Atrial Fibrilation Ablation

[Isualum13]

Hello,

Wondering how many if any of you are dealing or have dealt with this and if you have had an ablation done.

A little back story. Towards the end of July my heart rate was crazy high and wouldn't go down so I went to the local ER. They couldn't get my heart rate to slow down and correct itself so the shipped me up to St Mary's. They did a cardioversion there the next day as I was still in afib and sent me home with some meds. A month later I went back into afib. Again got sent to rochestor. They changed up my meds and I self corrected without needing a shock. I've gone into a fib 3 more times since then all three times self correcting without needing to get shocked.

I have an ablation scheduled for the 16th. Just curious if anyone has had this done and what the recovery was like. All I know is what I've read online and in the literature I was given. I know it's going to knock me down pretty good, just trying to gauge how much.

I'm 35. I know, super fun to have heart problems at 35. Planning to be back at work the 18th.

I'm not concerned about the procedure just trying to get an idea of what to expect from.someone that has been through it.

 

[cyhobby]

Hello,

Wondering how many if any of you are dealing or have dealt with this and if you have had an ablation done.

A little back story. Towards the end of July my heart rate was crazy high and wouldn't go down so I went to the local ER. They couldn't get my heart rate to slow down and correct itself so the shipped me up to St Mary's. They did a cardioversion there the next day as I was still in afib and sent me home with some meds. A month later I went back into afib. Again got sent to rochestor. They changed up my meds and I self corrected without needing a shock. I've gone into a fib 3 more times since then all three times self correcting without needing to get shocked.

I have an ablation scheduled for the 16th. Just curious if anyone has had this done and what the recovery was like. All I know is what I've read online and in the literature I was given. I know it's going to knock me down pretty good, just trying to gauge how much.

I'm 35. I know, super fun to have heart problems at 35. Planning to be back at work the 18th.

I'm not concerned about the procedure just trying to get an idea of what to expect from.someone that has been through it.

Wife went through 5 of them, they never held. Finally found a good doctor that did a procedure called converion I think. Went in through a vein to the inside of her heart and burned or froze that part, then also did same on the outside of the heart. Worked like a charm, been ok for about 5 years now.

 

[cymachine]

It sounds like you have paroxysmal afib as opposed to what they call “persistent unrelenting afib”. I discovered I had the latter 5+ yrs ago (around age 65) which surprised me as i have been a decent runner most of my life. I had the procedure called “pulsed field ablation” which seems to be the best in terms of success rate, which is very good for someone with paroxysmal afib and still decent for persistent afib. The day started at 6 am with arrival to the hospital and i left (you will need someone to drive you home) at 2 pm. The procedure involves going up into ther pulmonary veins by your atria (both sides through incisions in your upper legs/groin area) with a device that 1. Identifies the cells that are firing (that should not be) and 2. Destroys them by an electrical pulse. I took one day off from work is all. Besides some minor pain at the incision sites, it was pretty simple and painless, I highly recommend. I was in 100% afib for years (still trying to run despite that) and immediately the afib stopped. Just this Monday, it has re-appeared, something not unexpected for someone who has had thisa for 5-10 yrs, and I am meeting my Dr later this month, who i hope will ok a second procedure. Again, while there is some reversion to afib in those with persistent afib in the first 3 mos post procedure (maybe 10%) it would be lower for you. I would do again without hesitation. Good luck!

 

[Isualum13]

Wife went through 5 of them, they never held. Finally found a good doctor that did a procedure called converion I think. Went in through a vein to the inside of her heart and burned or froze that part, then also did same on the outside of the heart. Worked like a charm, been ok for about 5 years now.

Cardioversion is where they shock the heart back into sinus rhythm. Ablation is where they burn part of the heart to create scar tissue the prevent the heart from misfiring.

It sounds like you have paroxysmal afib as opposed to what they call “persistent unrelenting afib”. I discovered I had the latter 5+ yrs ago (around age 65) which surprised me as i have been a decent runner most of my life. I had the procedure called “pulsed field ablation” which seems to be the best in terms of success rate, which is very good for someone with paroxysmal afib and still decent for persistent afib. The day started at 6 am with arrival to the hospital and i left (you will need someone to drive you home) at 2 pm. The procedure involves going up into ther pulmonary veins by your atria (both sides through incisions in your upper legs/groin area) with a device that 1. Identifies the cells that are firing (that should not be) and 2. Destroys them by an electrical pulse. I took one day off from work is all. Besides some minor pain at the incision sites, it was pretty simple and painless, I highly recommend. I was in 100% afib for years (still trying to run despite that) and immediately the afib stopped. Just this Monday, it has re-appeared, something not unexpected for someone who has had thisa for 5-10 yrs, and I am meeting my Dr later this month, who i hope will ok a second procedure. Again, while there is some reversion to afib in those with persistent afib in the first 3 mos post procedure (maybe 10%) it would be lower for you. I would do again without hesitation. Good luck!

