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I think the basic answer is how much you stand to gain by being back in normal rhythm, or the level of negative impact afib has on your lifestyle. For some, afib is an inconvenience, but it's debilitating for others. Also, the more time you are in afib, the more likely the heart will stay in afib because of modeling. If you only have episodes a few times a year, there is probably no ruby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Elevated heart rate after an ablation is normal, and it will take a year to settle down to your new normal. I had my ablation before I found this web site (6 yrs ago) and I asked my Dr. before the ablation if they could do the ablation while I was in afib or not. He said that he could put me into or out of afib a will and that it was needed to see where to ablate. I didn't fully understby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom, During my 11 years of afib (first 5 yrs undiagnosed), the only trigger I could identify was more than one drink (2-3), however, those somewhat infrequent occasions may have been responsible for 10% or less of my episodes. Now ablated for 6 years with no afib, I continue to drink about 4 oz of red wind every night before dinner. I did this too when I had afib with no apparent correlatiby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Keep in mind that what the hospitals charge for an ablation is not what the insurance companies pay. There is usually a huge difference, plus my insurance company tells me what was actually paid to to the hospital. It would be better to be talking about those numbers, not the billing numbers.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
dnrec, I was much like you, the afib was an annoyance and didn't keep me from living a normal life including a lot of exercise and physical activities. The one thing that tipped the scale was that my wife and I enjoyed extended hiking trips in Europe and I didn't want to get stuck on a long climb with afib, so I wasn't planning any trips. Once I had the ablation, then the tripby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
dnrec, I was much like you, the afib was an annoyance and didn't keep me from living a normal life including a lot of exercise and physical activities. The one thing that tipped the scale was that my wife and I enjoyed extended hiking trips in Europe and I didn't want to get stuck on a long climb with afib, so I wasn't planning any trips. Once I had the ablation, then the tripby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dnrec, I had afib for 11 years, the first five undiagnosed. Then finally it was caught and I went on meds, started with Flecainide, but went off it shortly and then tried Norpace. I don't remember why I switched to Norpace (11 years ago), but I had no problem after switching. However, I did average 30+ episodes a year for the next five years until I had a successful ablation.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have my six year ablation anniversary in November. Here is my story, plus it’s worth noting that I didn't find this website until after my ablation. 67 years old; excellent physical condition; 6', 166 lbs; 11 years of LAF; was on meds for the last 6 years after diagnosis; averaged 33 episodes per year for those 6 years (documented when and how long they lasted). The episodes rangeby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Diane, I was a competitive swimmer for 14 years and ended my career by competing in two events in the 1968 Olympic games. I am 6' 1". I was not a distance swimmer, but between 1962 & 1968, I averaged about 2 hours a day in the water, 5-6 days a week (range from 1-3.5 hrs a day). I think the time is more a factor than mileage, but during the heaviest training in the summers,by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Randy, Welcome to the unknown. Those of us that have been through this for a long time want answers, but if you spend some time on this forum, you will find several dozen possible reasons that we go into afib, and most are just calculated guesses. Triggers is the topic and you may or may not be able to identify possible triggers. I think most of us agree that it's a chemical/electricby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Murray, Sorry for the sloppy post. I guess I don't know how Tikosyn works and what difference you should see when you are in or out of afib. Before I was on meds as well as after, there was never any doubt when I went into afib. Very noticeable and when I checked my pulse, it was VERY rapid, shallow and irregular. Taking Toprol XL to slow my heart rate helped, but the afib was stilby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Murray, As I recall, my afib in the beginning was much like yours, but not diagnosed for 5 years. I don't recall trying to take my pulse rate during those short episodes. The episodes got longer over time, and was finally caught on an EKG in the Dr's. office. My pulse was VERY irregular, weak and at 180 BPM. Regular heart rate was low 50's. I then spent 6 years on meds, anby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
This may or may not be of help, but if any of you with reflux are on probiotics, especially Align, that could be your problem.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom, Ask your Dr. about Toprol XL. I was on it daily for 6 years to lower my heart rate when my episodes surfaced (average of 3 per month) when I had afib. Now ablated successfully and off all medication.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
