@nanalu
Hello! I completely understand your hesitation for an AV Node Ablation. My EP was "pushing" for that for me for months; I was very reluctant - but finally did agree. I had the procedure last August, 8 months ago. The procedure is very successful and very quick (as far as ablations go). As you know, it "burns the bridge" (the AV Node) between the atria and the ventricles. The pacemaker controls the heart rhythm in your ventricles, so your pulse will be regular, according to the settings on the pacemaker.

I just had my pacemaker adjusted because I was getting so short of breath while exercising. They adjusted the response rate. He explained that if I was trying to climb a hill, and my heart rate was staying at 60, I would be short of breath working so hard. Letting my heart rate increase for exercise made a difference. Keep in mind that a pacemaker can be "tweaked" often; very few of us can live with the 'default' settings!

Your second question... YES, you can still go into AFIB. However, it will not affect your heart rate, because they "burned the bridge". That was also a big concern of mine. I did go into AFIB, and I was alerted by the Pacemaker clinic. According to my Apple Watch and my KardiaMobile, I am NOT in AFIB (I believe those devices key off the pulse rate). According to my EP, my shortness of breath has nothing to do with being in AFIB. Since I am also dealing with lung toxicity (from Amiodarone) and diastolic dysfunction, I have multiple potential causes.

Looking back (although I fought it for months), I am glad I had the procedure. NONE of the meds worked for me, and I was frequently in AFIB with RVR. I am now able to stop all the Antiarrhythmic meds!! Good luck! Let me know what you decide.