Signs of Bradycardia and I previously had AF - Will ablation help?

Posted by mks1968 @mks1968, Feb 12 1:30am

I had 2stents fitted in May 21 for narrowing arteries ( minor heart attack).
Then developed AF in December 22, had 2 Cardioversions since then. Not had AF for a Year now, I am on a waiting list to have an Ablation but not sure I should go ahead with it because it’s been so long since I was in AF.
I’ve noticed on a couple of occasions now that I’m going into Bradycardia.
Will an ablation help this or should I get it looked at by a doctor?

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 12 8:51am

@mks1968 Welcome to Mayo Connect, where we are patients and caregivers sharing our journeys. We are not medical professionals, so we refer questions like these back to your care team.
If you already have heart issues, have you brought this new symptom to the attention of your cardiologist? I urge you to do it now, now to wait until May when it is time for the ablation. It may signal another problem with your heart.
They will do some more checking, review your medications and possibly have you wear a monitor for several days to see what is happening.
Can you call your cardiologist to make an appointment?

gloaming | @gloaming | Feb 12 11:22am

An ablation is likely to help, although none of us can predict to what extent. It depends on your degree of pathology. From what I can understand from your post, your AF is rare, intermittent (paroxysmal), and isn't bothersome. So, you seem, to my uneducated eye, to be somewhat stable, and if you want my counsel, or opinion, you probably don't need to be in a rush for an ablation. The EP you consult may feel that you should probably be ablated, but he/she might agree that, for now, let's see how things ride. Your 'burden' is exceedingly low, apparently (maybe this needs to be verified by a Holter monitor, but that is again your EP's call), so you are in a very low risk for cardiomyopathy arising from an arrhythmia...apparently. To be determined.

As to your specific question at the end of your post, I would advise you, yes, to see an expert. You want the brightest bulbs in the business to take a professional look at your full set of circumstances and then to advise you how to proceed.

harveywj | @harveywj | Feb 13 12:19pm

You answered your own question: " Will an ablation help this or should I get it looked at by a doctor?" You cannot get an ablation without seeing an EP. So I think the answer is yes go consult with an EP.

mks1968 | @mks1968 | Feb 14 4:26am

sorry I didn't explain very well. I am already booked in for an ablation to help my AF .

seniormed | @seniormed | Feb 14 12:25pm

Just make sure your Doctor knows and you are on an anticoagulant if
you are in Afib.

sandwalk | @sandwalk | Feb 15 8:10pm

In reply to @harveywj "You answered your own question: " Will an ablation help this or should I get it..." + (show)

Yes sir cardiologist EP specialist you may need a pacemaker

mwmc777 | @mwmc777 | Mar 13 12:50pm

In reply to @sandwalk "Yes sir cardiologist EP specialist you may need a pacemaker" + (show)

I began Afib episodes in 2022 leading to 2 cardioversions and then a Pacemaker. Pacemaker is for my Bradycardia which will keep my heart rate from dropping below 60; it is not for the Afib. Had an ablation in Nov 2023 and was Afib free until Jan 2025 when hospitalized for my first Afib episode since ablation! I had another Cardioversion in Feb which stabilized the rhythm! So here we go again with more med changes and ongoing issues with gait and lightheadedness and vision problems! More followups with Drs continuing. Definitely stressful.

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