The other issue with coffee or any liquid with or without caffeine is that none are true diuretics. A true diuretic is something that will initiated kidney function to reduce a build up of excess fluids in the body so you end up with less fluid than you when you started. All liquids will hasten kidney function and increase urine flow. Liquids with caffeine may add to the kidney function, butby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gary, What EB said. Are you on any medications, anything to control your heart rate? When I had afib (ablated 5.5 yrs ago), without medication my heart rate went from the 50's to 180 bpm. With medication (Toprol XL) it went from 40's to 80's. Are you sure you have afib? I had afib for 10 yrs (6 yrs on meds) and never went to the emergency room. It's different for eaby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
TomB, You may be right, but as usual, there seems to be very little about afib that fits us all the same. I didn't find this website until after my ablation (5.5 years ago). 100% successful so far. However, I did document my history for most of my 10 years with afib. The first 4 years, I was incorrectly diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse causing some irregular heart beats.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom, Going on and off drugs makes it really hard to get in tune with your body / hear rate / flutter / afib. I took Toprol XL for 6 years straight before my ablation (ranged between 25 and 50 mg per day, but I ended up on 25 because my resting heart rate at night was too low - 37). I had an average of 2-3 episodes of afib per month lasting from 30 minutes to 72 hours. It was very easy to diby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was on Toprol XL for 6 years when I had lone afib. Now ablated 6 years ago with 100% success. When I went into afib (about 3 X month), my heart rate was tolerable with the Toprol. As I recall, my heart rate was in the 80's while in afib.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am afib free 5.5 years after my ablation. I exercise a lot (jogging, windsurfing, walking golf, weights, hiking) and if I perspire a lot, Gatorade is essential. Even though I am thin, I lose a lot of water (and salt/electrolytes) if working hard, so I need to replenish them or I will be in trouble. People that drink too much can cause themselves harm as well as those that drink too little.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I think you will get a wide variety of answers here, since so much depends on your Dr. and what he/she wants. Although my ablation was in town, I think my experience would have been the same if it was out of town. I also think my experience is atypical. 1. Pre-evaluation 2. ablation 3. night in hospital 4. home the next day - felt great and could have traveled, but one extra nightby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Todd, Very interesting. I do eat a banana a day, but usually not around my activities where I have a lot of fluid loss, when I do drink Gatorade. One key element MISSING in the study is fluid replacement for the banana side of the test. Nothing? Water? It's hard to believe that after 2-3 hours of aerobic activity that fluid loss in the banana group wouldn't have impacted theiby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Randy, It will take a year after an ablation to regain your full aerobic capacity. You should see a slow progression, so don't give up. It just takes a long time for the heart to fully recover, and in your case, your heart has experienced more trauma than almost any of us. As for the meds and their impact on your respiratory problems, I don't know enough to comment. I can'by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Interesting information. I was/am an afibber (ablated 6 yrs ago and still in normal rhythm), and I was also an Olympic swimmer, but not distance swimming. Nevertheless, I did train up to 3.5 hrs a day and up to 6 miles a day (9000 meters), but that was in the late 60's and the intense training lasted for about 6-7 years). I didn't pursue anything like that again other than general fiby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
For me, it's simple - light, rapid, & irregular heart beat (check your pulse - carotid is always good). On an EKG, my rate was 180 bpm, normally 55. With the reduced blood flow, getting out of breath while going up stairs or similar exercise is common.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had full sedation and it was a piece of cake. No pain, no discomfort during or after. Felt 100% normal the next day. And by the way, that was 5.5 years ago and no afib since.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I too was told that I may experience some breakthroughs during the first few months after my ablation, but I had none and continue to have none, now for 5.5 years. Sometimes they get it right on the first try.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Barry, All you are experiencing is normal. You will see a steady improvement for about one year and then you plateau at that point. Because of the trauma of the ablation, the heart simply takes a long time to return to normal function. Your Aerobic capacity will be handicapped for a while, but it will get much better. I had a successful ablation 6 years ago at age 61. I do all sorts ofby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Nancy, I can't answer your scarring questions. However, your weight is great, but is your afib exercise induced, or is it a product of electrolyte imbalance or dehydration? Exercise, no matter how hard I worked, never induced afib, as long as I stayed well hydrated and kept on top of the electrolyte issue. Maybe you can find a way back into exercising, and if it is demanding enough,by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sleep Apnea seems to be much more prevalent in obese, overweight people that don't work out. Although I have never had a sleep problem other that occasional work related anxiety, being fit and regular workouts make for great sleep. Check out this web site for a little more information. http://www.livestrong.com/article/377418-exercise-sleep-apnea-studies/ Afib never kept me from workby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM