1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions
Profile picture for mikeneverwired

Difficulty exercising after aFIB and SVT ablation

Posted by mikeneverwired @mikeneverwired, Jun 15, 2025

I just had a procedure (6/10/25) to address my recurring rhythm issues including SVT and ablation. My heart seems to have calmed down quite a bit relative to pre-surgery but I am wondering how long it takes to get back into a normal exercise routine. I have been walking daily but am finding myself winded and tired. I hope this is transient but am not sure. I want to get back up into the mountains to hike some tall rocky mountain peaks (it is summertime after all)!

Thoughts?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

Profile picture for patty2025
patty2025 | @patty2025 | Jun 24, 2025
In reply to @gloaming "You are most welcome. Would you consider coming back, when you feel up to it, and..." + (show)
Profile picture for gloaming @gloaming

You are most welcome. Would you consider coming back, when you feel up to it, and tell us YOUR experience? It may be quite different, and I think onlookers might like to read another experience for their peace of mind or to round out the ranges of experiences possible.

Jump to this post

Definitely.

REPLY
Profile picture for aard
aard | @aard | Jun 24, 2025
In reply to @otiswinston "Thanks for this. Especially the Nepal trekking reference. I had a pulse field ablation 5 weeks..." + (show)
Profile picture for otiswinston @otiswinston

Thanks for this. Especially the Nepal trekking reference. I had a pulse field ablation 5 weeks ago at age 72, after 3 years of almost daily episodes. Vigorous exercise was a major trigger for me and stopped me in my tracks in Nepal at 3400m. I had done 5500m several times pre-afib. After 5 weeks I’m in NSR so far and have been wondering if a return to Nepal trekking was realistic. Your post gives me some hope, although I’m still on a beta blocker and antiarrythmia med (plus Eliquis) so my heart rate remains low and I think that will remain a limitation for me at higher altitudes.

Jump to this post

I neglected to mention that I was on diltiazem, flecanaide, and eliquis during that trek. Cardiologist kept me on those meds until I returned at which time, I was off all meds.

REPLY
Profile picture for arche1
arche1 | @arche1 | Jun 24, 2025
In reply to @mikeneverwired "Hi Folks, I am happy to report that I was able to hike about 8 miles..." + (show)
Profile picture for mikeneverwired @mikeneverwired

Hi Folks,
I am happy to report that I was able to hike about 8 miles last week with an elevation gain of roughly 1500' and all went well. The only thing I have post hike are sore legs... so I am going to begin hiking at higher altitudes in the coming weeks. Thank you for all the support. It helped!

Jump to this post

sounds like you do not need any medical thing or its vodoos

REPLY
Profile picture for hurricane188
hurricane188 | @hurricane188 | Jun 29, 2025

I had a PFA in February,2025. 2 hours post procedure while in post anesthesia recovery room, I started feeling very dizzy with chest pain. EP and anesthesiologist called in and diagnosed a moderate pericardial effusion. Went back to OR and had catheter placed to drain blood. Sent to CV ICU for 2 days. No real answers why this happened. One week after discharge, I had echocardiogram which showed no pericardial effusion. Prior to PFA I had well controlled Afib for 2 years. Cardiologist and EP thought I was good candidate to stop anti arrhythmia medication and possibly blood thinner. So far, no episodes of Afib that I know of. Wear Apple Watch and utilize Kardiamobile. Had 3 short episodes of high heart rate which I am thinking is part of blanking period. Follow up with EP in August and hope to start weaning off flecainide. Thought I would share my story with group. I am walking and going to yoga and feel good.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for mikeneverwired
mikeneverwired | @mikeneverwired | Jun 30, 2025
In reply to @hurricane188 "I had a PFA in February,2025. 2 hours post procedure while in post anesthesia recovery room,..." + (show)
Profile picture for hurricane188 @hurricane188

I had a PFA in February,2025. 2 hours post procedure while in post anesthesia recovery room, I started feeling very dizzy with chest pain. EP and anesthesiologist called in and diagnosed a moderate pericardial effusion. Went back to OR and had catheter placed to drain blood. Sent to CV ICU for 2 days. No real answers why this happened. One week after discharge, I had echocardiogram which showed no pericardial effusion. Prior to PFA I had well controlled Afib for 2 years. Cardiologist and EP thought I was good candidate to stop anti arrhythmia medication and possibly blood thinner. So far, no episodes of Afib that I know of. Wear Apple Watch and utilize Kardiamobile. Had 3 short episodes of high heart rate which I am thinking is part of blanking period. Follow up with EP in August and hope to start weaning off flecainide. Thought I would share my story with group. I am walking and going to yoga and feel good.

Jump to this post

Congratulations! It sounds like you are on the road to full recovery! Have a great summer!

REPLY
Profile picture for wcuro
wcuro | @wcuro | Jun 30, 2025

Are you on a beta blocker for the SVT? Beta blockers are designed to keep your heart rate down, and as a result, make a person exercise intolerant. The necessary increased heart rate which delivers additional oxygen during exercise don’t happen because of the beta blockers- making one breathless and tired. I have this problem and can forget about aerobic exercise which works toward getting the heart rate up.

REPLY
Profile picture for debielou
debielou | @debielou | Jul 23 10:43am

I had my ablation a month ago and I have little bouts of energy, but I have to catch my breath just to go up a flight of stairs, then I’m so exhausted I have to rest , I want to walk or excersize. I’m spent. I know how you feel.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for gloaming
gloaming | @gloaming | Jul 23 11:45am
In reply to @debielou "I had my ablation a month ago and I have little bouts of energy, but I..." + (show)
Profile picture for debielou @debielou

I had my ablation a month ago and I have little bouts of energy, but I have to catch my breath just to go up a flight of stairs, then I’m so exhausted I have to rest , I want to walk or excersize. I’m spent. I know how you feel.

Jump to this post

@debielou Was cardiac rehab suggested to you? There ought to be a clinic within an hour's drive of you to get your heart reconditioned, assuming it IS the heart and not lungs or some other thing....thyroid, etc.

REPLY
Profile picture for babheart
babheart | @babheart | Jul 24 8:44pm

I’m 4 + mos since ablation w ongoing problems tolerating activity and my EP said Cardiac Rehab would not accept me nor would insurance cover it. Perhaps that’s a function of availability given open heart/heart attack folks needing rehab

REPLY
Profile picture for aard
aard | @aard | Jul 25 5:01pm

I was not offered cardiac rehab after my ablation, only after I had mitral valve repair. While an ablation causes scarring in your heart tissue, I generally don't think that an ablation would set your heart back much as it should have a direct improvement on heart function. ....just a guess on my part.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.