to different people. Make sure you read the AF Association info sheets on ablation and preparation for ablation. Get stocked up with ready meals. Be prepared to rest up for a few weeks and let us know how it goes!
Hi rainfern- I’m sorry but I didn’t mean I’d got the ablation next week- I’ve got the appointment to make the decision. I’m not on anticoagulants because I’m only having AF episodes about every 4-5 months and they last less than an hour . I have lots of allergies including to some drugs and I never know how I’m going to react to a drug- I was put on anticoagulants when I first saw the doctor but I had a bleed within a couple of days and was taken off them as my gp doesn’t think the length of time I have the AF puts me at risk. I’m finding it all a little confusing but you’re replies are really helpful, so thank you all
Sorry I’m sleepy by the fire and didn’t read your post properly!
First, I'd leave the anticoagulant decision prior to ablation to the ep's at Royal Papworth. They have an excellent reputation and I would defer to them over any advice given here as we are not medical professionals, nor do we know the details of your case. So, if Royal Papworth accepts you for ablation, I'm sure they will take your full history and only do it in the safest manner possible, be it to put you on anticoagulants prior, or not.
But sounds like that the first thing is that you have to make a decision if you want an ablation or not and have to make it soon 
Unfortunately, you have given little information as to your afib burden, such as frequency and duration of events; how it's affecting your lifestyle; meds you are on, etc. These are some of the things people take into consideration in making that decision. Ablation isn't necessarily the right decision for everyone with afib, but it is the right decision for many. In the end, all that matters is if it's the right decision for you.
Should you get an ablation, again Papworth is an excellent place and you may possibly be offered PFA (pulse field ablation) a newer technology. Have they mentioned that to you?
As to anticoagulant in general, it's not as cut and dry as some here like to make it out. Like yourself, I was also reticent because of my lifestyle choices to take thinners and unlike another member, who posted earlier in the thread, I was not as lucky with a chain saw So I certainly would not be dismissive of your concerns. If you feel that your cardiologist was the "my way or the highway" kind of doc, a second opinion/discussion might be in order on the thinner issue.
Lastly, if you do have the ablation, be realistic. Don't know what planet your cardiologist is on regarding the "1% failure rate". If only Actually figures closer to 60-80% success rate over several years, depending on many factors. And repeat ablations are quite common. Also, forget that "you'll be back to normal within days". Maybe if you're very lucky, but more like weeks, or for some of us, months. Definitely read the recovery fact sheets as well as do search here on recovery from ablation as well as other independent research.
Good luck with your decisions.
Jim
Thank you for your reply mjames1. I worked as an ecg technician years ago and I’ve been a vet nurse, so I know that although drugs can be lifesaving they can also have detrimental side effects, sometimes years later. I didn’t realise I’d been having episodes of af every 6 months until I went to the GP during one and he did an ecg. Although they’ve speeded up a little they still only occur every 4-5 months, for about an hour. They do seem to happen late evening every time and I always wondered if there was a trigger, but I doubt if I’ll ever find out. I have lots of food intolerances and have had bad reactions to quite common drugs before- hence my worries. And the AF itself started just 3 weeks after I’d had my gallbladder removed- my first ever op. But I think I’ll have to consider the ablation because this is taking over my life- I seem to be living in fear of it happening and it’s restricting what I do. It’s so interesting reading all your comments- and very helpful
I'm still not clear if afib is actually impacting your life, or if it's the fear of going into afib that's the problem? Because if afib is not impacting you in terms of quality of life, then a Watch n' Wait approach should be considered. And since your episodes aren't very frequent, a home ekg device like the Kardia 6L might be able to give both you and your ep more information on exactly what is going on. Alternatively, or in addition, the ep may want you to wear an ep patch, however that will only record for the limited time you wear it, while with the Kardia you can record any time you feel you're having an event. Also, given that the events only occur late at night, you might want to discuss having a sleep study done to look for sleep apnea, which can can cause afib.
Anyway, good luck with the ep visit and do let us know what was discussed.
