My doctor keeps pushing me to consider having an ablation procedure done. I'm eighty and take 50 mgs Metropolol because the doctor reccommended 75 mgs left me totally out of breath when I skied or walked the dog briskly. I doing better on the 50 mgs and the doctor didn't seem to object on my recent visit as long as I continue to take my 2 eliquis pills daily. Comments welcome.
MY QUESTION: Can anyone tell me a success story about their ablation operation. All I ever read about seems to be problems and worries after their 1st 2nd, 3rd etc. operations. Before I'd ever consider an ablation procedure I'd need to read a bunch of personal success stories how their ablation change things/life for the better and their experiencing no more worries, surprise relapses and feel they are problem free. Thanks for any replies.
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Daver112
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What you have to understand is that people for whom an ablation works first time are away enjoying life not wasting their time on this forum. Some of us do stay to help others but I think we are in the minority.
I haven't had an ablation and no plans to while my AF is being well managed with medication and AF burden is low.
However, when I do I know the chances of success varies from person to person, largely because we're all different and it's your circumstances and the quality of your procedure that will determine your outcome, not the experience of others. Your EP is the best person to talk to about what you should expect from having an ablation (success rate, temporary impacts on your life, recovery period etc) as he knows your medical history, heart condition, AF burden etc and presumably he's done this hundreds or thousands of times. He will also know how it has impacted all of his patients - good and bad.
I understand why you want to hear some good news stories about ablation but you will be more informed by discussing YOUR ablation prospects with your EP.
bean_counter 27 says ........... "I haven't had an ablation and no plans to while my AF is being well managed with medication and AF burden is low ".
Totally agree but I also have to throw in the influence of food/food ingredients.
That was the decision I made shortly after my paroxysmal AF diagnosis in January 2010. For me it was a long slow process but ultimately successful. I was 65 at the start, be 80 in September 2024. The last 4 years have been AF free, although there has been an occasional blip, particularly over the last few days in the early hours.
"Totally agree but I also have to throw in the influence of food/food ingredients."
Yes, definitely a factor but probably less so in my case. My only food/drink trigger I'm reasonably certain about is alcohol and that's only if I drink too much. Stress and dehydration probably have a greater impact on triggering my episodes than anything I eat. It's difficult to tell now as I'm fairly certain my medication is preventing a lot of episodes that would previously have been triggered by my diet, except overindulging in alcohol.
Your comment ........ "fairly certain my medication is preventing episodes" ... so correct, am really sure thats true to. My other problem is having been diagnosed as asymptomatic ! Like is the medicine doing its job so well that I don't feel anything OR its not doing its job and I don't feel anything because I'm asymptomatic.😱😱
"Like is the medicine doing its job so well that I don't feel anything OR its not doing its job and I don't feel anything because I'm asymptomatic."
Yes, asymptotic AF can be a "double-edged sword". However, your medication's job isn't to stop you from feeling episodes. It's job is to prevent/minimise adverse impacts of AF. What does your doctor think is happening?
My Dr is a grade above amateur First Aider ! We don't talk ! Why should we .... she insists on an appointment which can be at least 10 days away .... even longer ! By that time AF has already taken the lead and put me in A & E or its got bored and disappeared. I doubt my GP could even read a Kardia ECG. All my GP is - is a workload distributor - once an appointment request flags up one gets interrogated by some inadequate Admin type, referred to GP who then refers the medical issue to someone else in the practice who is inappropriately qualified to deal with it.
I hope you get your issues resolved ASAP. I don't understand how ending up in A&E can be seemingly be ignored by your doctor. When I've been to ED at local hospital, they report details e.g. diagnosis, notes, copy of ECG etc back to my GP. If heart related then GP would refer me straight to cardiologist. GP basically follows direction of specialist i.e. issues prescriptions for medications determined by cardiologist. I doubt my GP would change my heart medications without consulting with my cardiologist - or alternatively, referring me to him for direct consultation over changes which would then be communicated back to GP.
Sounds like you need to find a new doctor or your doctor needs to find a new job! I presume this is all because of NHS? I haven't heard anything good about NHS.
I live in Australia and our public medical system can be problematic too. However, our health system provides rebates for a lot of medical services provided by the private sector, which I pretty much use exclusively. I saw my GP yesterday for extended consult (prob 45 mins). Cost A$150 but get $80 back from Medicare. Been using same medical practice for 30 years so I suspect the $150 was discounted. Saw a "travel" doctor the day before (a different practice -updating vaccinations for overseas travel) and it cost $225 and rebate was still $80. The rebate is based on the service provided rather than the charge. We complain at times about the wait times to see our preferred doctor but the service we (my wife and I) get is very good.
