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Ablation for Afib

Posted by mec151 @mec151, May 16 10:21am

I’m looking for shared experiences with folks who have had only one or two AFib occurrences over six months. I am in that situation right now where I had two AFib episodes in November 24 and am being encouraged to have an ablation. Currently, I am not on any meds. But, if I should have an episode I have a med protocol of metoprolol and eliquis. I monitor 24/7 with an Apple Watch and an Oura. Any advice on how to reduce the chance of recurrence? I’m not thrilled about the ablation.

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Profile picture for lovlielovie
lovlielovie | @lovlielovie | Aug 8 8:18pm
In reply to @mec151 "Dear Lovelielovie (I love that name). I am scheduled for an ablation on 9/11/25. I am..." + (show)
Profile picture for mec151 @mec151

Dear Lovelielovie (I love that name). I am scheduled for an ablation on 9/11/25. I am anxious about the procedure but am very encouraged by your confidence, I too hope that an ablation will resolve the AFib. I am having my CT scan on 8/27/25. Fingers crossed. Wishing you a great outcome.

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@mec151 please keep us updated! Wishing you well!
Thankful for this community.

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abob | @abob | Aug 9 10:35am
In reply to @mec151 "Dear Lovelielovie (I love that name). I am scheduled for an ablation on 9/11/25. I am..." + (show)
Profile picture for mec151 @mec151

Dear Lovelielovie (I love that name). I am scheduled for an ablation on 9/11/25. I am anxious about the procedure but am very encouraged by your confidence, I too hope that an ablation will resolve the AFib. I am having my CT scan on 8/27/25. Fingers crossed. Wishing you a great outcome.

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My husband 77 was very apprehensive prior to ablation, he was given 65% success rate. EP found 2 afib and flutter areas. It took several hrs but it went well. After a few weeks he was in normal sinus rhythm.

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the | @the | Aug 9 12:40pm

I was watching my iWatch like a hawk after adulation. Showed AFIB about 10% of the time. Wore a heart monitor for 2 weeks, no Afib. Turns out IWatch and Karina misread PACs as Afib. So no more iWatch. Be careful not to get obsessed about your Afib.

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the | @the | Aug 9 12:42pm

Adulation was 100% effective and no big deal. Back exercising
And living my life after 4 days.

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the | @the | Aug 9 12:50pm
In reply to @diane987654321 "I got afib after covid. I only had 3 episodes in the first 6 months, then..." + (show)
Profile picture for diane987654321 @diane987654321

I got afib after covid. I only had 3 episodes in the first 6 months, then it increased to once a week, then to once every 3 weeks after I figured out moderate exercise was a trigger. I do vagal nerve stim every night now too . I got ablated 10 days ago. I suggest you get a Kardia too, just wearing my watch only catches half of my episodes, and the watch’s ecg is handy but not as good as Kardia. I got a wellue ecg too, that thing is great. I did metoprolol then 60 min later flecainide when I got afib. I said “did”because I’m hopeful I won’t have any more afib! It took a solid 8 days to recover after the ablation, my groin was very mad at me.

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Karina and IWatch can misread PACs as Afib. Be careful relying on readings. My IWatch was showing Afib but 2 weeks of wearing Zios hear monitor showed none Afib just PACs.

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richey | @richey | Aug 9 3:48pm

mec151, what type of ablation are you having on 9-11-25? And to address what type of Afib?

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susanrr | @susanrr | Aug 10 2:19pm
In reply to @lwools "I also have AF about 2% of the time. It has been higher but I’m trying..." + (show)
Profile picture for lwools @lwools

I also have AF about 2% of the time. It has been higher but I’m trying to control it with diet and exercise. I am on a baby aspirin a day and Metoprolol which makes me fatigued. The Cardiologist want me to go on eliquis but I am refusing it at this time. Should it get worse I may reconsider!

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If you are using an Apple Watch to track your AFib, the lowest percentage on the watch is 2%, even if you are having no AFib at all. The only way to tell if you are having AFib is to wear a Holter heart monitor which is a continuous recording.

Metropolol slows down your heart rate and I was prescribed it to use as a pill in the pocket for if my heart raced and wouldn't slow down. It also made me tired. I am not a doctor, but if your heart rate is OK, there is no reason to take beta or calcium channel blockers.

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susanrr | @susanrr | Aug 10 2:21pm
In reply to @the "Karina and IWatch can misread PACs as Afib. Be careful relying on readings. My IWatch was..." + (show)
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Karina and IWatch can misread PACs as Afib. Be careful relying on readings. My IWatch was showing Afib but 2 weeks of wearing Zios hear monitor showed none Afib just PACs.

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I was also told that the Apple Watch can misread PACs and PVCs as Afib (by my cardio nurse) and that does appear to be the case. I had the same experience as you with a heart monitor showing no AFib, but a 6% burden of PACs and PVCs.

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sudsy/David Sutherland | @sudsy | 1 day ago

Hi all,
I am new to this group, but not to afib. I am also in group for withdrawing from benzodiazepines. I am 79 my history of afib goes way back to my teenage years. I find it somewhat amusing that when I was first examined for irregular heartbeats I was told I just had a "nervous heart" by every doctor I mentioned the problem to. Now, when I tell a doctor about having a nervous heart they shake their head and say they have never heard of that.
Fast forward to present day. I have been in treatment for afib now for two years, and I have had three cardioversions, and a month ago I had my first ablation. I'm sure it was all that successful as I still have the extra heartbeat occasionally. The doctor (cardiologist) said I have an atypical anatomy, since the ablation took four hours to do what normally only takes an hour. I was left with a large hematoma on one side where he couldn't get the catheter through my groin artery.
I am currently on Sotalol along with Eliquis and Losartan. I believe I am doing well at this point, but the next procedure will be a pacemaker, if it becomes necessary.
I wanted to share my experience with this group, so thank you for reading.

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deniseheart | @deniseheart | 2 hours ago

If you are given a suggestion of ablation, look into Pulse Field Ablation (PFA). It seems to be safer than the regular ablation. It uses short electrical pulses instead of heat/cold (radiofrequency/cryo) to destroy the problem heart tissue. There is also the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) closure devices. Talk with your electrophysiologist for all of your options.

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