Jim
Regarding risk - Not all AF episodes can be felt so I wonder if you have been offered 24/7 monitor? Your GP can arrange that.
Assessing risk is both a mathematical calculation and a judgement call based on opinion so I agree with James - it’s the call of the EP. If you are over 65 and have even one episode of AF, you have risk but that needs to be balanced with the risk of bleed - if you have already had a bleed that will count in the assessment.
Sensitivity to drugs is an entirely different subject - you won’t know until you try and there are different brands of anti-coagulants and I maintain that it is often the fillers that cause problems as I can get on with some brands but generic brands often have different fillers and cause difficulty. It’s an excuse to use sensitivity, not a reason to not be treated and probably comes from fear and a reluctance to adapt. As Bob described, your lifestyle need not be affected, should not, because you take anticoagulants but as AF progresses - it WILL affect what you can do and it WILL be debilitating.
The uncertainty alone is already affecting you but how symptomatic you are, or not, will mostly affect the decision to ablate. In 2013, before ablation, I could hardly walk without syncope or near syncope when in AF and episodes were coming fast, 2-3 times a week and very fast - HR +150. I awoke from ablation - all gone feeling fantastic. Unfortunately I ruined the affect by doing too much, too soon and needed a second months later.
Bottom line - you will be very unlikely to be eligible for ablation without at least 2 weeks on anticoagulation so you may not have the luxury of choosing. If you don’t ablate and allow AF to progress your stroke risk will just continue to rise unless you take treatment.
Inform yourself of the treatment options if you don’t take ablation - drugs (I couldn’t tolerate any of them) cardioversion (rarely lasts for more than weeks) or surgery Mini Maze (invasive and hardly first line treatment and quite difficult to obtain in UK) or put up with it, which when it gets to persistent/permanent many people choose to do but they are rarely that symptomatic. AF affects us all very differently. Still have the anticoagulant issue.
Some triggers can be identified, hard work but you have a good indicator if episodes come in the evening - stomach lies very near heart and both digestion and vagal response will trigger AF - so careful with food and keep a food/synmptom diary. Eat small portions and careful how you rest. If your AF is only at rest, a little exercise and gentle walk after eating may help. The vagal response is like that - rest helps some like me whilst exercise helps others.
On the subject of making a decision - I found this blog useful
drjohnday.com/get-rid-atria...
His book is also well worth reading before you make the decision.
Sorry for the long post - I can go on a bit. Hope you find some of that useful.
I wouldn’t go on to anti coagulants because I hiked and did a lot of DIY and I was only going out of rhythm every few months. Then I had a heart attack because of a blood clot the day after a few hours of afib. I’m fine now but I still occasionally tremble at the thought I could have had a stroke rather than a heart attack.
Hi, I had a similar appointment in September after having PAF for two and a half years, been under reviews with cardiology but not an EP. Went to the EP appointment thinking I don’t want an ablation but I want to discuss whether I should have one or have an anti arrhythmia medication. My questions were all answered and clearly ablation was the advice, after explaining why and explaining the process in detail I was asked if I wanted to be put on the waiting list. There was no pressure and I decided to go on the list and keep my place, for an estimated four months, while I thought a bit more and got my head around it and I could change my mind if I wanted. I had the ablation two days ago, it’s too early to say if it’s a success but the experience so far has been a really positive one.
My advice is to read up as much as you can to understand the condition, how it progresses and your potential treatment options so that you can make a joint informed decision with your consultant.
Here is a link to everything AF on the AFA website, from there you can find further links to help you and scroll down for the information booklets.
heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
Hope this helps.
PS - You should already be on anticoagulant in my unqualified opinion.
The results of a chads2vasc test would be the best base indicator of whether you should be on anticoagulants (DOACS). You can easily self score, Dr Google will provide a link. On top of that you may also consider if you have an ablation scheduled (obligatoryI believe and for many weeks prior) and whether your lifestyle increases the downside risk of taking DOACS. The risk is less an increased incidence of bleeds rather the risk of more serious consequences should you have a bleed. I certainly wouldn’t be thinking you would have to give up your hobbies because you are on DOACS.
