Ablation

[lambretta1968]

Hi , I had my ablation done just over a week ago . They said it was technically successful, difficult to say if I feel better as I've had this viral infection for almost 8 weeks now , coughing up white phlegm. Should I be exercising?

[jeanjeannie50]

I would try not to do too much just yet, another week at home would probably be best. Short walks are ok but they really must be short as you are likely to tire quickly. Only you know how you feel after the ablation plus the addition of the chest infection.

Just be guided by your body and don't force yourself to do anything you don't feel up to.

Jean

[lambretta1968 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

thanks Jean , I'm off work . Being home alone is getting me down

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to lambretta1968]

Yes, it can be boring stuck at home. Can't you amuse yourself online with something like Facebook or reading one of the online newspapers. If you have a job where you just sit then you could go back earlier, but I don't think anyone will be pleased with you sat near them coughing up phlegm. How do you feel? It's sunny where I live, if it's the same where you are then just go out for a very short walk and get some fresh air in your lungs.

Jean

[lambretta1968 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I feel depressed if I'm honest with myself, 1 cardioversion and 1 ablation in 6 months , I know it's not alot compared to some but it's definitely taken it's toll on me thanks for your support Jean x

[Butterfly65 in reply to lambretta1968]

Hello there, I hope you start to feel a bit better soon.

I've been on a waiting list for a cardioversion since mid September.

Saw my Cardiologist last week who mentioned both Cardioversion & Ablation.

How long did your cardioversion keep you out of Afib for & did you feel any different?

I have quite severe symptoms at the moment.

I've only recently been diagnosed with Afib & HF but like most, I have no idea how long I've had both or which one caused the other.

[lambretta1968 in reply to Butterfly65]

hi, i also have HF which was hard to hear, I was told the cardioversion was less likely to work because of this but still worth trying it . I had it maybe about July , it was over after 10 mins , I knew nothing about it till it was done. They told me right away it hadn't worked. I was then on the list for ablation which I got last Monday, they told me it had been a success. Have 3 month review in March/April hopefully it still will be away . Everyone is different and the cardioversion may work for you . It's definitely worth trying . hope it works for you

[Butterfly65 in reply to lambretta1968]

Thankyou.

I've been told the same as you regarding cardioversion. I've watched a few videos on-line so I do know what to expect.

Doesn't seem that bad but I suppose until I've had one I won't know how I'll feel afterwards.

Must have been upsetting to be told it was unsuccessful afterwards though but I suppose we should all be prepared to hear that.

I didn't realise I'd have a such a long wait for an ablation if cardioversion wasn't successful though.

I know this has probably been repeated over & over, but it is the waiting for a diagnosis, appointments & for procedures, that worsens the anxiety & low mood we experience after we're told we have HF/Afib or any other heart related problem.

Do they keep you In hospital for an ablation?

[lambretta1968 in reply to Butterfly65]

I was only kept in overnight because I didn't get taken till 3pm . I was out at 6 so needed to stay . It's a horrible description HF , I think that makes you feel worse , overthink. Spring not too far away now so I think that makes life easier . hope you get on ok , sometimes you have to chase it up . i did as anxiety was through the roof.

[Butterfly65 in reply to lambretta1968]

I see, so it's normally in & out on same day. Agreed- It's a horrid description.

Let's hope we have a lovely spring, the extra daylight hours & milder weather always make me feel better.

Thanks for the tip.

[Karendeena in reply to Butterfly65]

I was kept in overnight. This is normal procedure in our hospital. My ablation was first thing in the morning

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Karendeena]

Same with me for all 3 of my ablations. Always stayed overnight at hospital.

[Butterfly65 in reply to Karendeena]

Oh ok thanks, so it is an overnight proceedure.

[BobD Volunteer]

Very gentle . maybe a short walk. See our fact sheet on recovery.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[lambretta1968 in reply to BobD]

thank you so much , really reassuring after reading it

[Iamfuzzyduck]

let your body be your guide. It also depends on how fit you were before the ablation. Honestly, if you didn’t have the virus and you were accustomed to exercising prior to the ablation then you could probably go back to the gym with modified exercises. I ran a mile on day seven and it was really difficult and so I didn’t try again for another week. For the social aspect I went back to CrossFit around day 10 or something and I really modified it but even now, 9 months later my cardio is not where it was, I have missed beats if I go above 150. So go really slowly and of course talk to your doctor…

[lambretta1968 in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

thanks, it's hard not to let it get to you sometimes. I'd be better if I didn't have this virus , had it for 7 weeks .

[Karendeena in reply to lambretta1968]

Sorry to hear this. I am surprised they did the ablation whilst you were unwell

[PurpleGirl05]

No, I would say too early for exercising. IMO, listen to your body really closely. At some point you will start to feel "normal" again, and like it would be OK to exercise again.

[Afibbingnewbie]

hope the Ablation does the trick for you , and you feel better soon 👍

[lambretta1968 in reply to Afibbingnewbie]

thank you 🙂

[Fefe09]

I hope and pray you feel better soon. Do get up and walk a little . It will take time to heal. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[lambretta1968 in reply to Fefe09]

thank you 😊

[jamestuart in reply to lambretta1968]

HI Lambretta 1968 i had ablation jan 23 took 6 month for every thing to seetle down i am still A/F free.

