I was diagnosed with SVT in Feb this year after one of my episodes was finally recorded on an ECG. I get them so rarely, once or twice a year at most so it's taken a while. Cardiologist strongly recommended a catheter ablation over medication as he didn't see the point in taking anything for something I get so rarely, plus I have low blood pressure which had been made worse with even the lowest dose of bisoprolol I was prescribed by a GP at one point- I don't take it anymore though.
My ablation is on July 14th, I'm obviously quite nervous (first time having any sort of medical procedure) so just wanted to ask if there's anything I should know or be prepared for that the professionals don't tell you? My consultant was very open and honest about it and a family friend put me in touch with someone who had one who shared her experience, which was very helpful.
Should probably add I'm 19, which I know is on the young side for having this done, but that was behind my decision to get it as it has stopped me from doing certain activities due to anxiety around potentially having an SVT episode.
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burgundy_hair21
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Uhh, funnily enough I was recommended not to do it because I get them quite not so often enough. I was given a "betablocker in the pocket" and not consider ablation until it 'll worsen
Hi, well my case is not quite the same given that I’m 68 and my ablation was for AF, but I should think you will recover more quickly being so young. It sounds like you are already quite well prepared, but I would say be prepared for a bit of discomfort during the procedure, which they don’t tell you about but is quite normal, although it probably varies from person to person. You can always ask for a bit more sedation if necessary. There could be a bit of chest pain afterwards too, but I got hardly any and didn’t need any painkillers once I was back on the ward. I’m sure you will bounce back from this, and you can look forward to the rest of your life without this worry. Let us know how you got on. Good luck!
Hi, I’m 28 and had my ablation for SVT just over 6 weeks ago now.
You sound like you are already well informed and I’m sure you will be absolutely fine. My SVT occurred at high exercise so my procedure was done without any sedation and it’s nowhere near as bad as you think it’s gonna be. Especially if you have some sedation to help you relax!
Some mild discomfort when they pace your heart to find the arrhythmia and the ablation itself but you get used to it quite quickly. The only part that can feel particularly uncomfortable would be if they use adenosine after the ablation to check for pathway induction. Luckily it only lasts seconds and is only used for certain types of SVT.
Post op as I said I’m 6 weeks and was back to exercising properly after 4 weeks. I still get the odd ectopic which they say is completely normal as the heart settles down from inflammation.
All in all I’d say the op and recovery is like 90% of a mental challenge and 10% physical. Just take it one day at a time and don’t stress over things too much! You’ll be absolutely fine.
I've had two ablations for AF in the last year, the first didn't work, the second has so far (fingers crossed) kept my heart beating normal. If I'd had it done sooner instead of relying on Bisoprolol, the first ablation would likely have been successful and I wouldn't have had to suffer 12 months of persistent AF.So my advice is, go for it. You're young, you want to enjoy the rest of your life without the side effects of drugs, and the overhanging worries. You may or may not feel anything during the procedure, you can ask for more painkilling drug during the procedure as you're awake. You'll have a bruise in your groin for a week or two. That's it. Good luck!
Like another respondent, because my SVT was picked up from a 7 day Holter Monitor but not sustained and my echocardiogram was normal, they advised against ablation and I was told to just take 1.25 mg of Bisoprolol as a 'pill in the pocket'. I tried taking Bisoprolol on a regular basis but even the small dose made me too light-headed. However, your cardiologist knows you best and I'm sure he wouldn't advise ablation if it wasn't right for you. Good luck - sounds like the procedure is quite straight forward.
I had a catheter ablation in 2019, I was so so worried about it as I know the procedure lasts about three hours. I told my cardiologist and he said I would be given as much sedation as necessary and not to worry.It wasn't painful but was at times it was like having indigestion. I thought the procedure lasted 10 minutes but in fact it was three hours, so the sedation must have been effective. Ask if you want more information
Hi everyone, thanks so much for the info. Wasn't expecting so many replies!
Having sedation seems to be the way to go haha, I originally thought it was either fully awake with just local anaesthetic or being put to sleep but my consultant put me right on that. JAXDC1 since you had your ablation so recently did covid impact on your experience at all? I've just got to self-isolate for 48hrs before (would be 2 weeks but since I work I'm just 48hrs with a lateral flow during that time) but nothing in my letter about changes to the hospital experience other than the usual attend alone, masks etc.
Speaking of work, I'm planning to return around 10 days post op if I feel up to it but just hope I've not underestimated the recovery, especially since I'm on my feet for 7hrs, walking around, through the back etc but thankfully no heavy lifting. There's no guarantee I'd be able to do something sitting down eg admin or answering the phone due to lack of space in the office to distance. In all honesty it's only for a couple of weeks before I finish and start preparing for studying abroad, which is supposed to go ahead at the end of August covid permitting!
Hey burgundy_hair21 Sorry I didn’t get a notification for your reply.
I didn’t have to isolate or anything. I was tested daily in the hospital and they send the results to my email upon discharge.
I was in for hospital for 2 weeks though as i was admitted when they were still unsure what exactly was wrong.
I was up and walking around after within the first week and as you are young you should bounce back pretty quickly.
That being said I would take it easy and if you don’t feel up to it then don’t push yourself. You need time to heal and the groin area and entry site are at risk during this time. I still have a lump at the entry site which you should monitor carefully as they don’t really warm you if this is common or not.
Hi everyone, had my ablation on Wednesday and was nowhere near as bad as I thought, was also a success!
I've been feeling absolutely fine, just a bit tired at times but it's also pretty hot where I am haha. Been up and walking about the house, just not been anywhere else. Thankfully had no issues with my wound, it actually stopped bleeding so quickly after the procedure I didn't even have to lie completely flat straight after, but I'm still being careful.
My consultant (who also performed the ablation) has said I shouldn't even need a follow up appointment with him, I'm just to get an ECG in about a month, before I go abroad, and he'll phone once he's reviewed it but that should be it.
Hi there, I have just read the thread of communication. I am now on the list for ablation and it is reassuring to read your experience. Can I ask if you went home the same day or did you get to stay overnight? Secondly - does the procedure really take 3 hours or is that inclusive of set up time? many thanks
I went home the same day, was admitted at 8am and discharged at 7pm (had the ablation mid morning). My consultant said they only tend to keep you in overnight if there was complications with the procedure or if they don't finish it until teatime-ish as you have to be monitored on the ward for 5hrs after and they don't usually discharge people at midnight. At least that was the case with the hospital I was in.
As for the time it takes, everyone is different. I was sedated for mine so was only half aware of the time passing but asked how long it took once I was fully awake and was told only about an hour for the procedure itself, which is quite short for ablation to be fair. Setting up was maybe about 20mins to get all the monitors attached and sedation given while the doctor was prepping the equipment.
For perspective I spent more time waiting to be taken for the procedure from the time I was admitted but if you bring plenty to keep you occupied it'll pass quicker, plus the other patients on the ward might be quite chatty like they were when I was in.
Anything else you'd like to know, please just ask!
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