I'm considering having one and hope I have great results because this is making me leave work every time this happens.... every week. I got a monitor on right now for 2 weeks, but next appt will be 3 month follow up.
Thank you for discussing alternatives in detail and what an ablation does and doesn't provide. This video allows me to make a better, more informed decision.
Please can anyone tell me if Roemheld syndrome/gastrocardiac syndrome is the same as Afib. I have Afib and the symptoms seem similar. One of them is freezing cold shin bones. Why would that be.
@@pamelamarabini8014 I have a fib going in for my second ablation procedure next week, and know nothing of the freezing shin bones. I don’t know about the other syndrome you refer to however. But still I’m pretty sure they’re not the same thing. I am not a doctor.
As an ex York University alumni I'm so glad you run this channel. When I was at the University and worked at York District Hospital I was crying out for the University to set up a medical school ( and law school). You're doing a great job.
@@dougcoleburn1579 oh no I was only on blood thinners for maybe 5 weeks or so. That's just a precautionary after the procedure. I'm doing great buddy! Living life like before I had afib.
@@CountryBoyTnn I had a sore esophagus only when I swallowed solid food for about a week and a half. Other than that I was perfectly fine. I thought my symptoms would be worse but I felt good
I realize this video is about ablation for atrial fibrillation but I had an ablation for SVT..supra ventricular tachycardia... about 20 years ago. A few times my heart rate reached almost 300 bpm. The Cardiologist told me that I would never have the SVT again and so far I haven't ever had another episode. It totally changed my life for the better!!!
Happy to hear that so ur ablation is success and you said 20yrs ago..how u feeling now?my hear rate up to 300 doc want me to do ablation but im so worried if there is any side effect😢
Thanks for the info I have had two ablations for Afib. My heart beat hit 220 I was so tired I could barely walk. During the second ablation they found I had left ventricle dysfunction. Ablation improved my life immensely. It’s wonderful to access info like this. Well done and thanks. Keep up the good work.
Thanks so much for this info, doc. My own cardiologist is so busy he would never have time to go into this info. I saw him recently... 10 minutes max then whoosh... out the door and on to the next patient. So your YT info is a great supplement. Thank you!
MY cardiologist is SO busy with tooooo many overloaded with patients 👈🏻 I ONLY see him in the hospital 🏥 when I end up in afib 😱 it SERIOUSLY should be a law that a doctor especially cardiologist can ONLY have SO many patients at a time 👈🏻
I’ve had two ablation procedures. I’m feeling great. Quality of life dramatically improved. Back to teaching my fitness classes. And will continue to take blood thinning medicine to prevent stroke.
Success rates for 1st and 2nd ablation procedures has improved a lot in the past 5 years since Dr. Gupta recorded this. My EP stated 80% success rate (for his patients) for 1st procedure; 95% for a 2nd procedure. Dr. Gupta is correct in his assertion that post procedure some patients complain of ectopics. I'm one such person. Although my EP told me it could take up to 6 months for everything to "settle down" in the heart and pulmonary veins after the procedure. Thank you, Dr. Gupta.
For approx 8 years . I had 3 cardioversion s but kept coming back . I am a very athletic type so it really messed up any exercise programme with some days of shutdown fatigue . I then decided to have an ablation in CTown. A few weeks back . I am really elated with the positive effects both psychologically and physically . No more breathlessness with exercise and no more blood thinners. Even at my age a well worth it procedure done with no after op problems . Thank u again
I had ablation 20 years ago, it worked brilliantly frying 9 electrical pathways that were causing increasingly frequent episodes of rapid heartbeat. Never a problem since. I chose to do it because the next step was more medication and it interfered with my job teaching, meds free ever since. I was very interesting being able to watch the procedure on a screen. Great info in your videos!