I’ve been on DOACS for years and often cut myself but rarely have I thought that it’s taking longer to clot than it used to. I’ve also had loads of jabs / blood tests and never an issue - no excessive bleeding. It does however make me wonder if the DOACS are effective with me 🤔.
One personal experience:
Several years ago I had a major trauma from MTB accident that resulted in apart from a damaged bike, a broken helmet (it did it’s job, no concussion), 9 broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung. I was pumped full of morphine and they managed to keep me out of iCU. but considered moving me to the trauma ward in Cardiff. I did have extensive bruising with a very yellow / black shoulder at the time and this may have been made worse being on DOACS and the blood in the lungs may have been worse but certainly no brain bleed and I believe, no longer term impact from being on anticoagulants. Maybe I was lucky, but I certainly won’t be making significant changes to my lifestyle, though I will be ensuring I use the most appropriate safety equipment and let everyone I’m with know I’m on DOACS so they can, if ever necessary, act and advise any medical teams appropriately.
Good luck with whichever path you choose.
the latest research shows that early intervention in AF is the best, and if you were being seen by my EP you would have been offered an ablation now, the earlier you are in the AF journey the more successful the ablation. Go to the appointment with an open mind. Take a friend or record the appointment on your phone. If you feel the doc isn’t listening ask if the discussion can stop please for a second or two as you are feeling pressure. Some on here will express the view that ablation is for when you are badly impacted by AF or the meds stop working. Another view is that AF is progressive and the earlier you deter / delay its onward march the better. Many on here had ablations under the old advice ie after some time on meds of various sorts and only when they are feeling things aren’t working. Such ablation a have a lower chance of working. Do go with an open mind and good luck!
OldJane You captured my thoughts and reasoning perfectly. My biggest worry was the risk of making things worse as I really wasn’t that bad with it. The EP reading my ECGs believed my one or two episodes per month for up to 24 hours were causing changes to the heart substrate (remodelling) and very likely to progress and reduce my chances of successful treatment. Now 3 days post ablation and feeling well, the rain this morning is helping me to be a good boy and stay put in the chair.
Hope this is helpful to all with the decision to make.
I'm another one on the Royal Papworth waiting list, can't wait to get it out of the way, but hope it doesn't happen before Xmas! I've been very 50:50 about the procedure, but on balance, and after taking note of all the comments on this forum and the written advice, have come to the conclusion it's a no-brainer (for me).
hi Beth
PAF for 8 years, two ablations, pathological aversion to beta blocker as they made me feel like a zombie! Currently on calcium channel blockers, flecainide and DOAC (by consultation with my EP), PAF not recurring after flecainide for three months, prior to that every three weeks or so for up to 12 hours
Was I right to have the ablations? Probably. Was I right to go on DIAC? Definitely! At the end, it’s your choice in conjunction with your EP, all the best
Would you consider a third?
I did, however the EP thought he would be chasing diminishing returns, it’s a bit more fluttering than fibrillation now. Hence the flecainide to control that, which seems to be working. Some minor shaking, but that could be the booze reduction before the Christmas blow out!
Hello and welcome to the forum. I find your question interesting particularly from someone who has worked as an ECG technician. AF has been around for donkeys years, so I assume you have some knowledge of the stroke risks associated with AF which can only officially be diagnosed by having an ECG. Here in the UK, the medical guidance for treating AF in the UK has hardly changed for years, so I was surprised when you say that you and many of your AF friends of a similar age, are not taking anticoagulants. You have referred to advice regarding your ECG offered by your GP. It’s my understanding that most GP’s are not qualified to analyse an ECG, so we always encourage members to seek advice from preferably an EP who are specialists in arrhythmias. I’m not medically trained but I’d be surprised if any EP did not encourage you to follow NICE guidelines because if you are 70 and have been diagnosed with AF, your minimum CHADs score, like your friends, has to be 2. As has been said, unless you sign to confirm that you have taken and will continue to take anticoagulants for an agreed period before and after the procedure, the ablation will be cancelled. What you decide to do after the period is entirely up to you. I have taken anticoagulants since 2014 and have made few , if any changes to my lifestyle and I have not experienced any problems.
