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.

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/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Post ablation Day 7

rfreeze
rfreeze
It's been a week since my ablation now and the pain is gone. I'm feeling pretty good except for when I have physical activity. If I walk too fast or go up the stairs too fast my heart rate climbs and I feel that my heart is struggling to stay in rhythm. I also experience some shortness of breath too from climbing stairs and walking fast like I normally do. If I rest again it is fine again. Is this normal? I wonder how long it takes to get my stamina back?
Thanks everyone for the support.
Rick
heart2222
heart2222
Rick,
So glad your pain is GONE. Hope your recovery continues to get you back to normal soon.
These symptoms are all what you had before? Nothing new?
I'll let the veterans answer your questions.
pacyetep
pacyetep
I read a quote from a doctor, a famous one, that said the heart rate going up for months is common and will subside. I forget what it is due to, but it is quite normal... something to do with change in conduction. I'll look it up this weekend if you want to read it.
KevM
KevM
Hi Rick,
I am the new guy here. I have read your post ablation logs with great interest, as I might be a candidate for the procedure. I hope you continue to progress towards a full recovery and can forget about having a second one. Keep writing these, as it really helps to see how you get over the hurdles as they come.
shantima
shantima
It's only been a week since your ablation. You might want to give your heart a rest and time for healing. I was told to wait a month before getting into strenuous activities. I do realize this is different for everyone.
CLane
CLane
Rick: So glad you are feeling better! Are you on rate control during the healing period? From what I have learned, it is normal for your heart rate and even rhythm to vary during the healing period due to inflammation of the heart tissue. The burns aggravate your heart. It is the scars formed from the burns that will cause everything to settle down. Your heart is busy healing and making scars. Once the scarring has occured, things should settle down. Take care and I am so glad you are keeping us posted :)
pacyetep
pacyetep
Good news Rick!...

Increased heart rate after ablation is correlated with ablation success. Some people may have symptoms and have to take rate control drugs... but I like the word "success" in there. Read for yourself:

"Conclusion PV isolation in patients with AF may result in increased HR, which positively correlated with the ablation success. This change does not seem to resolve spontaneously after a follow-up of 12 months. Approximately 5% of patients may develop symptoms due to an increased HR, necessitating treatment with rate-controlling drugs." http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/content/7/5/415.full
rfreeze
rfreeze
Thanks. I continue to take the same meds now as before my ablation which are: Amiodarone (200mg), Atenolol(50mg) and Warfarin (dosage as needed). Today my HR was down to 58 at rest. 1-2 days prior were mid 60s and before that 70-80s so it seems to be calming down. Pre-ablation normal (with meds) is mid 50s with occasional dip into the high 40s.
- Rick