Is 81 year old too old for ablation?

Posted by fdixon63 @fdixon63, Aug 10 9:30am

I'm an 81 year old female who had an ablation 11 years ago. Now having problems with being out of rhythm. I am on 200 mg of Amiodorone daily. It helps sometimes but not always. Are there others who are in similar situation--perhaps that did get an ablation? What was your experience following this procedure? Thanks.

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jennyjamescharlotte | @jennyjamescharlotte | Aug 31 1:08am

In reply to @gb76 "@jennyjamescharlotte My mother had cardiac ablation when she was 91, and had absolutely no problems whatsoever...." + (show)

@gb76 Thank you so much!

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Aug 31 8:49am

In reply to @gb76 "@jennyjamescharlotte My mother had cardiac ablation when she was 91, and had absolutely no problems whatsoever...." + (show)

@gb76 - Thanks for sharing your mom's experience. I'll put this story above the negative ones as I wait for Sept. 9th.

JaniceR | @jw87 | 1 day ago

Hi, I am 72 years old and I just had a PFA heart ablation. The new method is much better and without as many risks. I could not believe how well my entry point wound looked for the catheter. It looks like it’s almost already healed and I just had it done four days ago. I had no complications and everything seemed so easy. I was out of options medically. I couldn’t take any of the drugs that they use now for a fib. I was having a fib with RVR where your heart rate goes up to 200 bpm or more. I couldn’t stay that way, so they put me on digoxin while I waited for my ablation date. I will not take amiodarone because I have lung problems and it can have serious effects with your lungs. Anyway, the digoxin helped me a great deal. It’s stabilized the water weight that I’ve been having trouble with, and I suddenly had some energy and motivation. That’s been really hard for me since I have heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Long story short, I feel good after my ablation and I’m hoping that it will take care of the problem for 10 years like yours did. I hope that you go ahead and go through with it because I wouldn’t want to stay on amiodarone for any length of time. I wish you well and I hope everything turns out just the way you want it to. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy the freedom of not having to worry about a fib.

beejee | @beejee | 19 hours ago

I have had three ablations--one at age 77, a second at age 78, and a third at age 83. The first two did not reduce my periodic episodes of a-fib, so my electrophysiologist recommended a third one. After each ablation, I was on amiodarone for a few months, but I was always uneasy about taking it. After each ablation, I requested that I be prescribed propafenone, which I had taken since I first had a-fib problems 17 years ago. I still have some flutter, but at age 86, I count myself fortunate to live a normal life for my age. I hope you can have the same kind of experience as I have had. I still have to be aware of a-fib, but I try not to worry about it or "panic" if I have flutter or a warning on my Kardia monitor of "possible atrial fibrillation."

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | 9 hours ago

In reply to @jw87 "Hi, I am 72 years old and I just had a PFA heart ablation. The new..." + (show)

@jw87 - Thank you for sharing your experience. Tomorrow is my BIG day. I'm so ready. Also anxious to see what my EP is going to recommend for meds going forward.

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | 9 hours ago

In reply to @jw87 "Hi, I am 72 years old and I just had a PFA heart ablation. The new..." + (show)

@jw87 Thank you for your input. Love sharing.

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