I appreciate the insight. I'll be going up for imaging and blood work on the 15th. Surgery the is scheduled for 3 pm on the 16th.

 

[ISUATC]

Had a successful ablation in July. Felt fine after the procedure. It didn't "knock me down" The procedure and recovery were easy.

 

[mkadl]

Hello,

Wondering how many if any of you are dealing or have dealt with this and if you have had an ablation done.

A little back story. Towards the end of July my heart rate was crazy high and wouldn't go down so I went to the local ER. They couldn't get my heart rate to slow down and correct itself so the shipped me up to St Mary's. They did a cardioversion there the next day as I was still in afib and sent me home with some meds. A month later I went back into afib. Again got sent to rochestor. They changed up my meds and I self corrected without needing a shock. I've gone into a fib 3 more times since then all three times self correcting without needing to get shocked.

I have an ablation scheduled for the 16th. Just curious if anyone has had this done and what the recovery was like. All I know is what I've read online and in the literature I was given. I know it's going to knock me down pretty good, just trying to gauge how much.

I'm 35. I know, super fun to have heart problems at 35. Planning to be back at work the 18th.

I'm not concerned about the procedure just trying to get an idea of what to expect from.someone that has been through it.

My son isnt 30 yet and has had 2 ablations. He was just weak and tired after the proceedures. I have afib and my wife developed it last spring, she was shocked into rhythm, she didn't even know she had it going on. Mine is adrenaline induced and hydration is very important I can still do sub 38 minute 5Ks with no problem. My son had an incident at work that sent him to the hospital and was shocked back into rhythm within the last 2 years. I am retired and havent had any afib incidents since I was 40. It just infrequently flutters for 20 or 30 seconds (I walk away from the tv during ISU games) and converts itself. The drugs they put my son and wife on are a bit concerning, but our at home research confirms they are mostly preventative types of drugs. My son and wife are on Beta Blockers, my wife is on Xarelto.

 

[isuno1fan]

Wife has it (started after a bout with Covid) and will be going for her 2nd ablation this Spring. They didn't treat AFib with the first and only treaded her flutter. Learned afterwards she has AFib too so another ablation coming up in a few months. Recovery of the first was good. She was up moving around pretty well day after. Currently takes 12.5mg Metoprolol once per day and 100mg Flecainide twice per day to control it as best as possible. Still has blips of a few seconds almost daily and every couple weeks will have an hour or two episode but so far they have always self converted.

 

[CyTuT]

Hello,

Wondering how many if any of you are dealing or have dealt with this and if you have had an ablation done.

A little back story. Towards the end of July my heart rate was crazy high and wouldn't go down so I went to the local ER. They couldn't get my heart rate to slow down and correct itself so the shipped me up to St Mary's. They did a cardioversion there the next day as I was still in afib and sent me home with some meds. A month later I went back into afib. Again got sent to rochestor. They changed up my meds and I self corrected without needing a shock. I've gone into a fib 3 more times since then all three times self correcting without needing to get shocked.

I have an ablation scheduled for the 16th. Just curious if anyone has had this done and what the recovery was like. All I know is what I've read online and in the literature I was given. I know it's going to knock me down pretty good, just trying to gauge how much.

I'm 35. I know, super fun to have heart problems at 35. Planning to be back at work the 18th.

I'm not concerned about the procedure just trying to get an idea of what to expect from.someone that has been through it.

Just had my procedure done at Mayo on June 2nd. Recovery depends on the incision point healing, but most last an hour, on your back. After that you need to watch the incision point for infection. They gave me nothing but Tylenol for the pain. I had to keep my HR under 120 for the blanket period. I recommend you walk every day after the first week. If you have an Apple Watch, monitor your heart for any recurrence.

I was on Flecainide and Metoprolol for 13 years and never had to be shocked into sinus rhythm. It was the best thing I have ever done. My sister-in-law trains docs for Medtronic, so she has good connections at Northwestern’s hospital system. Their lead EP says that the younger you are, the more likely you’ll have success. Use AI - Grok, Gemini 3, or Chat to help answer questions. I used it throughout recovery to help answer questions and things I forgot they told me to do. I actually used AI to choose my doc and then asked my sister-in-law to ask her team at Mayo if that was a good choice. The team responded that my EP was the “Yoda” of ablation. Good luck and DM me if you think I might be of help.

 

[Cloneon]

I have afib everyday. I'm convinced the combination of drugs in my system is causing it. Because, quite succinctly, I've never in my life heard of medical reports where they tested the 'combination' of several drugs. Until 42 I was the epitome of health; never even having a common cold, ran 5 miles in the hills daily, ate right, didn't over consume anything. Then cancer, the harsh oncology, and the repercussions of those chemicals for the next 25 years. If I only knew then what I know now, I would do everything in my power to avoid Pharma solutions.
Sorry, back to AFIB. I'm so used to correcting it psychologically, that I for the most part avoid the supposed experts as much as I can. Until I have a life ending heart attack, I can say it's working.

