To ablate or not ablate, that is the question...

[Beaky-Pompino]

I had a successful (so far), cardioversion nearly 8 weeks ago. I spoke to my cardiologist yesterday and he said we are only managing my AFib, with medication and strict lifestyle change. He wants me to consider an ablation as if it is successful then it will ‘fix’ the problem as opposed to just managing it, so I have to be careful.

I was and still am quite active and enjoy cycling long distances, something I haven’t done for a few months, only shortish distances at the mo (100k) because I’m worried that the endurance will knock my ticker back out of NSR again.

Now I know the ablation carries risks so I’m just wondering what others people’s experiences were?

[BobD Volunteer]

I am a great fan of ablation but it must be clearly understood that there is no cure or permanent fix for AF. Any and all treatment is only for quality of life.

I managed eleven years AF free after my third ablation but still have other arrhythmias which do to some extent impact on my QOL even though not as bad as AF.

LIfe style is important and one must accept that nothing will ever be the same after AF steps in regardless of what treatment you have. Many people have to take long hard looks at their life style which in many cases does improve not just their AF but their entire life.

Sadly for you endurance cycling is one of many pass times which are known to cause AF so some reduction must surely be a good idea to prevent further problems. Exercise is good but over exercise is often detremental to health.

That said if you moderate your activities and do decide to go the ablation route again one must understand that it is just part of ongoing treatment and may need repeating. Your doctor is very glib about it being a "fix" and I wish it were that easy.

[wilsond in reply to BobD]

Well said Bob can't add anything to that, agree also that cardiologists are not always the best ones to deal with AF as you have said before they are the plumbers not the electricians !

[Beaky-Pompino in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob, thanks for your informative reply, I have been researching this and trying to read as much as I can on ablations so I can make an informed decision.

I am still unsure, as if I am managing my AFIB successfully with lifestyle changes and pills then why would I need an ablation? I mean, if I went ahead with the op, I would still have to maintain my lifestyles changes and curtail my cycling. So I don’t see the advantages. Am I missing something?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Beaky-Pompino]

I guess that fact that once you have AF everything changes. There is no going back to before! Ablation won't necessarily mean you can go back to ignoring your body and doing what you did before which contributed to the AF. Maintaining life style changes can reduce the need for ablation but ablation does no remove the need for life style changes.