Stress trigger for atrial fibrillation

Its at moments like this i truely appreciate the NHS in the UK!! I have just had my second ablation, two weeks ago. My first cryo was 80% successful. My consultant is confident this second one should have nailed it. I am still recovering at present but doing so faster than after my first procedure. Ive had a couple of brief episodes, but i overdid things, so im hoping they were just blips, and not an indicator of remaining issues.

Hi cardiac congo

I wish you every success with your 2nd ablation. I'm hoping mine keeps going well too.

I think the French health system works very well. Yes, we have to pay the top up insurance, but all our prescriptions are included as well as x-Ray, MRI scans, dentists, and lots of other benefits. The treatment is equivalent to that of a private patient in the UK, no waiting around and fast service.

So although it is quite expensive, we are happy with it.

Gwen xx

Hi Gwen. Good to know your system is fast. I was fortunate to not have long waits too in fairness. Glad ive not had considerations like patients in other countries have noted! My mistake today - a glass of cola! Paying the price at the moment!! It would appear to be a trigger for me. 😞

Gwen, I'm surprised that u were told the success of the second ablation is only 50/50. I was told that the chances of success with a second one is greater than the first because they go in and just 'touch up' what they might have missed the first time.  I certainly wish u the very best.

did want to say how grateful I am that I found this site. It is comforting to be able to communicate with people who are all going thru the same thing.   

God bless u all 

 

Hi cardiac congo,

Oh yes, cola - I hadn't thought of that as a trigger but of course it must be the caffeine content.

I'm avoiding plain chocolate, coffee and alcohol and of course the biggest trigger - stress!

Christmases are a bit boring lately!!

I was told by the surgeon after that it was a very long and very difficult operation because there was a large area to an late.

I was under sedation for 7 hours and the maximum time is usually around 5 hours.

He also said I could possibly now have a flutter instead but so far so good!

I'm also grateful to have found this site. It's good to discuss worries and thoughts with like minded people.

xx

Predictive text - should be ablate not an late! Sorry.

hello Gwen, I just read about your second ablation. i had a cryo-ablation at The Heart Centre, manchester Royal Infirmary, in August 2014. My EP., Dr. Muhlyadeen, told me post ablation that my prognosis was very good as i'm a 68 year old this September, 66 when I had my only ablation. I have been AF free for 34 months and I was prescribed Apixaban 5mg., twice a day. I recently had a 48 hour Holter monitor, which came back with results of, normal rhythm throughout with only extra beats in isolation and occasional short runs. There was no evidence of paroxymal atrial fibrillation. Based on the above results, you can discontinue your Apixaban for the time being. It goes on to say should you experience frequent symptoms of palpitations I need to report it as it may alter the decision with reagrd to anticoagulation, should they document any recurrence of PAF. My chad score has been defined as zero. This is my experience and was wondering if anyone else has been taken off anticoagulants, post ablation, under the same circumstances. I don't want to take medication unless it's absolutely necessary for obvious reasons. Any other patints had any similar experience to mine, would like to hear and share info.

  Regards

​    Johnj

Hi John. I too am hoping to come off rivaroxaban thinners if my 3 month post ablation checkup is ok. I only take then now, im off verapamil following my first ablation last dec. Im currently 3 weeks post second procedure. Fingers crossed!!

Hi viper,

I, too, am 68 this September!

The prognosis after my 2nd ablation in March was not good. I was told that my success rate was 50/50 and I would probably be back for a third.

Since then I have been to see my cardiologist who tested me on his in office ECG machine and was very pleased with my results. I have a slight valve disorder but he's not worried about it.

I am in France so the medication names differ to the English ones but he has reduced my Bisoprolol to 2.5mg from 5mg per day, and I take 50mg of Flecainide per day, also Previscan blood thinner.

He said that he hopes to get me off all meds with the exception of the blood thinner, over the next 12 months.

Gwen,ive had many many  EKGs that have NEVER showed me to be In a-fib and we're ALWAYS normal.  However a holter monitor worn for 24 hours indicated I was in afib 57% of the time.  

 

That really odd that the EKG hadn't picked the afib up. Maybe it was normal just at those particular times. It's lucky you had the holster to confirm it

I had a 4 hour afib episode one morning last week but none since.

How are you getting on?

I really should check my typing - Holter 😕

EKGs only take heart measurement for the time it takes to do the test 

. I've never been in afib when I've had one. Yes, I am lucky that they found it in the holter test 

(don't worry about your typing -- it mistypes my responses too)

im still in afib on and off every day but the episodes are not long - just several

in and out. Discouraging.  I can go from 58 bpm up to 130. No symptoms still - I just randomly check it during the day 

also for some reason my lower number on my blood pressure has been high, which has never happened before, and I am on blood pressure meds.  The lower number is not as important as the higher number,but it's still troubling. 

Just hanging in for my holter test the end of the month. U r so sweet to ask. 

Suzanne that figure is too high. I would seriously get yourself checked by your doctor, it might be adding to your afib episodes.

Are you taking any cholesterol medication?

Please take care

xx