Ablation After care

[Donkster]

Let’s see if we can start a post about how people are after there ablation procedure as this seems to be a hot topic.

[Nanne]

Just wondering why you're asking. Have you had one recently. I had one 5 years ago and although the procedure was easy to go through and I was very well looked after I was absolutely wiped out for weeks afterwards. I felt worse than after my heart attack. It was as if I'd had major surgery. It took me about a month to feel anything like normal and although I have tried to get back to level of activity I was doing before the procedure it has actually left me much weaker, but with much less AF

[Donkster in reply to Nanne]

Morning Nanne

I have started this post off because I had an ablation for SVT 5 days ago and was searching the internet for how others feel afterwards there is loads to read but not current it seemed a good thing to start as many people are interested.

Myself after having my ablation feel pretty good but have odd feelings in my chest we’re they ablated me and like you very tired 💤 the ectopics seem to have gone just left with what I think is repairing pains from having it done ✅

[Shoshov]

Can I ask what an ablation is

[Donkster in reply to Shoshov]

Hi Shoshone an Ablation, also known as catheter ablation, is a treatment that aims to control or correct certain types of abnormal heart rhythms.

It uses either heat (radiofrequency ablation) or freezing (cryoablation) on the area of your heart that’s causing the abnormal heart rhythm (or arrhythmia). This treatment creates scar tissue which:

breaks abnormal circuits in the heart

destroys areas of the heart muscle which are triggering arrhythmias.

An ablation is started using the same technique as an electrophysiology (EP) study and is often carried out at the same time. The EP study can discover if you have extra electrical pathways in your heart that could be causing your abnormal heart rhythm.

Will ablation work straight away?

An ablation doesn’t usually work immediately and you may have some ongoing symptoms, such as palpitations, after the procedure. After around 8 – 10 weeks it’ll be clear whether it’s worked or not.

If it’s a success, your doctor will discuss stopping some of your medication.

If the ablation doesn’t work first time, you may need another ablation procedure or to explore alternative treatments.

I hope this helps 🤓

[Alice_Ro]

Thanks for kicking this off Donkster! I am having some ventricular ablation on 18th July. It will be my first.

How did people find returning to work, healing, exercising (including swimming) after the op? I have been advised to plan a week off work to recuperate at home. Do people generally feel fully back up to speed after that (other ongoing health issues aside)?

I am still finding I need to take exercise very, very easy (and I am generally tired) since my cardiac arrests in April and May this year and ICD op. Partly the meds I'm sure. I am hoping the ablation won't delay my overall recovery too much. I fully see its value in reducing the risk of further cardiac arrests and if it gets rid of the arrythmia altogether that'd be nice too!

[Donkster in reply to Alice_Ro]

Hi Alice_Ro

I would take two weeks off if possible just to settle everything down as I have found that after 6 days although I’m feeling better I still have some uncomfortable feelings you might find your leg is a little sore. It’s good advice to give yourself two weeks build up your fitness if you are able swimming etc oh my ectopics have stopped and that’s amazing I just need recovery time now.

[Alice_Ro in reply to Donkster]

Thanks. So glad it's sorted your ectopics! Great news

[Alison1960]

I had ablation for SVTs a year ago an it has changed my life. The procedure was interesting - I was so doped up I don’t remember anything negative apart from being extremely tired for almost a week - more so than I had anticipated. I went home the same day and for the first week or two I experienced a couple of lurches in my chest as if SVT was about to kick in but I’m delighted to say it never has and I feel a million times better!

[Donkster in reply to Alison1960]

Hi Alison1960

Brilliant news so that’s positive news I’m the same really tired 💤 and just a few after ablation pains but I can see that I going to be much better after things settle.🤓

[daisy2311]

I am scheduled to have an ablation in July but don't think I will go ahead. I have SVT ( I think as no one has really bothered to explain it all properly). I just know the ECG when i have an event shows SVT and echo was normal. I had one event in 2011, one in 2012 and two in 2017. Because I had two close together they put me on bisoprolol and referred me. When I saw the cardiologist in Dec he gave me three options...do nothing or take tabs or ablation. So they put me on the waiting list. I am very hesitant to potentially be wiped out for months and feel ill when I don't now. I am an active 35 year old and I will find it very hard if I don't feel up to exercise etc...not to mention I can't afford to take weeks off work if I feel really awful...although I know this should be a low priority.

[Donkster in reply to daisy2311]

Hi Daisy 2312

Thank you for posting this is why I started this post by others telling their story. This way others can make their own decisions. You’ve had everything explained to you by your cardiologist and we all try to find more info on forums now it’s your choice.

[NCMH1970]

I’ve had 2 ablations for ectopic beats/ bigeminy- neither worked - I find flecainide helps - I may go for a 3rd and final attempt........ ectopic beats while not dangerous are distracting and sometimes distressing- I don’t know the answer - but hope one day mine will stop !!! My cardiologist hopes to try a new approach next time - not sure what that means so I wait - and keep taking the flecainide!!

[Donkster in reply to NCMH1970]

Hi NCMH1970

I was told that if the ectopics don’t show up on the day of ablation they can’t fix them although they have ways to try and start them off eps

[NCMH1970 in reply to Donkster]

They did do that ! However I think they are in a tricky place! I am kind of coping with flecainide atm and see my cardiologist again in August as my last 24 hour Holter monitor ( not on flecainide) showed 10,000 plus ectopic beats 😖

[Donkster in reply to NCMH1970]

Ten thousand beats few mine was 8500 a day apparently now after ablation feeling much better what method do you use to help when it’s kicking offer I found the vagus manoeuvre to be quite good.