treatment

[Johnspin21]

hi everyone I’m 63 and I had my first of AF about 3 1/2 years ago they did a cardio version and after that I was okay, but now it’s returned, my question is should I go for the cardio version again or would an ablation better .

[BobD Volunteer]

Cardioversion is not a cure for anything. It just shows you can be put into NSR.

[jeanjeannie50]

Are you saying that after your cardioversion you were ok for over 3 years? If so I'd go for another one of them. Ablation technics are improving all the time and will hopefully become more and more successful in time. I've had 3 radio frequency ablations,,the first two made my AF worse. A third one appeared to help (or was it me cutting artificial additives out of food and drink). I'm now in constant AF but at a much lower rate of between 65-90 and I can cope with that.Jean

[gtkelly]

Johnspin 21,

I’m 69. First diagnosis for me Nov 2019.

3 cardioversions since then. All returned to nsr. After reading many contributors on this website I am happy to take meds prescribed by cardiologist and have good understanding of what triggers my arrhythmias.

I’m in good health, not overweight and have no other conditions. Take anticoagulant and light dose of heart rate med (bisoprolol) daily.

Have considered ablation but feel good by mainly following basic sensible diet and lifestyle plan inc walking/yoga/golf/gardening. So not going down ablation route, for now.

Key for me: avoid alcohol, over exertion (exercise/recreation/diy), stress.

Ensure to stay hydrated, sufficient sleep/rest, healthy diet and exercise but not to extreme.

Working for me anyway 🤞

NB I am not a medic. They are your first port of call. This website however is littered with nuggets of Afib gold.

[Rainfern]

Hi Johnspin, you were lucky with your cardioversion, I had a couple for persistent AF, both of which kept me in NSR less than a week! My ablation has been far more successful and AF is gone. As Bob says, CVs are as much a diagnostic tool to see if ablation is worthwhile.

You really need a good chat with an electrophysiologist (EP) to have your questions answered because there have been advances in research and procedures as well as in the knowledge and experience of individual EPs. I booked a private consultation with an EP (despite being an avid supporter of NHS) and this gave me the time and expert advice to know my choices and discuss the risks both of the ablation procedure and of leaving the AF to run its course. The same EP whom I saw privately performed the ablation under NHS.

I believe the vast majority of ablations are successful these days - if not the NHS is wasting vast sums of money! However, the rogue cells can always jump the gate and if I find myself back in AF I shall be back for a touch up ablation with confidence.

[Johnspin21 in reply to Rainfern]

Thank you for that , I have had a chat with a cardiologist privately and he said my GP should refer me straight to the arrhythmia clinic where the treatment options would be discussed he said ablation would be best . And would save time, I still haven’t seen a cardiologist on the NHS .

[Rainfern in reply to Johnspin21]

My EP works both privately and with NHS so was able to get me on the waiting list.

[OzJames]

My first episode corrected itself when i exercised, AF came on average once every 5 years and corrected the same way. That went on for 29 years and no medication so about 5 episodes. Since 2022 I’ve had 4 or 5 episodes and 4 cardioversions. About 12 months ago I went onto low dose metoprolol and Flecainide. I’m fit and healthy and have identified triggers which I try to avoided. I’m waiting for ablations to improve in accuracy which may happen in the next few years like real time MRI guided catheters being used in Trials now. Maybe speak to your Cardiologist get your heart checked to confirm structure is sound or EP as you might go another few years without an episode.

[Johnspin21 in reply to OzJames]

Thank you for your reply, I’ve had a echo done and heart, valves, etc are all ok ,

[Johnspin21 in reply to OzJames]

What sort of exercises did you do ? If I do anything like walking, or even going up the stairs my heart rate goes haywire.

[OzJames in reply to Johnspin21]

You have to be careful if your heart is that erratic maybe speak to doctor before trying, its interesting as it seems AF seems to affect some people differently. I'm on the low dose drugs now so if i go in AF my HR at rest is in the 70's and during exercise 90-140 but before that if i went for a run it went high. In fact when i did the stress echo when in AF in 2022 and on no drugs i was up to 190.

With exercising keep in mind i was a lot younger at 35 when i worked out exercise got me back to sinus. I would jog in the park to warm up then do short 15 sec sprints with 15 sec rest. Did that 4 times and i was back in normal sinus. Since 2022 a bung knee has stopped me from trying as i can't get that intensity. I bought a static bike 18 months ago and its only worked once getting me back to Sinus the other 2 times i had a CV. In the earlier years a jump in cold pool or shower has also worked but again maybe seek permission before you try

[Johnspin21 in reply to OzJames]

I’m on 2.5 Bisoporol, which keeps the heart rate in check resting it will be around 70-90 , but soon as I move around it’ll go up. Waiting to be seen at the arithmetic clinic. No appointment yet

[OzJames in reply to Johnspin21]

Keeping your HR at rest between 60-100 is what you’re looking for. Quite a few of us here have triggers and by identifying them we manage to reduce the AF and the random ectopic beats everyone gets. Next time you get your bloods done ask to get VitD3, magnesium and Coq10 checked you could be low.

Think about your sugar intake, spicy rich foods, going to bed too soon after eating, reduce or give up alcohol and caffeine and stay well hydrated as this can bring on AF when dehydrated and electrolytes are depleted. See if any of these things improve your symptoms

[Johnspin21 in reply to OzJames]

My AF doesn’t come and go mine is constant, if I’m relaxing it’s between 70-90 . Last time I had AF was three and a half years ago,and was fine until January when it came back , I was determined to loose some weight before my holiday in February, and had been going to the gym almost every day , I think I over done it and that is what triggered this episode.

[OzJames in reply to Johnspin21]

you could be right… but have a think what else happened around those days that it came back, what food or drinks you had.. did you have some poor sleep. or were you dehydrated especially when you exercised… in 2022 after no AF for 5 years I flipped back in after going to Pilates a couple of days after my covid booster. I stayed in AF for a couple of months before I was cardioverted.