Same here with me. I had episodes of paroxysmal tachycardia since 1975 (I was 18 at the time of my first episode). Those attacks were happening 2-5 times a year and my heart rate during episodes was 200-220 bpm. Otherwise, I was healthy young man. I learned to abrupt episodes very easy with modified Valsalva maneuver (getting in supine position as soon as possible after episode started, taking very deep breath-in and holding air in my lungs for 5-7 seconds). Usually that was it. Heart was returning back to normal heart rate (60 bpm) after first attempt. In 1992 I immigrated from USSR to USA, and in 1997 first time in my life I was not able to stop episode by doing that trick. I had to go to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston Mass and Dr. Mark Josephson did ablation. Procedure lasted for 45 minutes. I was fully awake during entire procedure. Now I am 65 (Thanks God). Since 1997 I am totally fine. No A-fib, no heart medications. God Bless USA and memory of wonderful cardiologist Dr. Josephson (unfortunately, he has passed away in 2017).
Thank you. This talks directly to me. I was to my nice cardiolog today. She told me that my irregularity has disappeared. I have been losing weight and eat very carefully but is very easy tired when I walk upstairs. She also said that my pulse is better but still too high. But I can´t stop taken the betablockers och dioxion she said and looked me seriosly in my eyes. She offered me to have a pacemaker and then an ablation. I said that I am almost 80 years old but even my pulse is a little high and easy got tired upstairs I feel okey. She earlier said that an ablation is a serios thing to do and I understand why. So I said no. It is always a little scary to do that so when I listen to your video I feel I did the right thing. It is not easy to decide in a short doctors meeting so I have thought a lot about it during the day. Now I go on with losing weight, meditate and accept that my life is a little reduced but still it is okey in many ways. Tnanks again for your important videos.
Thanks to Mother India for providing us with some Excellent Cardiologists, I have one here in Florida too (my age) ! He checks my heart, but I do my share: regular Excerzize, Meditation, Weight etc. In 21 I took 4 Metoprolol for irregularities- kicked my heart right back into sinus. All good - 75 in a couple of months - and now enjoying ONE glass of wine after 30 mins on my bike. I have been troubled by irregularities since i was 18 years old. Now I have less than I ever had ! Have a great weekend.
I am scheduled for this procedure in March. However, my brother-in-law underwent an emergency one February 4th. It was UNSUCCESSFUL❗❗ Once they were in the heart, they could not determine or locate the AFIB. He had to stay in hospital 6 days to establish medications, lifestyles and etc. He was an active 66 year old and now is sedentary, I'll and frustrated. Needless to say, he is worse off now than before. The doctors have been treating me with meds for 5 years now and my condition has steadily gotten worse. My mobility is now in jeopardy. I am afraid, confused and undecided. My family are in favour of the procedure more for their benefit than mine. All comments welcome !!!!🤔
Until March I think you should often tell yourself that the procedure is going to be SUCCESSFUL. Your brother-in-law was unlucky and I am sorry, but it doesn't mean you will be too. I understand fear is overcoming you. In my case, the a-fib is getting worse, medication doesn't work and I also have to decide what step to take. I am also scared but I have to take a decision. Good luck to you, Mary!
@@callmesenpai6928 Yes, it's not uncommon for people to need more than one procedure to eliminate all of the faulty electrical connections causing their hearts to misbehave.
I have been diagnosed with AFIB since 2007 ,I had a cardioversion which kept my heart in rhythm for 5 years when the AFIB returned I changed my diet and lifstyle 360 which has helped my lifestyle tremendously. I am active playing basketball and cycling and working out with AFIB. I will go for another cardioversion again and keep to the diet whichmakes me feel great. Good Luck everyone. Good Health.
I had the procedure done two weeks ago and right now after 2 1/2 weeks I have not had any atrial fibrillation I am in recovery mode right now so far so good
Thank you. You made it very clear that lifestyle changes - weight and sleep apnea- are very important. Our local cardiologists haven't emphasized that.
Thank you for this very helpful video. After many years of episodes of uncomfortable palpitations and tests and investigations l had Afib diagnosed on ECG. Nothing was helping so ablation was proposed. However on your recommendation I started taking magnesium taurate 200 mg daily and the relief of symptoms has been amazing. My electrophysiologist has discharged me. Quality of life has improved 100%. I do take a small dose of oral anticoagulant and blood pressure medication but at 81 years I’m relieved to be rid of the debilitating symptoms. Thank you again for taking time to make your videos.
