cardiac ablation

[Sal55]

has anyone experienced alot of palpitations post cardiac ablation? Im 6 weeks in and feel them most when laying down. Taking flecainide and metoprolol. I am praying that these symptoms improve and god willing disappear after blanking period — which i also heard can be up to 6 months. Thank you in advance for the feedback

[CDreamer]

What sort of ablation did you have and for what? The most common is for Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter.

If so if you head over to the AFA forum and repost you will encounter a lot of information about recovery times which are very variable. Some people are back to work within days whilst others find it can be months before they regain previous fitness.

It’s common to have breakthrough arrythmias during the blanking period (3-6months) and some people have ectopic beats for months, but they do eventually go.

api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

I had 2 ablations and although initially feeling very well and back to work within 10 days, it did make things worse and I had to have a second 3 months later. Recovery from the second was complicated by another condition.

Are you recording the activity - ECG trace, BP, HR?

Hope some of that helps.

[Sal55 in reply to CDreamer]

hi, it was Heat RF for SVT.

[CambournePat]

I had atrial fibrillation last year and had palpitations for about three months afterwards. Mostly when I tried to sleep. I'm mostly fine now but am still on medication.

[Sal55 in reply to CambournePat]

which medications are you on? And did ectopics/palpitations go away completely?

[CambournePat in reply to Sal55]

I am on Diltiazem and Flecainide. I sometimes get a little out breath but I would say that the palpitations have gone. My experience was one of gradual improvement rather than a sudden change. I hope that helps.

[Sal55 in reply to CambournePat]

yes thank you

[Sal55 in reply to CambournePat]

how long has it been since you had your ablation? I am frustrated because didnt we get the ablation so we dont take meds? I just dont want to take meds for life

[CambournePat in reply to Sal55]

I had my ablation in May 2021. It's a frustration for me that I have to continue to take my medication. I did try a month or so without the tablets, but the palpitations returned and so I went back on the meds. I wore a halter to measure my heart around this time and was told that my condition could only be treated through medication but was not life threatening.

[Sal55 in reply to CambournePat]

i hear you. Prior to the ablation i wasnt having any palpitations but the zio patch / holter results indicated that i had SVTs 15 in 1 week (although i didnt feel any of them) so was advised to do the ablation.

[beechesblue]

I have had two ablation’s since being identified with an Atrial Flutter, after the first had palpitations after a few weeks and these continued and became more frequent. Was then fitted with a 14 day monitor which showed the flutter was no more but that I now had Atrial Fib.

Had second ablation, PVI, and now 4 months in and no issues to speak off, stopped flecainide after 2 months. Just shows that the recover from ablations isn’t different

[Dadtoalad23 in reply to beechesblue]

do you still have to take anticoagulants ?

[beechesblue in reply to Dadtoalad23]

still taking and both consultant and GP say will have to for rest of life, the upside is the protection they provide against possible blood clots

[Dadtoalad23 in reply to beechesblue]

ah ok. That’s quite depressing for me. I’m a very active surfer I’m only 46 years old but with surfing the potential for injury is high and bumps on the head. Only been diagnosed for a week but think I have permanent or persistent Afib. It was put down to health anxiety for years by my doctor one ecg five years ago that was normal, probably when I was only having episodes every now and then. I have scans booked to check my heart going private to get it done and see where I’m at. If it’s just Af and no structural issue I’m going to see what my options are. If it’s something worse Christ knows. Feeling very depressed and overwhelmed to be honest. Was feeling mostly good before my diagnosis just a bit of chest pain and would only notice the afib periodically. Was running 5k a day living life. Have a ten year old boy and now I’m terrified the medication will kill me rivaaroxban or the Af or my hearts damaged. Vicious cycle of anxiety which is making the afib a lot worse. My afib is never very very fast if agitated it’s up over 110-120 max most of the time my resting rate is 70-80 still fast but sometimes don’t notice it at all. Anyways sorry for hijacking this thread.

[beechesblue in reply to Dadtoalad23]

being over 60 my sport is less dangerous so just swimming most mornings but life is generally as it was before finding the flutter.

