Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Last week I had my post ablation follow-up. It has been almost 5 months since my ablation with Dr Natale. I have been afib free the whole time.
About a month ago I had a 7 day monitor and it also showed no afib.
I was told I no longer have to take anticoagulants.
I felt very comfortable with his approach since I have a CHADS2VASC of zero, had no atrial fibrosis and overall excellent health.
I was diagnosed with afib 2 years ago and as a long time runner it presented many challenges. I was prescribed a daily calcium channel blocker (diltiazem) that along with the afib significantly impacted my running. Although I could still run I felt like I would hit a wall and couldnt get my hr pumping enough to sustain long runs. I had to reduce my distance and speed and I could no longer experience the runners high that I so enjoyed.
After my ablation I stopped the diltiazem and that hitting the wall feeling is now gone as my heart has been working very efficiently since I started running 3 months post ablation.
Ejection fraction has increased from pre ablation levels and all fatigue due to afib and medication is gone. I am now able to experience that runners high that I thought I would never experience again.
However the best part of being afib free is that the anxiety and fear associated with afib is gone. I no longer have to think about afib. The expression out of sight out of mind best describes it.
As I walked away from Dr. Natales office in SF I told myself that the 2 year nightmare was over. The city and the day seemed more beautiful and alive than it had in a while.
opsyn
About a month ago I had a 7 day monitor and it also showed no afib.
I was told I no longer have to take anticoagulants.
I felt very comfortable with his approach since I have a CHADS2VASC of zero, had no atrial fibrosis and overall excellent health.
I was diagnosed with afib 2 years ago and as a long time runner it presented many challenges. I was prescribed a daily calcium channel blocker (diltiazem) that along with the afib significantly impacted my running. Although I could still run I felt like I would hit a wall and couldnt get my hr pumping enough to sustain long runs. I had to reduce my distance and speed and I could no longer experience the runners high that I so enjoyed.
After my ablation I stopped the diltiazem and that hitting the wall feeling is now gone as my heart has been working very efficiently since I started running 3 months post ablation.
Ejection fraction has increased from pre ablation levels and all fatigue due to afib and medication is gone. I am now able to experience that runners high that I thought I would never experience again.
However the best part of being afib free is that the anxiety and fear associated with afib is gone. I no longer have to think about afib. The expression out of sight out of mind best describes it.
As I walked away from Dr. Natales office in SF I told myself that the 2 year nightmare was over. The city and the day seemed more beautiful and alive than it had in a while.
opsyn
Kudos and Hugs!
Thanks very much for the great report regarding your successful ablation. It is really fantastic. I am glad you are enjoying life (specially running) again. Keep it up.
Sean -
There will be such a day for you too. You are just going through some bumpy road. You will get to the smooth part of the road soon. Just keep your chin up, you will get there :-) Things will work out for you too.
Scott
Wow. Like it never happened!
Thanks for the update its always good to hear about success. It couldnt have happened to a nicer person! May you stay in nsr so you can concentrate on other things in your life.
Continue to take care,
atp
Congratulation!
cody5
So glad to hear everything is going so well and you have your life back.
Annette
Am sure your post will give encouragement to others:)
Thanks for sharing and enjoy your good health!
Hugs,
Christine
-Mark
Bill
I always thought that the best part of this group was hearing peoples successes. That could mean Scott managing his afib by diet for 10 years, Surfrat surviving a shark bite, Petey playing full court basketball for 90 minutes and the list goes on and on.
Your successes always provided me with hope and inspiration to increase my success in managing afib.
Thank you all.
opsyn
Paul