Magnesium works for some. For some, it doesn’t. I had PVCs and PACs for 8 months straight. I got checked by the cardiologist , took all tests including ALL possibilities of what I could be deficient in. My magnesium was normal. The PVCs and PACs was speculated to induce my afib but I get this once every 4 years. But my echo shows I’m not at risk of anything. I didn’t take any meds. My PVCs and PACs went away and all I did was lose weight and drink more water. I’ve been 40 days arrhythmia free, but, not afib free.
This is the third time I have watched this video. I have lost 8 lbs so far. 60 lbs more will get me to a normal weight (180lbs 6' 0". Which will still be 20 lbs more than when I married my wife over 40 years ago. She just got a pacemaker. I am trying to avoid that. Dr. Gupta - You are a TREASURE. THANKYOU !!! - for the lowdown straight talk on risks benefits and weighing them against each other.
Doctor there aren't enough words to explain my gratitude for your videos. Like many comments below, one of my cardiologist didn't seam to care so I got a second opinion , and have found someone who is better. Ofcourse your videos explain everything in much more better detail. God Bless you !
Thank you so very, very much. I am in this heart situation now. Theses videos help me prepare for my upcoming appointments. Now I am not so afraid…..thank you ever so much. You are such a huge Blessing to me!
Dear Dr. Gupta: I want to whole-heartily thank you for taking the time to make these videos. You have a simplistic way of communicating, and it is refreshing. I find that most cardiologists I have met with have little time to spend with each patient. Hence, efficient explanations of conditions and treatments are lacking. This is frustrating and scary. I am a 44 year old female with two Masters' Degrees, yet sometimes I feel as if my cardiologists are talking down to me. Your videos make the academics of the heart easy to understand, and I thank you for taking the time to explain. You definitely have some controversial positions (AFIB/STROKE), but you present your ideas logically, which makes it worth consideration. I'm really enjoying your videos. Many many thanks. Jennifer P/S I wish you were in the States!!!
Good morning... I must say I have feel a lot better since I have been taking magnesium. Now working on lifestyle changes to improve further. Thank you for sharing.
Dr Gupta, I discovered you ...by chance...two weeks ago and I'm addicted to your videos. I had valvular surgery last October and have two biological heart valves. My heart went into Afib after the surgery. I had a cardioversion but my heart soon returned to Afib. I haven't any symptoms. I am grateful I saw this video because I am due to see my cardiologist in a few weeks' time and now I'll be armed with the right information regarding an ablation should it be offered to me. Meant to be!! Thank you. I did share the video on FB by the way!!
Thank you, doctor. You have a wholistic approach to diagnostic explanations and that is wonderful for us patients. I wish I had come across your videos before my ablation procedure for excessive pvc's. I was desperate to return to my work which requires yearly EKG's and was willing to do anything to rectify my situation. In hindsight, I believe that if I had cleaned up my lifestyle some, i.e. lost 20-30 lbs, reduced caffeine intake, cleaned up my diet and exercised more, I may have been successful in treating my own problem.
@@davidconstant4716 Hi David, My procedure was very effective initially, but there is a caveat when considering ablation. You are basically burning a small area of the heart to create scar tissue which blocks the area where the electrical impulses are emanating from. Burn too much, you could have serious permanent damage to the muscle tissue. Burn too little, and the arrhythmia's will return, eventually. That is what happened to me. But because my condition corrected itself by about 90%, we chose to supplement drugs to treat any ongoing issues. The drugs I take are basically blood pressure meds that help regulate your heartbeat. Four years later and everything is going as well as could be expected. I do have to submit a battery of cardiac tests every summer to maintain my license. Cheers and good luck with your procedure!
