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Scared about Ablation for AFib.
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Nov 15, 2023 | Replies (39)Comment receiving replies
Linda, how bad is your afib? How often do you have episodes? And, how bad are the episodes? I'm curious because I was just diagnosed 3/8 and have no idea what lies ahead for me. I see my GP this morning and assume I will get a referral to a cardiologist. I may be facing an ablation as well.
Replies to "Linda, how bad is your afib? How often do you have episodes? And, how bad are..."
Hi Catmom, My understand it that you need an ablation when your heart rhythm is totally out of whack...and other means like meds can't control it. You may find that the doctor says to just cut out stimulants and you will be fine. Btw, do you ever drink coffee or tea? For me, even a half cup of caffeinated coffee and my heart thumps and races to well over 100 beats per minute. Too many carbs do the same thing. Check any supplements you take. Often there is a stimulant in them. Spicy foods like you had the other night can also stimulate the heart. And as I said in a previous message, if your doctor thought your condition were serious, he/she would have sent you directly to the ER. Keep a record of your events to show the cardiologist.
You asked something about pain in the chest. According to my cardiologist, a heart pain or discomfort moves...travels up the arm or into the neck etc.. In any case, it is not in one spot. That is how I know if what I am feeling is cardiac related or not. And I have had a discomfort that radiates here and there so I presume has been my heart. It is reassuring when it is in one place because it is likely a chest muscle. I am not a doctor but I am repeating what the cardiologist told me.
Relax and try not to focus on your heart. You'll be fine until you see the cardiologist. I think that by nature you are a worry wort, right?
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catmom777…..I am SO sorry I didn't respond today. I ended up having a lot of friends and family stop by because they knew how freaked out I was. While it was just what I needed to relax a little, I'm now running around like a chicken with no head getting all my stuff ready to check into the hospital at 7am. I promise I will write to you as soon as possible and respond to your questions. You MAY end up going the ablation route, too, but there are a few things they will try long before it is decided an ablation would be the best next step. I think, like me, you are putting the cart before the horse! But again, I will write to you as soon as possible. Take good care of yourself! Linda