Chest pain after pulsed field ablation

Did you ever get answers or relief? I’m experience the same thing. It’s terrible.

@dianablocker

It's been 11+ months since my PF ablation, and I was troubled by chest discomfort for weeks after the procedure. EP said it's probably pericarditis and I should take Motrin and that it should subside within a week or so. I took Aleve cautiously, because I'm on Xarelto, and it helped somewhat. In the months since, I still sometimes experience chest discomfort for unknown reasons, but I don't think it's related to my ablation or anything cardiac because the discomfort seems to intensify in certain positions or when coughing, but not during physical exertion. There have been moments when I was tempted to go to the ER to get myself checked out. I'm chalking it up to the hypervigilance that comes with having a heart issue, and trying to not become too obsessed over it, limiting Kardia readings and blood pressure checks to no more than three or four or seven times a day, Ha!

It is really scary, and uncomfortable. My team have now put me on a steroid. I was on a drug called colchicine and it made me sick. Did you notice the heart pain increase with caffeine or exercise? I got short of breath walking up a flight of stairs yesterday. I just want it to go away.

@dianablocker

I agree, it was/is scary and uncomfortable. Of course, the discomfort you are experiencing may be different from mine. I did not notice heart pain increase with caffeine or during exercise (after exercise sometimes) and I'm not short of breath climbing stairs. The more I learn about my Afib, the more convinced I am that, like so many maladies, it's a highly variable condition that resists a one size fits all treatment plan.

@nevets I agree! It’s funny looking back at this entire journey which began with a diagnosis of PSVT in my 40s. My heart beats were lodged at 290. They completed an ablation and it was wonderful. I was back to work in three days. Approximately seven years after the ablation I experienced second degree heart block with my heart rate dipping into the 20s. So I received a Medtronic pace maker on 12.20.16. A week later a blood clot in my left arm. In May 2017 while swimming my pacemaker tore from my chest and migrated to my armpit. Causing yet another surgery.
Until 2025 things seemed to be working no blood clots, and no crazy mishaps. However, I started feeling my heart racing and I became light headed and short of breath. Due to me having a pacemaker the cardiac team could view my arrhythmias. On May 10, 2025 I was in a fib for approximately 6 1/2 hours. And again on October 19, 2025 another 6 1/2 hour stent. From October 19, 2025 until my ablation on December 3, 2025 I had 82 episodes of Afib. I was extremely excited to be able to have another ablation because I did so well the first time. However, it was a different type of ablation instead of heat. They did the radio frequency. Which now has turned into three weeks of pericarditis. I noticed yesterday that I had no heart pain or discomfort until about 10:15 AM. Then it was the rest of the evening that I felt the pressure in my chest. I spoke to my cardiologist yesterday and they want to do a heart catheterization to see if there are any blockages. So until then I am off work, and trying to take it easy, watching my caffeine intake, as well as exerting myself. It has been quite the journey with my cardiac team. I just wish that they could figure out what to do so that I could regain my life.

@dianablocker
You've been on a rough road. It can get discouraging when the docs seem unable to figure out a solution. Hopefully things will start trending in a positive direction. Please keep us posted.

I had a PF ablation two and a half weeks ago. My last 2 ablations were in 2012 and I seem to be having a tougher go with this one, I am also experiencing chest pain. It comes in 2 forms and started a few days ago. The first is a very sharp pain (9 out of 10) in the center of my chest that is quick. I usually feel "flush" after it hits. I get it about 4 times a day and it lasts a second or two. The second is more of a throbbing pain, not as sharp (maybe a 5 out of 10) but still concerning. This one is slightly left of chest center and lasts about 20 - 30 seconds.

@dianablocker yes, I woke up with chest pain on my left side, under my ribs and also it was hurting under my left arm pit. I complained about the pain in recovery and they gave me something which helped. I didn't have any pain really after that except for now, almost 3 weeks later when I am getting sharp piercing pain several times a day.

You should go to see a doctor and explain your symptoms. You may have inflammation or even an infection....for example pericarditis. Or pulmonary vein hypertension, but of which can happen after an ablation.