I travel 400+kms (each way) to see my cardiologist. He used to travel to the city I live in (private operator contracted by public health system to provide service in regional area in Western Australia). However, he stopped doing during Covid and I had to choose whether to stay with him or be handed off to one of his colleagues who still visits here. I chose to stick with him as I trust him and currently only need to see him once a year. It also provides opportunity to plan and coordinate other activities during the trip to see him. My view might change if/when my AF becomes a major problem but I'll worry about that if/when it happens.
Hopefully some changes to your meds and your AF settles back down. It must be fairly traumatic if you're ending up in A&E. Doctors who don't have empathy for their patients shouldn't be doctors!
I sure am ... Nebivolol 3.75mg. - along with all the other stuff, Warfarin, Felodopine, Ramipril - just waiting to hear from Surgery Pharmacist about a steroid injection I had last Wednesday into my left shoulder 😊
I read your post about your current heart wobblies following your steroid injection. It sounds like that could indeed be the culprit. I hope you get it resolved soon and get back to your longstanding NSR!
I had an ablation on Dec 14, 2023. After 2 weeks of near constant afib, things settled down and I’ve had three episodes since then. I can rationalize triggers for each. In mid-March I went off a low dosage of propafenone (50mgx3 daily) and have had one of those 3 episodes since.
So I’m feeling optimistic that I’m on the right track. I’ll see the surgeon later this week for a follow-on visit where I’m guessing he’ll cautiously declare victory.
I’m very glad not to have afib hanging over my head on an at least several times a week schedule even as I was pushing the limits of the antiarrythmic medication. I’m no longer tea-totaling, but I do still avoid caffeine.
I’m feeling for this, I’m developing a good story.
Morning. I am now 80 and have just had my 4th ablation. This one was Atrial Tachycardia. I have been very active all my life playing tennis, badminton, and the last 20 years golf. Also did Scottish Country Dancing and now Square and Line Dancing. Feeling puffed after exercise was not an option so I agreed to this last ablation as want to continue being as active as I can. Your EP can only give you advice but ultimately it is your decision. It was a no brainer for me as my quality of life was being compromised. So glad I went ahead as my irregular heart rate has now settled down. I will take it easy for 3 weeks and gradually ease myself back into my various activities. Another reason for me going ahead with the procedure is the ability to get travel insurance again as without it, I would be uninsurable sadly and I want to return to cruising again. I love it and have missed it.
I had a PVI CRYOABLATION in January 2018 for paroxysmal AFIb , and I have not had any AFib attacks since.I have not taken ANY AFib associated drugs since May 2018.
I was 58 years old when I had the ablation, was fit and healthy with no comorbidities.
I did not tolerate well the Rate control drugs I was on physically ( or mentally). They had side effects.
I am 75 and had a successful first ablation 7 years ago. I had AF for about 8 before that. When the AF started to affect my tennis I decided on an ablation and feel so much better from doing so. Now able to play sports with no problem.
Had cryo ablation about a year ago. Only one afib episode at the six month point. Able to get off all rate and anti-arrhythmic drugs. I consider the ablation a big success.
I have only had 1,which tackled both AFib and AFlutter. June 2022 and only had a couple of episodes of Fib( both times accountable for) no flutter at all.Recovery was very steady and I felt ' normal' again within a few weeks ( although some people have different experiences)
I am waiting to see if they want to do a retouch( but that was based on a review just after the incidences and unlikely to need now)
Also waiting to wean off meds apart from Apixaban ( elequis) same reason.
Energy back,brain fog gone. Fully aware Fib or other arrhythmia may come back / begin at some point but would have another without hesitation.
Hi Daver112, my own experience of Ablation is that it has been, so far, very positive. After approx six years on meds for PAF it was very politely pointed out to me (Cardiologist) that since my increased AF episodes including several bouts of pre syncope and 2 A & E hospital visits that perhaps I would should like to consider RF Ablation. To put it bluntly I was scared shitless about the whole procedure but having done as much research as my tiny brain could stand including consulting this extremely helpful forum, I got it done last October and have since been AF free. Long may that continue & while it does it leaves me free to recover from other ailments of old age🤣 BZ by the way still ski-ing at eighty 👍
Before you venture down that track, I recommend you to ask for a 24hr heart monitor whilst you are on Metoprolol.
Ringing bells started in my head when after a stroke with rapid and persistent AF, and then diagnosed with thyroid cancer, Metropolol is not the beta blocker of best choice but Bisoprolol is better for AF patients. I was on it back in 2009, 47.95 was OK but then a new Dr doubled it and was almost put in hospital because I could not breathe.
After a year my BP went low and I was taken off the 47.95.
When offered it at stoke I said NO because it will ..... but I was ignored and told that I could reduce it.
I was breathless, so fatigued that I could not exert myself. And slept a lot.
