Do I ablate ?

Hi, new here, I am a 52 year old woman in the UK. I was diagnosed with AF just over a year ago following a paid for general health check. I was given 2.5mg bisoprolol by my GP, which I took, and an anti-coagulant which I did not take. I had a mild stroke last October. Now on Rivaroxoban. I had cardioversion in April but it did not work -- came too late.

I have controlled, treated persistent AF, with an average of 80bpm on the medication. While I am aware of it, I have relatively few symptoms - I don't feel tired, I don't get breathless, I don't get events or attacks, I walk my dog twice a day, I have lost over 3 stone through diet and exercise with still another 3 stone to lose.

I am now facing the hardest decision of my life -- do get ablation before that is too late as well? The cardio I discussed it with says I am a borderline case because my symptoms are not that bad but that it would be a 'reasonable thing to have done'.

Is it possible to live with this or is getting back into normal sinus rhythm, at any cost, the name of the game here?

[IanMK]

Hi fmag

I imagine you are in two minds because your cardiologist isn’t making a recommendation but leaving you with a choice. Bear in mind that the offer of an ablation isn’t given lightly but, as you seem to realise, an ablation is normally offered to improve quality of life whereas you are asymptomatic.

Ask your question again in the AF Association forum on here. It is a very active and supportive forum and you will get many people offering their advice there.

Best wishes

Ian

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Apologies I cannot help you on this decision. Two school friends have developed AF in recent years. One is managed by medication and the other found that a healthy lifestyle with zero caffeine and minimal alcohol intake (occasional small glass of wine with a meal) manages it. Both accept that that things may change with time.