[Nantoone]

I really understand how you feel with anxiety. I had my ablation in July 24. Every blip pain or twitch in the heart area and I was thinking something was wrong. I developed a white phlegm cough after the ablation for around one month. I put it down to laying down in one position for too long. It wasn’t painful. More of a nuisance. After a week I did some housework and changed the bed sheets. An hour later I had my first af episode which they say is normal in the first three months of healing. That scared the hell out of me raising my anxiety hence why it has taken me so long to get back out there exercising. I was too scared to push myself. Do take things very easy for the first few weeks to give your ablation a fighting chance of being a success. I don’t work so being alone in the day took its toll on me. The winter months and the darkness make things more gloomy. I am walking the dog now a little further each day as my confidence grows Everyone has different levels of dealing with things. Some have no fear and some like you and I have a little more. I have put my Apple Watch away as I became obsessed with checking my pulse and doing unnecessary Ecgs. . It’s has been gone two weeks now and my heart is purring at the moment. It just goes to show how easy it is to fuel the fire. I can’t believe how much my level of anxiety has reduced by just doing short walks and not checking in on myself. Anxiety is definitely not good for AF. This group is great for support. Just keep posting and someone will come to your rescue. It will get better I promise.

[lambretta1968 in reply to Nantoone]

thank you so much 💓

[Jajarunner]

I was told I could run(!) after two weeks but in fact it was weeks before I could even walk much, but.i think I'm an outlier! But exercising with a virus is a.no no, as the body is already fighting that.I've written in tedious detail about the recovery from all my ablations on my blog "HHT and afib athlete" if you want more info. Best wishes 🙏

[lambretta1968 in reply to Jajarunner]

thank you

[Fullofheart]

Hi there I had 2 cardioversions and 3 ablations in one year a couple years back and I totally get the idea of it taking it's toll on you. I felt completely beaten up and broken. Battered and bruised. And yes it affected my mood as well.Slowly does it now. It really does take time to heal. I was able to do short walks after about a week, but they were short and slow. Remember what your poor heart has been through. I found it helpful to just get out for a coffee, have a short drive or short stroll, just to get out the house and to feel like I was making progress. But certainly don't rush it.

And do read the fact sheet that Bob has shared. That was very helpful for me.

Take good care. One step at a time!

[lambretta1968 in reply to Fullofheart]

thank you for your good advice 🙏

[Jetcat]

take it easy and put your feet up mate. Give your heart time to heal and rest. There’ll be plenty of time for exercising later. 👍

[lambretta1968 in reply to Jetcat]

thanks mate

[Sixtychick]

I hope you feel better soon and your ablation was successful.I’m sure a lot of us feel anxious and get depressed sometimes. A fib and other heart problems, are not nice to have.

[lambretta1968 in reply to Sixtychick]

yeah your right , they aren't nice to have 😥

[CliveP]

I ignored all the advice regarding an early return to exercise after my ablation. My thought was that my body needed all its resources to recover from the procedure. Your heart has been through some fairly serious disruption. Giving it time to recover fully before stressing it seems sensible to me.

I did nothing for a week. Then nothing but short walks with the dog. I walked incredibly slowly for no more than a minute at a time then rested for a minute before continuing. I wore a heart rate monitor to be sure my hr remained low.

I returned to work after 2 weeks but took it extremely easy. Lots or rest periods and absolutely nothing strenuous.

I slowly increased my walking but didn’t re-start running until 3 months. Again, I started at little more than a shuffle with lots of walk breaks and built up from there.

For me it worked as well as I could have hoped. I’ve been AF free for over 8 years now and run and exercise as much as I like. I run races and can still be modestly competitive in my age group so I’m glad I didn’t rush back to exercise and risk setting myself back.

[Redactrice in reply to CliveP]

8 years...I can only dream.

Very sensible advice you've given.

[lambretta1968 in reply to CliveP]

wow , that's brilliant it's been 8 years

[wilsond]

Just to add you may very well.find your ejection fraction ( the method used to determine HF) improves after the ablation. Mine was 42/44 ,classed as HF but now 60,well within normal range.

Others have found this too.

HF is better described as heart inefficiency really , something is affecting the pumping action. Agree outdated and negative term.

Try to get outside at least once a day,even just pottering in garden or around the block slowly.

Best wishes ❤️

[manabouttown]

If you're coughing or have any breathing/lung issues then do not exercise as this will strain your heart

[lambretta1968 in reply to manabouttown]

thank you

[Vonnegut]

Amazing that your ablation was done while you had a viral infection but perhaps the doctors didn’t notice it!!

[lambretta1968 in reply to Vonnegut]

There was so much coughing from almost everyone in the ward.

[2learn]

Hi, I don't wish to sound too negative cos my last ablation lasted for over 2yrs, good. But something patients are generally not told probably so as not to frighten them is that the stroke risk from an ablation continues for about 30 days after the actual ablation so thats the kind of time scale you should be looking at for taking it easier. I had a stroke 16 days after my ablation, heart consultant said thats not uncommon and a known risk. So exercise in moderation especially if you have an infection which could cause extra stress on your heart.

[Snowgirl65]

A bit too early to exercise yet, in my humble opinion. I'm sure you must feel isolated -- a medical procedure and also dealing with your viral infection. Any hobbies you can engage in to take your mind off it all?

[Buffafly]

Are you sure it’s a virus? HF can cause a cough and phlegm. I would keep moving gently but not push yourself.