The flutter was found when seeing GP about a hernia. So after the hernia and ablations in last year things are back to normal, have the occasional battle to stop thinking that there is something still wrong but think positive and look forward. I may be being kept on the tablets due to my age when they do the stroke risk calculation, at your age you will probably have to take for and potentially told to stop

Be positive

[Karykowj1 in reply to Dadtoalad23]

Hi, just wondering how you are going? I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF Nov 2022 when going for a jog. I get AF every second or third day, I take Diltiazem twice daily which has eased the symptoms especially at rest. I have been referred to an Electrophysiologist to look at my options including catheter ablation. Like you I was very fit running 5k twice a week and going to gym once a week. Hope things are working out for you.

[Jetcat]

hi Sal, yes I ended up with palps after my second ablation which lasted quite a good few weeks.

the palps gradually went away but then I started with a extra beat on every 5th beat for around a month+ so I couldn’t win.!!!😳

It all eventually settled down thankfully but the EP (electrophysiologist ) who did my ablations said I can happen sometimes and not to worry as it should settle.!

He was rite and it all did eventually settle.👍

So hang in there mate, it’s not easy I know but you’ll be ok. 👍

Best wishes.

Ron.

[Sal55 in reply to Jetcat]

Hi Jetcat, what kind of ablation did you have and for what condition?

[Jetcat in reply to Sal55]

hi Sal, I was diagnosed with paroxysmal afib and underwent 3 pulmonary vein ablations over a period of around two years.

I think it’s called R/F.? Burning a protective fence to stop rouge signals entering the atrium.?

I hope Iv got it rite.? but if not someone with more knowledge will correct me as there is some great folk on here who really knows their stuff.👍👍

[Sal55 in reply to Jetcat]

when you say palps lasted a good few weeks meaning how many more or less? And did when did you feel them? At rest? after eating, exercise or laying down. Mine are more laying down

[Jetcat in reply to Sal55]

all the time unfortunately!!!! you may be only noticing yours when your laying down because you’re resting,

[Sal55 in reply to Jetcat]

that is unfortunate, do you still feel them now? I am worried because i am 7 weeks post ablation for SVT And feel them most when i lay down.

[Jetcat in reply to Sal55]

I go through months of no ectopics then for some strange reason I can start with them and they will last a week or more then slowly get less and less until their gone.!!!!

I always feel mine wether I’m active or resting so they do start annoying me after a few days, especially when I’m at work trying to concentrate on things.!!😡

[acfxr12]

Sal55, I had catheter ablation in 2019, the flutters and ectopic beats continued for well over a year. In fact, depending on my level of stress and physical activity I still have the ectopic beats. I am not a doctor, but my electro cardiologist and the regular cardiologist both tested my heart several times over the last three years (including Holter monitor) and both verified this is part of the healing process. Both also stated that ectopic beats are generally benign (even though it doesn't feel like it to the patient) and nothing to be concerned with. Even though you only had a couple of holes in your body for the ablation this is still MAJOR surgery. Your body has to have time to heal and although we all pray for the miracle of a completely normal 26-year-old body again, that is just not how it works. I do physical labor for a living and am now 60. My advice and experience for you is, stop paying attention to every little flutter or missed beat (I threw away my I watch) know that healing takes time, and the success rate of the procedure is great! The blanking period is at best a guess as we all heal differently, just try to divert your attention to other things when the heart starts not doing what you think it should. (Thats what worked (s) for me. Do I get scared sometimes? absolutely! But I know that God has me in his hands and if today is the day that I get to see Jesus, I really have no say so in the matter! So, I do my best to worry about what I can control. I will add that you should take things as easy as you can for a while, stay hydrated, I truly believe that my completely giving up soda helped in lowering the healing time, and I also now drink mostly tepid water. Every once in a while, I will add ice, but I make sure to sip. (Cold and Soda seemed to trigger ectopic and fluttering episodes.) You will be able to identify your triggers and they may be completely different than mine. Best of luck to you and remember God has your back, (and heart).

[Sal55 in reply to acfxr12]

thank you for your feedback

[Sal55 in reply to acfxr12]

did the palps stop on their own or because you were put on medication?

[roberttressell]

I had a PFA ablation almost three weeks ago. First week was ok, the odd ectopic, but now the ectopics / palpitations are happening almost constantly, worse after food and at night when lying down. Doctor tells me things should settle down soon. Doesn’t feel that way right now! I take bisoprolol and flecainide low dose daily. Should I persevere without further treatment or perhaps cardioversion? I have a moderately stressful job, am I supposed to withdraw to a darkened room for 3 months until these palpitations stop??