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Chest pain after pulsed field ablation
I had pulsed field ablation for paroxysmal Afib nine days ago. I'm experiencing chest discomfort behind my sternum that sometimes gets worse when breathing in and certain positions. My EP says it's not unusual, likely pericarditis, and I should take Motrin until it resolves (even though I take Xarelto). Anyone else experience this? Thanks
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Did you ever get answers or relief? I’m experience the same thing. It’s terrible.
@dianablocker
It's been 11+ months since my PF ablation, and I was troubled by chest discomfort for weeks after the procedure. EP said it's probably pericarditis and I should take Motrin and that it should subside within a week or so. I took Aleve cautiously, because I'm on Xarelto, and it helped somewhat. In the months since, I still sometimes experience chest discomfort for unknown reasons, but I don't think it's related to my ablation or anything cardiac because the discomfort seems to intensify in certain positions or when coughing, but not during physical exertion. There have been moments when I was tempted to go to the ER to get myself checked out. I'm chalking it up to the hypervigilance that comes with having a heart issue, and trying to not become too obsessed over it, limiting Kardia readings and blood pressure checks to no more than three or four or seven times a day, Ha!
It is really scary, and uncomfortable. My team have now put me on a steroid. I was on a drug called colchicine and it made me sick. Did you notice the heart pain increase with caffeine or exercise? I got short of breath walking up a flight of stairs yesterday. I just want it to go away.
@dianablocker
I agree, it was/is scary and uncomfortable. Of course, the discomfort you are experiencing may be different from mine. I did not notice heart pain increase with caffeine or during exercise (after exercise sometimes) and I'm not short of breath climbing stairs. The more I learn about my Afib, the more convinced I am that, like so many maladies, it's a highly variable condition that resists a one size fits all treatment plan.