I was having 2-4 episodes of SVT per week, brought on during martial arts training or any other intense exercise. I am now 6 weeks out and it was the best thing I have ever done. After 20 years of SVT following exercise, and skipping beats throughout the day, I feel like a new person. I was extremely apprehensive going into this. I wont even take a Tylenol unless I am in real pain. I even recovered from a ruptured Achilles using non-surgical methods I was so worried about being put under. But, I faced all my fears and apprehensions and just did it, and am so glad that I did. I highly recommend this procedure if A-fib or SVT is effecting your life. Do your research. Find the best facility and doctor you can find, and do it.
This guy speaks to me more than my doc! Thanks you have on several occasions gave me the answers I need! 5 years into paroxysmal afib an I do want a better quality of life, having this sux!
Because he’s a younger doctor. Most doctors over 50 are tired and used to routine by routine treatments and they know what works and what’s not. Most doctors you see are schedule driven so if you’re seeing a doctor for 20-30 minutes, you’ll see if him or her for that time and they are out and you see the nurse or nurse practitioner afterwards. I’ve had a chance to talk to my cardiologist about my persistent pvcs. After 3 years of suffering from it without explanation of treatment, I finally expressed my thoughts with the doctor that I need more answers. He sat with me for 30 minutes and talked. Best conversation I had. Comforted but still no answers on why my heart have PVCs and PACs. I say it may get worse as I age. I’m a former boxer. Must’ve been from days of training and it changed my heart.
Thank you so much for addressing this topic! I thought it was just something that was easily done and didn't know about the risks at all. I greatly appreciate this
I will see an electrophysiologist today an I have read so much in the last months that I am now scared an all mixed up as to what choices to make. As as a retired Respiratory Therapist I have enough knowledge to be dangerous to myself. Thank you for your calm approaches to afib and I hope I will make the right choice. I don't want to take anti rhythmic drugs.
Iv had 3 pvi ablations for lone AFib. I’m 52 years old, male, normal structural heart, had palpatations since my early twenties. I still get breakthrough episodes of AFib 4 to 5 hours duration every 2 months nearly always in the early hours.! I would say I am in a lot better place than I was a few years ago👍 I still get ectopic beats for days sometimes too.😡 my cardiologist has told me that it is not unreasonable for him to ablate me a fourth time so I’m hoping to be in again at the end of this year. When I was first diagnosed 5 years ago I was told to learn as much about AFib as I can. I have learnt so much from watching dr Gupta. He explains things in a really understandable way. We are so lucky to have this gentleman giving us knowledge. Thankyou very much sir.
I had one ablation 11 years ago... ( under local anesthetics) . Procedure was horrible but the results are great. Had some irregularities for more then a year but never had atrium fibrillation anymore. Even that went away. So my results in the long terms were also good. It all started after i had a flew.
@@charlesschauer8927 They give you something to replicate the symptoms so your heart is racing and you cannot be simultaneously knocked out. It was the worst experience of my life (the ablation procedure)... you are strapped down, hot, scared, feel like you’re having a heart attack... and in my case I was nauseous too, lying on my back dry-heaving. Meanwhile you can hear all conversation and are aware of everything around you, also visual hallucinations when the eyes are closed! Just the worst...
@@MissWeezeyUSA That is very odd. I live in the US and had an ablation 4 months ago. It was done under General Anaesthesia. I know others who have had it done and also had General Anaesthesia. I have never heard of an ablation being done under local anaesthsia, or even conscious sedation.
@@kathrynmat6857 I wish I would have had that option, that’s what rules out a revision for me, out of the question. By the way... my procedure was at Loma Linda International Heart Institute... supposed to be world class.
Stroke scares me more than anything...too many risks...I've researched this for a while. Thank you for your video..I wish doctors could explain these things to us like you do.
I was under the wrong impression that because I had no symptoms of AFIB, it was no big deal. Thanks to Sanjay (I think!) I've learned there are many issues and problems that are happening within your body because of AFIB. Blood thinning medication is a necessity to avoid the risk of blood clots and strokes, as is life style changes, diet, exercise, good sleep and pacemakers. Ablation is a last resort for me!
