Ablation

You need more feedback about what is really going on and what you fear or suspect might be going on. I suggest a Kardia 6L, only a few dollars, no subscription required (although if you subscribe you get improved function and data), and they're small and thin, won't take up any room in your purse or backpack. Take a reading any time your dread pops up and you think you might be slightly or fully arrhythmic.

Are you still on any medications?

I had my first (and hopefully only) ablation in November 2025; I had some PAC's afterward and was worried that I had traded in one arrhythymia for another, but I was reassured by my cardiologist that many people have these "skipped beats" sensation and I was much better off than before. After I stopped worrying so much about it, I have been fine with no A-fib and very little awarenss of an occasional PAC. I certainly know that everyone is different and I understand your anxiety completely. I would contact your doc if you continue to feel lousy; do you have a "mychart" way to ask a question or express a concern. I like this method so I don't have to get an appointment to find out if I should be concerned with something. Also, watch some YouTube videos on A-fib information to get some perspective on how your particular history of A-fib can affect your long term success with an ablation. I was encouraged that lifestyle changes can play a big part in how successful you can be with controlling the episodes. I gave up all alcohol, watch the caffeine (drink 1/2 caf all the time), keep well hydrated, try to sleep in a non-triggering position, avoid processed foods if I can, and lost 10 pounds, even though I was not overweight. I have been so pleased with my results. I exercise every day at the gym--a really vigorous workout for an 80 year old! So hang in there; try to relax, take your meds and learn all you can to protect yourself from "triggers." Good luck and know that you are not alone! We have lots of fellow patients!

I had my first (and only, so far) ablation on Oct 8, 2025 to fix atrial flutter. All seemed good at the time, and my EP said he even tried to stimulate Afib during the procedure, of which he was unsuccessful (and happy about). Metoprolol was cut from 50mg per day to 25mg per day on the day of ablation. On Jan 7, 2026 metoprolol was reduced to 12.5mg per day for a week, then stopped. By late Jan/early Feb 2026 I was noticing a few palpitations. I figured this was a short-term issue (primarily from readings). By April, I mentioned to cardiologist. He thought the issue would resolve. Palps continued to become more noticeable, particularly at bedtime and during the night, and I was dizzy a couple of times. In June, cardiologist order a Holter (actually a Zio) Monitor to be worn for 14 days. Results came in this week:

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS: Patient had a min HR of 45 bpm, max HR of 152 bpm, and avg HR of 63 bpm. Predominant underlying rhythm was Sinus Rhythm. First Degree AV Block was present. Intermittent Bundle Branch Block was present. 44 Supraventricular Tachycardia runs occurred, the run with the fastest interval lasting 5 beats with a max rate of 152 bpm, the longest lasting 13 beats with an avg rate of 113 bpm. Idioventricular Rhythm was present. Supraventricular Tachycardia was detected within +/- 45 seconds of symptomatic patient event(s). Isolated SVEs were frequent (14.6%, 179102), SVE Couplets were occasional (1.4%, 8861), and SVE Triplets were rare (<1.0%, 489). Isolated VEs were rare (<1.0%), VE Couplets were rare (<1.0%), and no VE Triplets were present.

I have a regularly scheduled cardiologist appointment on Aug 3, and cardiologist has already referred me to the EP group with appt on Sep 16.

In the meantime, does anyone have experience in reading and interpreting the results? The most concerning to me seems to be the (i) SVEs: 14.6% of all beats were isolated extra SVEs (179,102). There were also occasional pairs (couplets) and rare triplets??? AND (ii) Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) runs: 44 short bursts??? This is kind of unnerving.

Thanks in advance.