Any member here have a catheter ablation for Afib?

[Reload]

Find the cardiologist who shares the same care outcome as you. I’m sure you know this as an RN, but sometimes when it’s our own health we forget to advocate for ourselves.

Very true

 

[Reload]

Just a follow up...repeat ECHO today showed my EF improved to 45-50%.
Previous ECHO (7 weeks ago), my EF was 20-25%. Thankfully I'm no longer in Afib. Been is SR for the past 3 weeks.
Doc took me off the CCB (Amlodipine), said it was making my problem worse.
Put me on Lisinopril 20mg instead and referred me for a CT angio of the heart to see how much
plaque I have in my arteries. One step closer to getting an ablation.

 

[bensif]

When I first thought / felt something unusual was going on with my heart and after procrastinating more than I should have I went to my GP, he gave me an EKG, and sure enough, atrial flutter. He gave me a med (don’t remember what) to ‘quiet’ things down until I saw a cardiologist. Fair enough.

In walks the terribly overweight cardiologist. I am sitting on the table, my shirt is off and the first words out of his mouth was that “You look like Superman . . . there is nothing wrong with you”. (Wrong.) Then he starts talking about photography, what kind camera do I use . . . bla, bla, bla. Wrongo bubba. You talkin’ to the wrong guy.

I dropped him like a used condom.

Next cardiologist is lean, fit as a fiddle. Smart guy, no bs, I like him. He gives me an event monitor to wear (then they were as big as a bread box), treadmill test, the whole shebang. Yup, atrial flutter.

On blood thinners for a month (standard procedure I believe) then into the op room I go. The room looks like something out of a Star Trek command center. Huge screens all over the place. Then lights out for me and up goes the wire, groin to heart. Zap, zap and I am right as rain. Never to return. Easy peasy.

How long has it been since you had yours done?

Were you getting sporadic, prolonged periods of afib with tachycardia?

I'm still waiting to get mine done (I need to chase them) but I won't lie, I have been putting it off a bit. I haven't had a recurrence since January thankfully, and have been on edoxaban since.

 

[alfresco]

How long has it been since you had yours done?

Were you getting sporadic, prolonged periods of afib with tachycardia?

I'm still waiting to get mine done (I need to chase them) but I won't lie, I have been putting it off a bit. I haven't had a recurrence since January thankfully, and have been on edoxaban since.

Mine was called a flutter.

Wore an ‘event’ monitor for about a month plus blood thinner.

Then the ablation.

Get it done if that is what it takes to correct it. No big deal.

Was just in Switzerland seeing a friend. He just had an ablation. Perfect.

 

[tommyguns2]

I went into Afib the month after my second jab of the Pfizer covid vaccine. Experienced two PEs while in the ICU, thank goodness for the ICU. Went on heart meds, amlodipine, metoprolol, eliquis for blood thinner. Got a first cardioversion, but it didn't hold.

Got a second cardioversion six months later and was put on tycosin, an anti-arrythmia medication and maintained SR. Doc still recommended an ablation eight months later, which I did. it's been 18 months now, and still in SR, off all the meds, and back in the gym with no restrictions. I'm happy I did the ablation.

 

[alfresco]

How long has it been since you had yours done?

Were you getting sporadic, prolonged periods of afib with tachycardia?

Oooops. Forgot to mention.

~12 years ago. No recurrence since. First is about 90% effective. If it reoccurs it is 100% effective.

 

[Golden]

Just a follow up...repeat ECHO today showed my EF improved to 45-50%.
Previous ECHO (7 weeks ago), my EF was 20-25%. Thankfully I'm no longer in Afib. Been is SR for the past 3 weeks.
Doc took me off the CCB (Amlodipine), said it was making my problem worse.
Put me on Lisinopril 20mg instead and referred me for a CT angio of the heart to see how much
plaque I have in my arteries. One step closer to getting an ablation.

That’s a huge increase in EF. IIRC 55% + is classed as normal! Good news

 

[bensif]

Oooops. Forgot to mention.

~12 years ago. No recurrence since. First is about 90% effective. If it reoccurs it is 100% effective.

Thanks for the info bud.

Ok so your symptoms were a little different to mine. 99% of the time my heart beats normally. But in some circumstances, often vagal mediated, I go into afib with tachycardia. It used to be a couple times a year and often I could reset it myself. But as time went on that stopped and they got longer, sometimes a couple of days. Had no idea your risk of stroke goes up drastically.

This has gone on for 12 or so years so.

I'm definitely going to get it done.

 

[Reload]

Follow up...

Post CT angiogram w & w/o contrast (10/15/2024)
*Prepped with sublingual Nitro prior to scan.

Left main coronary artery score = 0.0
Left anterior descending coronary artery score = 86. Minimal (less than 25%) luminal narrowing.
Circumflex = 0.0
Right coronary artery score = 60. Mild (less than 50%) luminal narrowing.

Agatston score: 146
Total calcium score: 98
Based on P1 to P4 scale, I'm classified at P2 = moderate amount of plaque (3-4 segments).