 

[inCyteful]

Had a successful ablation in July. Felt fine after the procedure. It didn't "knock me down" The procedure and recovery were easy.

Had the same thing the same time. Amazing procedure, outpatient, back to running a week later. They keep you on Flecanaide and Verapamil for a while after to make sure it holds but off those now and feeling better than ever (except for ISU Football).

 

[ISUATC]

Had the same thing the same time. Amazing procedure, outpatient, back to running a week later. They keep you on Flecanaide and Verapamil for a while after to make sure it holds but off those now and feeling better than ever (except for ISU Football).

My only complaint is that I wish I had done it sooner!

 

[inCyteful]

My only complaint is that I wish I had done it sooner!

I was able to hold mine in for 6 years and the one day it said "F you" and came back. I am an avid runner and that sucked so glad to have the timing back.

 

[CYTWINCITIES]

Had a successful ablation in July. Felt fine after the procedure. It didn't "knock me down" The procedure and recovery were easy.

Had mine done last Wednesday. Same result for me. Easy peasy. Glad I had it done.

 

[Isualum13]

I know everyone has been gravely concerned so ill post an update. After waiting three hours past check-in time I had my surgery. Due to the time I got out of surgery they kept me overnight Tuesday. Got home around noon yesterday. Staying home from work today, headed back tomorrow.

Glad to have it done and hopefully it fixed the problem.

 

[VeloClone]

Brother had this done ~6-7 years ago. He was in bad shape before and he has been back to his old active self after. I didn't know that is what it is called.

 

[Gonzo]

Cardioversion is where they shock the heart back into sinus rhythm. Ablation is where they burn part of the heart to create scar tissue the prevent the heart from misfiring.



I appreciate the insight. I'll be going up for imaging and blood work on the 15th. Surgery the is scheduled for 3 pm on the 16th.

My dad's had this done twice, they go in through his shoulder (I think) to get to the heart, so it's minimally invasive. First time it didn't hold, the last one was about a year ago and it's holding steady.

 

[Bipolarcy]

Hello,

Wondering how many if any of you are dealing or have dealt with this and if you have had an ablation done.

A little back story. Towards the end of July my heart rate was crazy high and wouldn't go down so I went to the local ER. They couldn't get my heart rate to slow down and correct itself so the shipped me up to St Mary's. They did a cardioversion there the next day as I was still in afib and sent me home with some meds. A month later I went back into afib. Again got sent to rochestor. They changed up my meds and I self corrected without needing a shock. I've gone into a fib 3 more times since then all three times self correcting without needing to get shocked.

I have an ablation scheduled for the 16th. Just curious if anyone has had this done and what the recovery was like. All I know is what I've read online and in the literature I was given. I know it's going to knock me down pretty good, just trying to gauge how much.

I'm 35. I know, super fun to have heart problems at 35. Planning to be back at work the 18th.

I'm not concerned about the procedure just trying to get an idea of what to expect from.someone that has been through it.

I had afib back in August or September and what they did to fix it was put me under, then shock my heart with the paddles to get my heart beating right again. They never even discussed an ablation. Sometimes the shock doesn't work, but I was lucky that it did in my case. I imagine they would have discussed ablation if the shock didn't work.

They also put me on blood thinners to prevent clotting in the heart, which brought on a whole host of new problems, not to mention the cost. The blood thinners cost around $500 co-pay on the first prescription of the year and about $120 a refill after that. They have since taken me off of that blood thinner, but I also had stents put in my heart around the same time and they still have me on another type of blood thinner to prevent the stents from clogging up. I was on both types of blood thinner for about three months.

Now, They've discovered polyps, which have to be removed, but they can't remove them as long as I'm on a blood thinner. They say they have to keep me on this blood thinner for at least 6 months after my stents were put in before than can consider taking me off it and going after the polyps. So, joy, I get to go through that whole colonoscopy ordeal again.

 

[Cyhig]

I know everyone has been gravely concerned so ill post an update. After waiting three hours past check-in time I had my surgery. Due to the time I got out of surgery they kept me overnight Tuesday. Got home around noon yesterday. Staying home from work today, headed back tomorrow.

Glad to have it done and hopefully it fixed the problem.

I had heart surgery at St Marys/Mayo myself a couple years ago for a valve repair. Glad you were able to get it done and hope this solves your issue. The staff there is second to none.

 

[JM4CY]

You can tell the median age of CF is getting older.

 

[AgronAlum]

My wife has been going through some Afib issues over the last couple years and it seems to come in spurts. She eliminated caffeine even though it was really only one cold brew a day and it has seemed to calm down for the most part. Only a couple spells over the last 6 months or so. Doctors haven't had much direction for her even with her watch data to back everything up. It also kick started a real workout routine which probably helps as well.

Lost a 34 year old BIL last year (almost to the day) due to heart issues. He even had a regular cardiologist after they found some abnormalities and did surgery a couple years prior.

Just a general PSA that even in your 30s, it's not something to **** around with.