Increase resting pulse rate and high diastolic pressure

Ranijarar -- thanks for your response.  I was told by my doctor after the ablation that my AF could get worse initially as the heart has been scarred.. What is bothersome to me is that I seems to be getting better until about the 2 month mark and then my resting pulse and diastolic BP went up and has stayed there for a little over two weeks.

I did have a holter test down yesterday and am waiting for the EP and cardio doc to see the results.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  I really do not want to do a second ablation.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to me.

Olapis --  that you said about the electrical signams generating a different type of AF is exactly what I have been fearing -- and I think you might be right.  I don't know if I will  go for a second ablation procedure.

The EP did tell me about the 3-month blanking out period before they could tell if the surgery was successful.  What is troublesome to me is that I seemed to be getting better gradually (with a resting pr of 59 and a good BP) up until 2+ weeks ago when my resting pulse and dialostic blood pressure went up and has stayed that way.

The reason I went for surgery was to be able to get off the rythym drug, which has rotten side affects and is very expensive.  I know because of my age and gender I will be on blood thinner (Pradaxa) the rest of my life to prevent stroke.  I have accepted that.  But I sure want off the other medication.

I wasn't scheduled for the holter monitor until the end of this month but when I told my surgeon that I felt like I was in AF much more than before the operation, he ordered the holter test early, which I had yesterday.  I'm waiting for the docs to get back to me  and keeping my fingers crossed that this surgery was in fact (somewhat) successful.

How are you doing now -- is your  BP and pulse rate better?  Or are you still having problems?

Thanks for taking the time to respond to me.

I'm fine now. The third attempt worked for which I was thankful. Another go was not going to be possible I was told. I'm no longer checking my pulse/BP neurotically as after the 1st ablation I couldn't always tell if I was experiencing tachycardia.

I'm so glad I live in the UK!  I'm retired and all my drugs come free, providing of course they are on the approved list from the Local Commissioning Group (LCG) and they are prepared to pay! Before retirement I was able to pay an annual prescription charge from the NHS that signifcantly reduced the cost

The thought of having to make decisions on whether to take a drug or not because of cost is pure anaethma to me, having lived with the NHS. LCG's are making the decisions for people though of which they may be unaware so a wide range of treatment / prescription possiblities can occurr in different areas.

The cost for me is a tidy sum as I also have an inflammatory arthritis and am on a biological therapy... expensive!  I take Dabigatran (Pradaxa) too.

Not going for a second attempt is risky. You may go into permanent AF and  then your quality of life really will suffer. Ablations dont work well on permanent AF.

For me it sometimes gets confusing on the forum ( a UK one) when people from other countries post here as processes and even what is available varies across countries. Choosing your electrophyicist... mmm not in the uk unless you go private! 

 

Thanks for getting back to me, Gwen.  I do not have triggers -- (don't know if that's good or bad).  I do not eat chocolate and I don't drink and only have a cup of coffee in the morning.  But I will wake up from a nap -- which I have never taken naps before -- but I am so tired I fall asleep -- and if I check my pulse -- it's high -- which is probably what is making me tired -- my heart is working so hard to pump blood.  I am blessed in that I have no stress in my life (other than this AF) -- and maybe my worrying about it is a trigger.....

How long was it between your ablations?  I really don't want to have to go thru it a second time -- my original bill for $90K and I have no idea what insurance will cover -- it ay just put me in AF for good!!

Thanks for your response.

I can understand how you feel about a second ablation as I felt the same, although in your case the cost might be prohibitive.

Wait until you get your results anyway and talk to your specialist about your options. A lot of people manage with just medication so maybe that would work for you once they understand what's going on with your heart.

Let us know the results when you get them. We're here for you xx

Thanks so much for your kind words. It is so comforting to know u are all here for me.   And I one u feel the same way. 

I should mention that my insurance company has yet to tell me how much of the bill they will cover, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that there will be a negotiated rate at a BIG discount.   

 

Can you share the risk factors with us?

I, too, 'shopped' for the best EP I could find and went to Mayo Clinic which is highly rated for this. 

I I didn't really have any risk factors other than

my age and gender. He claimed a 70-80% success rate. 

I wish u continued success. 

Thanks for for your response and comments. 

 

risk factors include age greater than 65, female, diabetic, obesity, alcohol, genetics, sleep apnea. i am sure there are others but these r the main ones.

saw my dr. today. ablation scheduled for july 11. your symptoms are not out of line w normal, but second ablation may be necessary. if the scarring from the ablation becomes irritated in any area the signal will go through according to what my doc said. a second ablation is " kind of a touch up". and again assuming as many risk factors as possible are maintained.

Wish u a successful ablation. I found the surgery not a problem at all. I was surprised at how easy it was and how well it went.

Thanks for your comments. Wish u well.

I'm waiting to hear results of holter test. Will keep u posted.

Afib lady has pretty much nailed it!

High blood pressure is about all that's worth adding to the Afiblady's risk factor list.

There are a handful of other risk factors if you care to google them, but they're not really addressable.

duh to me. how could i forget high blood preasure. - the root of all evil afib.

hope everyone in the different stages of their afib improve, find ways to cope, and continue support for each other.

one prayer together at the same time at noon wherever you are, to pray for each other would be nice.