Discomfort 8 weeks post ablation - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Discomfort 8 weeks post ablation

Stefcon1 profile image
14 Replies

So sorry to ask a question again. I live on my own and things get worrying.

Had ablation 8 weeks ago and after 10 days felt great. Walking well etc etc. 3 days ago I started to feel chest discomfort and aching in my back. My Apple Watch says I am in sinus rhythm and 65-75bpm but the trace is all over the place. Could this just be the heart scarring over and getting used to it?

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Stefcon1 profile image
Stefcon1
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14 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Just looks like poor contact or interference but if you are concerned please ring your arrhythmia nurse.

Stefcon1 profile image
Stefcon1 in reply to BobD

Thank you

Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62

Make sure the watch is fitting snugly and the touching surfaces (back and wheel) are clean. Also I find cleaning and dampening my finger first can help (not wet). It’s an electrical circuit you’re creating and the better the contact the better the reading.

You’re still in your recovery/blanking period so speak to your arrhythmia nurses about the pain or discomfort.

Hope this helps.

Stefcon1 profile image
Stefcon1 in reply to Buzby62

Thank you

bassets profile image
bassets

Best wishes xI had discomfort for a short while after my ablation but if yours worries you please het help.

Stefcon1 profile image
Stefcon1 in reply to bassets

Thank you

Princelover profile image
Princelover

If it helps I had aching in my back and chest from the day after the op and it took a few months to fade. I’d say I was still recovering 6 months later but vastly improved quality of life as no AF! I’d ask for another ecg to double check yours but found the pesky home devices only made me worry so all in the drawer under emergencies only filing!

Stefcon1 profile image
Stefcon1 in reply to Princelover

Totally agree. I’ve taken my watch off and filed it. Just made an appointment to get an ecg. That’s made me feel so much better knowing that you have had sensations/discomfort(for me it’s not pain as such). Thank you 🙏

Singwell profile image
Singwell

I think it's worth remembering early days yet for you. I know chest and back pains are worrying but it could be that this is just your nerves firing up a bit. We feel pain physically but it's the nerves that carry the messages and sometimes they work overtime. Getting your ECG and advice from Arrythmia Nurse will help set your mind at rest.

Stefcon1 profile image
Stefcon1 in reply to Singwell

Great advice. Thank you 🙏

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

The trace looks okay to me and shows NSR as there's a little blip (from the atrial contraction) just before the spike of the ventricular contraction. If you click on "Export PDF" and send yourself a copy to your email address, you ought to be able to then open the trace to fill the full phone screen. From there, you can take a "screen shot" and save it as a photo on your phone. You can then send a fuller trace here (I attach one that I have done like this below).

I also quite often get chest discomfort that can go into the back. I am never sure if this is cardiac or gastric (stomach) related - or perhaps both. An ablation can cause gastric disturbance, so what you are feeling might be linked in that way and, as it heals, all will again be well.

Apple Watch ECG trace showing AF.
profoftone profile image
profoftone

I am not medically trained, but a scientist good in reading diagrams and scientific articles. I would suggest you to go to the nearest hospital soon unless you always had this broad QRS complexes.

Stefcon1 profile image
Stefcon1 in reply to profoftone

I’m off for ecg today. Thank you

Karendeena profile image
Karendeena in reply to Stefcon1

Let us all know how you get on please

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