I can see that there has been some confusion about ablations but as I understand it, your appointment this week is to assess your suitability to have an ablation at Papworth. If you are offered an ablation on the NHS at Papworth, you can be confident that they believe you will benefit from the procedure. Whatever your thoughts or concerns are now, I suggest you accept the offer and use the waiting period which will be several months to research what’s best for you. You can always change your mind, but I’d bet my pension you won’t!
You talk about members comments on ablations here on the forum. Nearly all the concerns we hear about relate to issues occurring during the blanking period which are all part of the “recovery period” which can be at least 6 months if not longer. More than 10,000 ablations are performed annually in the UK alone. Generally forums attract people with problems so bearing in mind we get few posts from people experiencing problems beyond the blanking period, perhaps it’s quite a successful procedure to have….
Just to be clear, they are just friends, not ‘friends with AF’.
I am in a similar situation and help out at a horse rescue.I am 66 and diagnosed with lone paroxysmal afib in 2020. I take Apixaban twice daily. I wouldn't want to risk stroke as this happened to my brother before he knew he had afib.
I am waiting for an ablation as my episodes are getting more frequent and lasting longer
My very knowledgeable Professor EP tells me that even after ablation I would need to take anticoagulants for life as there is no 'actual cure' for afib and you could still have episodes and not know it
I am a 56 year old female, I am prescribed 81 mg of aspirin as my risk of a stroke is low. I will need to take anticoagulants two weeks before an ablation to see if I have issues and bleed from them’, is what I was told, and continue the thinners for three months post ablation. Regarding exercise I can resume high intensity cardio training 5 days later… maybe you could take aspirin until you are prescribed blood thinners?
Just to clarify -- You were told you could start high intensity cardio approximately 3 months post ablation?
We all heal differently, but this corresponds well to my post ablation recovery experience.
Jim
Me-When can I go back to CrossFit ? EP ‘after 5 days’ -see bottom right
Sorry mjames1 you were right, I was wrong, 3 months plus 5 days gave me the logic I was looking for.
The three months post ablation is for the blood thinners. The five days post ablation is CrossFit. Sorry if it didn’t read well..
I have now edited my response so it reads better
I think going back to CrossFit five days after ablation is extremely bad advice based on everything I've read here, elsewhere and my own personal experience and what my ep told me. Five weeks would be optimistic and for me it was at least five months before I could exercise at pre-ablation levels. You only have one chance to recover properly from ablation, you do not want to blow it.
Jim
Thanks, Jim, I will certainly be seeking a second and third opinion before I rush into anything, this EP is probably late thirties, so quite young...
Firstly, Papworth is a great hospital so you are getting the best care. Secondly, no way was I back to normal after a few weeks, more like four to six months after each of my ablations and thirdly, the failure rate my booklet at Papworth had said 50-60 percent for a first ablation, 90 percent for follow ons. Sadly I'm one of that tiny amount they dohavn't help. You will have to be on 'blood thinners' to have the ablation at least xxxx
Although my ablations were for Flutter rather Fibrillation, I don’t think there is likely to be any material difference to recovery per se. (Edit: please see my response to mJames 1 below where I reconsider this statement 🤔) in fact, my second one was quite invasive with 26 burns - my EP was damned if I had to go back for a 3rd 🤔.
