During my first round of afib before my first successful ablation - 1996 to 2006 (11 years, I was very active. At least a 1,000 to 1,500 days doing weights, jogging, windsurfing, skiing, golfing & hiking. During the last 5 years of the afib, I documented over 200 episodes. As I recall, physical activity rarely if ever caused an afib episode. Point being, there are few universal truthsby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley in LA in the 50's and 60's when air pollution was really bad. In high school before some swimming meets (early 60's), I would go into my closet at home to hyperventilate to stop/clear the lung pain that was happening with deep breaths. 5 minutes of deep breathing and the pain was gone. At the time - Was there major issues with young people haby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I decided to check out my recorded afib history between 2001 and 2006 (6 years) where I documented all episodes and length of each. 192 total episodes. My afib burden ranged from 1.8 percent for year one to a high of 5.3 percent for year 6. Then my successful ablation. While my afib was annoying, it didn't impact my lifestyle except that I didn't work out when in afib. Too much O2by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I would speculate that the unsuccessful ablations in the graph represent mainly the lesser skilled Drs. No guarantee even from the best EPs, but the odds of a "no afib episodes" success is much greater. I have had two ablations, the first = no afib for 13 years. Number two = Now 3 years with no afib. Very successful! The definition of "Successful" is fluid.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
No clear answer, we are all different. The 10 lb. lifting restriction is because of the femoral vein catheter insertions, not your heart. My last ablation was day surgery, and I was walking two miles the day after.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
General anesthesia causes urinary retention. That's why they won't let you go until you go.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
My recollection for "take it easy" advice was to allow for the healing of the insertion location in the groin. The only restriction was to "not lift more than 20 lbs for 5 days". However, different patients, different ages, different fitness levels, different general health issues, different doctors = different recommendations/restrictions during recovery.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
We all react differently after an ablation and for some (like me), ablations were a non-event. I have had two, the first about 15 years ago and the second two years ago. What I am about to say is for the benefit of those that may be "scared" of the post operative issues. For me, I got myself into the best possible physical shape before the ablations. For the second one, it was day sby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
You will hear a lot more from others here, but in a nutshell: Find another doctor, specifically an EP (Electrophysiologist.)by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
No afib now after my second ablation, but I have been on Eliquis for 5 months (2xday) for an unexplained pulmonary embolism (now apparently abated). I go off it in one more month. I have never noticed anything different while taking Eliquis.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
The definition of success is clearly subjective. There is no cure for afib, just a temporary fix (success) for some period of time. A great EP will likely give you a longer period of success than an inexperienced EP. After your period of success, afib will be back and you go back for another ablation and hope for the best. I have had two successful ablations as posted above for a total of 16by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
On the other hand, after my 13-year break from afib (successful ablation) and it returned for a couple of months before my second successful ablation, I took only Flecainide as a PIP to stop the afib episodes. My heart rate when in afib at that time was 110 BPM with no rate control. In the very beginning 25+ years ago, afib with NO meds left my heart beating at up to 180 BPM.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
First ablation lasted 13 years, then afib back and a second ablation. Now 3 years afib free and hoping for many more.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gloaming, I understand your point and I have a friend that never knows when she is in afib, so it's clear that its impact varies from person to person. I have always been in great physical condition and when in afib, the only impact was that I avoided working out, but everything else went on as normal. When going to bed in afib, sleeping on my left side was impossible, it felt like I waby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
SteLo, Why are you running to the ER so often? A day or two in afib is no big deal (with a blood thinner) for most of us, just give the Flecainide a change to work and convert you back to normal rhythm. In my afib history, I had well over 200 episodes (up to 72 hours) and only one cardioversion.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteYuxi My first round of afib started in 2001 and went for 11 years before a successful ablation. I documented over 200 episodes and only had one visit to an ER for a cardioversion. I always converted on my own in anywhere between a couple of hrs. to 72 hrs. (the longest). The ER visit was early on, and I learned it was not necessary. Ken, when you say you always converted on your own,by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
My first round of afib started in 2001 and went for 11 years before a successful ablation. I documented over 200 episodes and only had one visit to an ER for a cardioversion. I always converted on my own in anywhere between a couple of hrs. to 72 hrs. (the longest). The ER visit was early on, and I learned it was not necessary.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
The most likely issue for Lewis is that the ablation did not stop all the "uncontained electrical impulses." However, my second ablation (first one was good for 13 years), seemed to be unsuccessful as afib started again well past the "blanking period". Ablation on Jan. 6, 2020, and on Eliquis and Flecainide for one month. Then all was good until April: 7 episodes of aby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have taken both and there was / is no impact with sleeping. I always get 8+ hours every night. Lots of physical activity helps with sleep.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I never found a relationship between coffee/caffeine with my afib (two successful ablations). I drink about 12oz of coffee every morning. I had afib for 11 years before my first ablation, and when I had a bout of afib, it typically started in the afternoon.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Back In 1968 - 1972 I raced Motocross in Texas, with many races in the summer. I found that Gatorade was a lifesaver because of the heat and sweat loss while racing. I could chug a quart in a couple of minutes and not feel bloated. It seemed to hydrate me immediately. Doing the same with water felt like I was swallowing a grapefruit. I still drink Powerade when playing summer golf in Nortby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
My last ablation was day surgery, and home in the evening. But since I am retired, no need to deal with work. However, I am and have always been very fit, so if I had an office job, I could have worked the day after the ablation. I felt perfectly fine and did go for a two mile walk the day after.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
We are all different. I had afib for 11 years, 5 misdiagnosed and 6 years on meds. 200 episodes documented in those 6 years, longest was 72 hrs. I had one ECV, but did not go for more since I always converted on my own. HR while in afib without meds was 180. Now ablated and doing very well. So, why so many ECVs for some of you? Can't convert on your own? If on rate control meds, whby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I would guess that EPs don't know how many were successful, unless they count the number of patients that they DON'T see again. After my first ablation that lasted 13 years, there was no follow up other than a one-month postop visit. People move, find other Doctors, etc. so counting success rates seems doubtful.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I know what my max heartrate is supposed to be at my age, but what is the chart you posted telling us? Is it showing what the normal / average resting heart rate is for my age group and what the normal / average maximum HR is for my age group? I don't think so, because it is about target heart rate for fitness, which is why I made my first comment.: "Too much gap between the highsby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Regarding the chart that colindo posted, the link says: "Cardiovascular exercise (also called aerobic exercise) is especially effective in keeping your heart healthy and reaching your target heart rate. This specific type of exercise gets your heart beating fast for several minutes at a time. Target heart rate is defined as the minimum number of heartbeats in a given amount of time in ordby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Too much gap between the highs and lows to be of any value.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Got it, thanks for the clarification. When I had afib (ablated twice successfully), with drugs to control the heart rate (180 hr without drugs), I pretty much operated normally, but did not workout when in afib - too much O2 debt. But I was highly symptomatic and always knew when I went in and out of afib.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Larry, Help me understand. You have persistent afib (bouts lasting over a week) - how do you have that "controlled"? Not yet permanent?by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Maybe someone will watch and post a brief summary (if there is something out of the norm). I won't be watching for an hour and a half.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM