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Difficulty exercising after aFIB and SVT ablation

Posted by mikeneverwired @mikeneverwired, Jun 15 2:48pm

I just had a procedure (6/10/25) to address my recurring rhythm issues including SVT and ablation. My heart seems to have calmed down quite a bit relative to pre-surgery but I am wondering how long it takes to get back into a normal exercise routine. I have been walking daily but am finding myself winded and tired. I hope this is transient but am not sure. I want to get back up into the mountains to hike some tall rocky mountain peaks (it is summertime after all)!

Thoughts?

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patty2025 | @patty2025 | Jun 24 12:32pm
In reply to @gloaming "You are most welcome. Would you consider coming back, when you feel up to it, and..." + (show)
Profile picture for gloaming @gloaming

You are most welcome. Would you consider coming back, when you feel up to it, and tell us YOUR experience? It may be quite different, and I think onlookers might like to read another experience for their peace of mind or to round out the ranges of experiences possible.

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Definitely.

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aard | @aard | Jun 24 6:56pm
In reply to @otiswinston "Thanks for this. Especially the Nepal trekking reference. I had a pulse field ablation 5 weeks..." + (show)
Profile picture for otiswinston @otiswinston

Thanks for this. Especially the Nepal trekking reference. I had a pulse field ablation 5 weeks ago at age 72, after 3 years of almost daily episodes. Vigorous exercise was a major trigger for me and stopped me in my tracks in Nepal at 3400m. I had done 5500m several times pre-afib. After 5 weeks I’m in NSR so far and have been wondering if a return to Nepal trekking was realistic. Your post gives me some hope, although I’m still on a beta blocker and antiarrythmia med (plus Eliquis) so my heart rate remains low and I think that will remain a limitation for me at higher altitudes.

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I neglected to mention that I was on diltiazem, flecanaide, and eliquis during that trek. Cardiologist kept me on those meds until I returned at which time, I was off all meds.

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arche1 | @arche1 | Jun 24 8:56pm
In reply to @mikeneverwired "Hi Folks, I am happy to report that I was able to hike about 8 miles..." + (show)
Profile picture for mikeneverwired @mikeneverwired

Hi Folks,
I am happy to report that I was able to hike about 8 miles last week with an elevation gain of roughly 1500' and all went well. The only thing I have post hike are sore legs... so I am going to begin hiking at higher altitudes in the coming weeks. Thank you for all the support. It helped!

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sounds like you do not need any medical thing or its vodoos

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hurricane188 | @hurricane188 | Jun 29 11:16am

I had a PFA in February,2025. 2 hours post procedure while in post anesthesia recovery room, I started feeling very dizzy with chest pain. EP and anesthesiologist called in and diagnosed a moderate pericardial effusion. Went back to OR and had catheter placed to drain blood. Sent to CV ICU for 2 days. No real answers why this happened. One week after discharge, I had echocardiogram which showed no pericardial effusion. Prior to PFA I had well controlled Afib for 2 years. Cardiologist and EP thought I was good candidate to stop anti arrhythmia medication and possibly blood thinner. So far, no episodes of Afib that I know of. Wear Apple Watch and utilize Kardiamobile. Had 3 short episodes of high heart rate which I am thinking is part of blanking period. Follow up with EP in August and hope to start weaning off flecainide. Thought I would share my story with group. I am walking and going to yoga and feel good.

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mikeneverwired | @mikeneverwired | Jun 30 8:56am
In reply to @hurricane188 "I had a PFA in February,2025. 2 hours post procedure while in post anesthesia recovery room,..." + (show)
Profile picture for hurricane188 @hurricane188

I had a PFA in February,2025. 2 hours post procedure while in post anesthesia recovery room, I started feeling very dizzy with chest pain. EP and anesthesiologist called in and diagnosed a moderate pericardial effusion. Went back to OR and had catheter placed to drain blood. Sent to CV ICU for 2 days. No real answers why this happened. One week after discharge, I had echocardiogram which showed no pericardial effusion. Prior to PFA I had well controlled Afib for 2 years. Cardiologist and EP thought I was good candidate to stop anti arrhythmia medication and possibly blood thinner. So far, no episodes of Afib that I know of. Wear Apple Watch and utilize Kardiamobile. Had 3 short episodes of high heart rate which I am thinking is part of blanking period. Follow up with EP in August and hope to start weaning off flecainide. Thought I would share my story with group. I am walking and going to yoga and feel good.

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Congratulations! It sounds like you are on the road to full recovery! Have a great summer!

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wcuro | @wcuro | Jun 30 11:23am

Are you on a beta blocker for the SVT? Beta blockers are designed to keep your heart rate down, and as a result, make a person exercise intolerant. The necessary increased heart rate which delivers additional oxygen during exercise don’t happen because of the beta blockers- making one breathless and tired. I have this problem and can forget about aerobic exercise which works toward getting the heart rate up.

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