I didn’t join this site until after my 2nd Ablation so was unaware of the advised blanking period. I just followed the hospital leaflet advice which was predominantly about avoiding complications with the groin entry point for the catheter and avoiding lifting heavy weights. As it healed well, I was out walking 2 miles by day 2 and increased daily to 5 miles day 5. In week 2 I was running, cycling and swimming and checking back to my Garmin data, was able to max my HR out at 150, so exercising reasonably hard. I will however likely be taking it a bit easier next time. Fortunately I was relatively young at 54 & 56 and reasonable fit and healthy pre procedure. We are all different and come into the procedure from different circumstances, but I’d strongly suggest that nobody automatically assumes the worst but instead consider their own circumstances and listens to their body and adjusts their recuperation expectation / strategy accordingly.
All the best whatever your decision.
Recovery from aflutter ablation, especially typical right-sided flutter is easier than from an afib PVI. It's a smaller procedure and there is no "blanking" period in the literature. I've had both.
That said, your recovery and post ablation exercise progression seems a bit agressive.
I do agree you should not assume the worst and that you should listen to your body, but I don't think many should expect such quick recovery, esp from an afib ablation.
Jim
Yep - thinking about it, as mine were typical right side Flutter ablations, there was no need to pierce the septum and so less healing to be done. Presumably until healed, it will effect the efficiency of the heart and excessive pressure may slow the healing?
Knowing what I know now (and being older) I’ll certainly be returning to exercise more cautiously. My next one will likely be for AF and so the left side. Trying to hold it off at the moment but may have to accept the inevitable. It’s all about QOL.
Hi
Well, I was one of those 70s lasses who did not take any meds except B12 Solgar due to deficiency.
But I had an Ischaemic Embolic type stroke. With rapid persistent AF.
4 days in hospital I had a carotid arteries scan. The lass found a shadow on my thyroid which proved Papillary Cancer.
4 months later thyroid and 12 right sided lymphs out (2 affected).
I was put on 110mg PRADAXA (which I chose) x twice day.
It took a private H/Specialist to introduce CCB Diltiazem - tweaked down 180mg to 120mg AM (dropped 105bpm within 2 hours). and reduced Bisoprolol to 2.5mg PM for BP.
My h/Rate 24-hr monitor stays same at 47bpm avge Night over x 3 of them with each change of med. Metoprolol worse with 185 H/R Day no energy, fatigued and pauses show at night. I had the stroke at 2am.
He is right that if your CHAD score is 2 which you are - over 65 and female the risk of stroke due to clots grow.
We all need to take heed of our growing years. Risks are ours to work through.
I banged my head at the back with no immediate St John's action. I cut my left hand with the point of secateurs last Tuesday. It flooded my hand but I kept the pressure on it stopped - blood dripping on my fresh white trou!
With a sling on right arm as 5 weeks post rotor cuff operation. St John checked me and no paper stitch required just a tetanus injection (8.1/2 years ago last).
The 10am PRADAXA delayed until 12 midday.
Before ablation you need an ECHO, ECG and talk about results.
If your heart structure is abnormal as mine no above or anti arrhythmic drugs or cardioversion can be done I was told.
Read all you can about Afib and plan your life ahead. Ablation scars the heart to rid rogue electrical responses. Research and more procedures will come.
cheers JOY 74. (NZ)
My mother thought she knew better, and refused her anticoagulant for AF, and died of a stroke! 🤷🏻♂️
I am 79 and female and found anticoagulants came with either constipation or diarrhoea! Since I have been on a dose of Flecainide that has virtually put an end to episodes of AF, I stopped taking anticoagulants and I am still alive and stroke free!!
If you have any AF at all I would agree that anticoagulation is essential, even at younger age than 65. I had two minor strokes as a result of paroxysmal AF when I was 57. I had let the AF run for a few hours before taking flecainide. I have no issues with bleeding and regularly cut myself as am fairly practical (and wet shave every day). Dental work and extraction always fine too. Papworth is great, I’d take their advice every day of the week. I’ve had 3 ablations though and they don’t always last. I’ve had a few DCCV too and was on daily flecainide but have stopped for now as waiting for another DCCV and will start again before then. Meantime I’m exploring the possibilities of staying in AF to see how my body likes it. Hope this helps but I would never stop the Apixaban now.
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