I am 56 y/o, approximately 190-195lbs. Off all TRT 2+ months now. Never smoked. Not a drinker. Minimal rec use (MJ edibles for sleep).
Meds currently on for Afib: Metoprolol 75mg, Amiodarone 200mg, Eliquis 5mg 2x/day am & pm.
Lisinopril 20mg for hypertension.

I see the electrophysiology cardiologist tomorrow to discuss the above as well as probability of cardiac ablation for Afib.
I've never taken a statin but I'm guessing the above results strongly indicate being placed on one.

Is anyone here able to interpret these results from either their profession or personal experience?
Are these #'s bad and can they be improved?
Is needing a stent likely in my right coronary artery?

 

[Reload]

Cardiologist took me off Lisinopril (wasn't doing much for my BP) and put me on Entresto 46/51, 2x/day. Fingers crossed.
Referred me for a sleep study for OSA. Says I have all the hallmark symptoms.
Scheduled me for an ablation on Nov 26th.
No stent indicated, huge relief.

 

[Swifto]

Follow up...

Post CT angiogram w & w/o contrast (10/15/2024)
*Prepped with sublingual Nitro prior to scan.

Left main coronary artery score = 0.0
Left anterior descending coronary artery score = 86. Minimal (less than 25%) luminal narrowing.
Circumflex = 0.0
Right coronary artery score = 60. Mild (less than 50%) luminal narrowing.

Agatston score: 146
Total calcium score: 98
Based on P1 to P4 scale, I'm classified at P2 = moderate amount of plaque (3-4 segments).

I am 56 y/o, approximately 190-195lbs. Off all TRT 2+ months now. Never smoked. Not a drinker. Minimal rec use (MJ edibles for sleep).
Meds currently on for Afib: Metoprolol 75mg, Amiodarone 200mg, Eliquis 5mg 2x/day am & pm.
Lisinopril 20mg for hypertension.

I see the electrophysiology cardiologist tomorrow to discuss the above as well as probability of cardiac ablation for Afib.
I've never taken a statin but I'm guessing the above results strongly indicate being placed on one.

Is anyone here able to interpret these results from either their profession or personal experience?
Are these #'s bad and can they be improved?
Is needing a stent likely in my right coronary artery?

What has your AAS/HGH use been like?

Have you eaten well, low saturated fat diet and done regular cardio over the years?

Chase Irons lowered his CT scan from over 100 to 0 I believe, you should get in touch with him. I know he suggests Koncentrated K. There is a thread here where he speaks about how he did it.

Koncentrated K - Vitamin K1,MK4, MK7 with Astaxanthin

The Vitamin K family plays in the wellbeing of the body, including a published, peer-reviewed research establishing the link between vitamin K and heart health, bone health, its anti-cancer properties, along with a wealth of other immune boosting properti

www.k-vitamins.com

If I were you, I'd be following a very low saturated fat diet from now on. Keep LDL and TC low.

I'd also be in a a replacement dose of Test and not be off all Test, meaning a avoiding a low/hypogondal level. Maybe Emerics 10mg per day would be a good idea.

 

[Reload]

What has your AAS/HGH use been like?

Have you eaten well, low saturated fat diet and done regular cardio over the years?

Chase Irons lowered his CT scan from over 100 to 0 I believe, you should get in touch with him. I know he suggests Koncentrated K. There is a thread here where he speaks about how he did it.

Koncentrated K - Vitamin K1,MK4, MK7 with Astaxanthin

The Vitamin K family plays in the wellbeing of the body, including a published, peer-reviewed research establishing the link between vitamin K and heart health, bone health, its anti-cancer properties, along with a wealth of other immune boosting properti

www.k-vitamins.com

If I were you, I'd be following a very low saturated fat diet from now on. Keep LDL and TC low.

I'd also be in a a replacement dose of Test and not be off all Test, meaning a avoiding a low/hypogondal level. Maybe Emerics 10mg per day would be a good idea.

When I was competing (bodybuilding then powerlifting) I rarely used over 750mg/test per week in combination with other AAS. Minimal GH when I competed in BBing. GH was extremely expensive in the late 80's early 90's and hard to source. Insulin use in the early 90's wasn't what it is today and wasn't used much in powerlifting so I avoided it. I adopted Emerics 10mg/day (Test only) about 8 years ago. Sometimes a little more...20-25mg/day for short bouts. No GH now despite it being much more affordable.
My body went to shit right before I hit 50. Joints, tendons, lumbar. Gut issues. Now my heart. In all honesty my diet is far from "clean" but my lipid panel is always is range. About the only thing I got going for me.

 

[Swifto]

When I was competing (bodybuilding then powerlifting) I rarely used over 750mg/test per week in combination with other AAS. Minimal GH when I competed in BBing. GH was extremely expensive in the late 80's early 90's and hard to source. Insulin use in the early 90's wasn't what it is today and wasn't used much in powerlifting so I avoided it. I adopted Emerics 10mg/day (Test only) about 8 years ago. Sometimes a little more...20-25mg/day for short bouts. No GH now despite it being much more affordable.
My body went to shit right before I hit 50. Joints, tendons, lumbar. Gut issues. Now my heart. In all honesty my diet is far from "clean" but my lipid panel is always is range. About the only thing I got going for me.