At 1 year 4 months the heart specialist that I asked for, put on a 24-hr heart monitor. I was breathless on any exertion.
Heart-rate 186bpm Day avg with little exertion but PM my heart was pausing for 2 seconds x many times.
I started on Bisoprolol. Again put on 24-hr heart monitor after GP kept upping my med.
Day Heart-rate 156 avg, no pauses at night slightly improved but my heart rate NOT CONTROLLED.
She left me there.
I was sent to private H/Specialist she recommended.
Put on CCB Calcium Channel Blocker which helps arrhymn, and heart rate.
My regime on meds:
CCB Diltiazem 120mg AM controls my Day H/Rate 60s. It leaves alone my stable PM H/Rate avg at 47.
BB Bisoprolol 2.5mg (reduce 2.5mg) PM controls my BP.
All the best!
cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)
*** Metoprolol is NOT recommended for AFers or Asthmatics.
AF free since then. I do feel the odd ectopic or run of ectopics but this is usually just before I go down with a virus so I use it as an early warning system.
Like BobD says, people that have a successful outcome usually don't visit the forum anymore.
If there were not a good success rate I'm sure the NHS wouldn't offer ablation for AF
I'd happily have another if/when the need arises.
My brother had an ablation 3 years ago and is still NSR, and has never visited this forum
Hi Daver, I’m one of the people who are sticking around on this forum following a successful ablation last October. I feel great now, but prior to my ablation had quite symptomatic persistent AF.
I would not have considered ablation for myself had it not been for attending a public talk given by an EP whom I was able to chat with after the talk. my GP would have had me on medication the rest of my life. So as you can understand I’m very pro ablation.
I had mine Feb 28 and a week later I was walking and a month later doing low impact . Next week I plan to add weights ! My resting was always in low 50’s and now in 70’s!
I was so worried about the surgery but others on her had reassured me. It was as easy as they said it would be for me. They couldn’t trigger my Afib but had a good idea from scans. If I have to go back now , it’s going to be much easier as I know what to expect. Recovery was easy and I was slightly elevated. Time went fast .
My groin healed quickly but I did have minor nerve pain in my big toe afterwards. This is related to where they went in the groin I am told. It’s getting better now. This is rare.
I would still do this again rather than live in stress of Afib and going to the ER for cardio versions. That impacted me more mentally than The ablation.
I had persistent afib which required dc cardioversions each time, a total of 17 in 4 years. I also had a cardia arrest on one of the antiarrhymic drugs. My afib was horrible. I elected to have a pvi ablation, the first one was only completed half way because I developed cardiac tamponade. (bleeding inside the heart sack) The second one they completed the first. I was better, but still had episodes that were somewhat controlled by flecainide, then it quit working and the dc cardioversion was a failure also. I was on cardizem to keep the rate slowed, that kept me weak and muscles in that legs had painful spasms and weakness. We did a 3rd ablation last April and they found the area that needed ablated was the back wall and floor of the heart, which was currently in a trial study at the #1 heart center in the US, The Cleveland Clinic. They would not give any idea of a success rate, BUT I am off antiarrhymics, only taking metoprolol and warfarin. I have had some occasional fast heart rate, no afib and in normal rhythm 99% of the time. I go back in July, for me, my life is back! No comparison, hope this helps. Mine has been a rocky road and many ER visits.
I had an ablation in September last year. I had AFib and SVT and they ablated both. When I had my follow-up appointment, in February, he said it went well and he hoped I’d be free of both now. I hope so too🤞🤞Trouble is, you’ll never really know, unless it comes back, unlike having your tonsils or something taken out.!!! The worst thing I had after my ablation was the absolutely massive bruise in my groin. I had to stay on anti-coagulants, so hence the big bruise I should think. I had to stop the Sotalol tablets for 2 days before and because of that, my AFib returned the night before my ablation, so had to go to A&E because my heart really races and my blood pressure soars. They transfered me to the hospital where my ablation was taking place, the next day and all went well with the procedure. I also got a lot of ectopics for a few weeks afterwards, but the very helpful people on here, told me it was a common occurrence and so helped me to stop worrying about it. I am in the process of stopping the Sotalol, after many years of taking it, so going very slowly. I’m now on half the dose I was on. Just a bit worried about stopping it completely, but been ok so far. I have to stay on ant-coagulants for life though. I am sure you’ll be fine. It’s a common procedure now for AFib and I should think most Doctors have performed it many times, but everyones experience is different. You just have to hope for the best and look forwards to an AFib free future.. Good luck.
I had just one, which left me in a worse condition than I had been, offered another, I refused. I thought ablation was going to enable me to live a normal life, come off all drugs etc.etc., after the failure, a pacemaker. again I thought, great I can come off these b.drugs, I was wrong as 8 years later I am still on drugs! I too am 80.
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