Recovery After Cardiac Ablation

[profk]

Hi all,

I'm writing to hopefully provide some sort of hope. I'm a grad student and a professor at a university and this past October I was experiencing heart palpitations while teaching my class to the point where I became lightheaded. A week after my first episode of tachycardia, I was taken to the emergency room. I canceled class and informed my colleagues of the severity of the situation. In the EP lab, the doctors did an electrophysiology study the next day followed by a cardiac ablation, after they found an AVNRT, they ablated it... all while I was awake on the operating table.

Now, I don't know if my anxiety after the procedure was caused by thinking that the tachycardia could come back or if it stemmed from this being a medical trauma. All I know is that there was a lot of it. Every time I left the house, I was nervous. I was anxious in the supermarket, in the class that I taught, in the classes that I was a student in, etc. Even though it was hard, I pushed forward, and I'm going to tell you a few things that I have learned:

1. You must keep pushing forward. I know that it is hard to jump back into things after a heart procedure, but instead of thinking that you are dying (like I did, at first) look at it as a new chance to live a better life.

2. Take time for you. Do yoga, practice mindfulness, meditate, go to therapy (if need be). You did not have a cold. Your body, mind, and spirit need time to heal.

3. If you are able to, and if your body agrees with it, see an acupuncturist. This has been a big part of my personal healing process.

4. CBD oil works wonders. It stops some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, and allows you to reason with the anxious thoughts running through your mind.

5. Think positive. If you keep “what if-ing,” you will spiral into panic, and no one who is in a state of recovery needs to be their own worst enemy.

6. MAGNESIUM. Make sure that you are getting the right dosage of magnesium, and it should help keep your heart rate under control.

I’m still recovering from the anxiety that I am experiencing, but I’m in a much better place now than I was in almost three months ago. I hope at least one person finds this helpful.

Wishing you a happy and healthy recovery.

Best,

Prof. K

[MoundMan]

Ditto much of excellent advice. Didn't have rapid afib. Slow version; not as easy to detect...though being unusually out of breath a good sign. Took 6 months to regain all stamina and conditioning. Required steady attention. Everything returned. I'm a witness too. Thanks for posting.

[Doris2010]

Hi! I could have written the above post myself! Had the ablation for AVNRT in 2017 followed by diagnosis of ptsd 8wks later, was it worth it? It is now! Thanks to all of the advice above, it’s been a tough journey & one I wish never to repeat crippling anxiety was worse than the SVT episodes! Onwards & upwards eh! I’m reaching my 3rd year anniversary in March & will be enjoying the day & not looking back! Good luck on your journey your doing amazing keep telling yourself!

[profk in reply to Doris2010]

The doctors told me that I could go back to work three days after, but I don't think that they realize the way that the procedure impacts patients. The anxiety has been awful, but I know I'm in a much better place than I was two months ago. Do you have any tips on dealing with anxiety?

[Doris2010 in reply to profk]

Breathing techniques, meditation, reading, gentle exercise (yoga/Pilates/walking) anything other than focusing on your heart! That was my biggest downfall, do the things you enjoy plenty of sleep, water & good nutrition! Be kind to yourself you have been through a trauma, going back to work after 3 days is ridiculous! That’s how they “sell” the procedure to us in the 1st place, I’m nearly 3yrs since the op & I still think about it everyday, but thankfully for the positive not the negative!

[Willworm]

Thank you for this post, I had my oblation 5days ago and I feel so drained and zero Energy, my anxiety is heightened and I’m very low in mood don’t feel like I will ever feel well again. Your post has helped me today x

[profk in reply to Willworm]

You will feel well again. Wishing you a speedy recovery. x

[Cecilia2020 in reply to Willworm]

Your post has help me today! Had mine 7 days ago and I’m just as you describe it.

[profk in reply to Cecilia2020]

Wishing you a speedy recovery. x