I'd be sticking to a a clean diet now, regular cardio (if cardiologist permits), 10mg/ED Test (no more), low sat fat diet. No HGH.

Chat with Chase and get that Koncentrated K supplement, you can turn this around. Keep your head up.

You're on the right track now with your EF improvement, well done.

 

[tommyguns2]

I have a very similar story to that of OP. Went into Afib right after second shot of Pfizer COVID vaccine. Did a first cardioversion that didn't hold after about 3 weeks. Docs held off on doing anything for 6 months to see if my body would correct on its own. No luck. Did a second cardioversion following with anti-arrythmia (sp?) medication, tycosin. That held. Not sure if the tycosin was key for it to hold. Held steady for 8 months, but doc recommended I do an ablation just to "lock it in." Did an ablation, came off of all meds, and had a clean bill of health 1 year later.

Was on the amlodipene, metropolal and eliquis, just like you. Still on losartan for BP, but that was an issue before hand.

My Afib was solely electrical. No plumbing issues with the heart. It was a long, frustrating road, but I'm glad it's behind me.

 

[Reload]

Chat with Chase and get that Koncentrated K supplement, you can turn this around. Keep your head up.

I'll definitely look into it. TY

 

[Reload]

It was a long, frustrating road, but I'm glad it's behind me.

The medical system works so frickin slowwwwww!

The Entesto is working but not great. My average BP is around mid 140's/upper 90's. The cardiologist has me keeping a log and tracking it am & pm. Strangely it's always much higher when I wake up in the am. Doc says that correlates with sleep apnea. My referral for a sleep study finally went through. Now just waiting on the sleep lab to give me a call. The cardiologist said if the Entrersto wasn't keeping my BP in his goal of 130/90 that he would switch out the Metoprolol for Carvedilol.

 

[Reload]

Just updating so I have a running log for myself. Maybe this thread helps others in the future.

Doc dropped the Metoprolol. BP just not controlled well. Now on Carvedilol 12.5mg 2x/day in combo with the Entresto. Interestingly my BP looks great in the pm, mid 120's/80's. However my am BP's are consistently upper 140's/90's. Showed a pic of my #'s to my cardiologist. Said the contrasting am to pm BP's are a classic symptom of sleep apnea/poor sleep quality. Insurance finally approved the sleep study for next week Wednesday. Electrophysiology cardiologist scheduled my Cather ablation for Dec 31st...finally!

 

[Reload]

Sleep study results: pAHI 29.2, pRDI 30.0.
Total events for 7.5 hrs sleep: pAHI 195, pRDI 200.

Diagnosis: + for severe OSA.
Looks I'm gettin a CPAP!

 

[Reload]

Went in for the catheter ablation yesterday am. Someone above mentioned how future tech the cardiovascular angio procedural room looked. Yep, monitors all over the place. Think I counted 8-10 staff in there with me. Surgeon, anesthesiologist, multiple RN's and techs. General anesthesia. Cardiac mapping and then cryo ablation. Total time in surgery was a little under 2 hours. 4 hour recovery and then I got to go home to watch the ball drop. My groin on both sides is black & blue, pains not to bad. Honestly I feel great. F/u appointment in 2 weeks. IP doc wants me to continue the Amio and Eliquis for 3 months. I'll have multiple EKG's over that time and a f/u CT of the heart before he weans me off the meds. I purchased a KardiaMobile 6-lead portable EKG device I bluetooth to my phone for peace of mind. Only around $100/Amazon. I continue to be in sinus rhythm. Blood pressure looks good. Loving my cpap.

I think I rounded a corner. Planning to get back in the gym in a few weeks and gradually increase the intensity over the next 3 months.
Fingers crossed this is a one & done.

 

[EdgeCrusher1982]

Went in for the catheter ablation yesterday am. Someone above mentioned how future tech the cardiovascular angio procedural room looked. Yep, monitors all over the place. Think I counted 8-10 staff in there with me. Surgeon, anesthesiologist, multiple RN's and techs. General anesthesia. Cardiac mapping and then cryo ablation. Total time in surgery was a little under 2 hours. 4 hour recovery and then I got to go home to watch the ball drop. My groin on both sides is black & blue, pains not to bad. Honestly I feel great. F/u appointment in 2 weeks. IP doc wants me to continue the Amio and Eliquis for 3 months. I'll have multiple EKG's over that time and a f/u CT of the heart before he weans me off the meds. I purchased a KardiaMobile 6-lead portable EKG device I bluetooth to my phone for peace of mind. Only around $100/Amazon. I continue to be in sinus rhythm. Blood pressure looks good. Loving my cpap.

I think I rounded a corner. Planning to get back in the gym in a few weeks and gradually increase the intensity over the next 3 months.
Fingers crossed this is a one & done.

Fwiw my doctor told me I could go back to my normal gym routine after a week. And this is knowing that I work out like a bodybuilder , and intensely. He told me the week was only for letting the wounds where they went in around the groin area heal, and that the heart is g2g after the ablation. And I did