Thank you for a really interesting video. I have been on the atrial fibulation support forum and there are a lot of Americans on there. They all seem to be desperately wanting an ablation, they think they are going to be cured. After watching your video I am even more determined not to have my lovely heart burned even if it misbehaves every couple of weeks. The annoying thing is that I do have a very good diet, lots of exercise and I am not over weight and still have it, but with all the information on your videos I have become much calmer about it all.
+springtime445 I am probably in the same boat as you are. I watch my diet, treating for sleep apnea, exercising regularly. I get an episode about twice a month. I am not looking forward to any invasive procedures. However, I am told the episodes tend to progressively get worse as time passes by. At that point it may be difficult to get a procedure done and expect good results. I am having AFIB for just over an year and will watch it for the next year or so. Good luck to you.
Viraj Wikramanayake that's exactly what they told me . They like to get it before it makes new pathways and once your in it for good the out come from an ablation is reduced for it to be cured 🙁💔 it's so hard to decide . But I have had one 7 hour run of it and that was enough for me 😢😰it apserlutely terrified me .
I have had an ablation, now two years ago. I really had no choice as my heart would go into AF without warning, very scary my back seemed to even shake with the episode. I was 64 with type 1 Diabetes. Not over weight, didn't drink or smoke. They tries me on a beta blocker , disaster, nearly stopped my heart it beat so slow and irregular. So electrical cardiologist said no choice I must have an ablation. It took about 7 months before I felt any good, but still much better for having the ablation, even though not as good as before af came along .the cardiologist told me I probably had it in more mild form for 10 years before it got bad, and I didn't know, thought when my heart use to race after climbing the bank after scuba diving that was normal. Must get a good electrical cardiologist who does ablation,'s often, and so knows his stuff.
Northwestern's top electrocardiologist wanted to perform RF Catheter Ablation for my PVCs 23 years ago. I was training for a Marathon at the time. I said Nay Nay. Glad I did. Then he wanted to put me on Beta Blockers, which I again declined. So far, so good. It was the right decision both times. PVCs hardly happen now.
This was so informative to me and it actually stopped me in my tracks when you said if you continue to have AF the more likely you will have more AF and it would be better to be treated NOW because more likely it would work on top of the diet the sleep apnea lifestyle changes. I am definitely working on lifestyle changes and pray that my AF will die down. Otherwise I am scared to death to have Oblation done. I am 62 years and I have been diagnosed with AF 7 years ago. Also I’ve had two heart attacks, two stents, i’m diagnosed with cardiovascular Disease in 2007. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge
I’m 64 and having a ablation done on the 23rd. My first AF episode was 12 years ago. I’m now on a 240mg dose of calcium channel blockers among other drugs. I’ve been hospitalized twice and several trips to the er because of AF. Each visit to the ER if $1200 out of pocket not to mention the hospital stays and meds. At my heaviest I was 209 I am now 177 due to A Mediterranean diet. My reasons for having the procedure is financial and I don’t care for being dependent on drugs to keep my heart in rhythm.
No reason to be scared of ablation. I’ve had 2 at 59, the second was a redo. Absolutely no question, the best decision I made about fixing my afib. Yes I was told that if/when it becomes persistent it would be much harder to treat, so I went ahead with ablation. No regrets. I’ve had some minor episodes post procedure, but generally 90% better and off all medication. My biggest enemy is stress which as all us ‘afibbers’ know can trigger an episode (along with alcohol, coffee, bad diet, hypertension etc) but is very difficult to limit with the demands of work etc.
Dr.G, I agree with you. Everyday people are uneducated and run for these procedure without noting that the success rate is low. Please people consider your options and maybe even go see a cardiovascular surgeon for consultation regarding other options such as a maze. Research people, educate yourselves.
I love your videos you always speak the truth. I noticed the second time when I was hung over my heart with a race and sure enough they were quick to offer me this procedure when I’m sober I have no problems that always seems like the next day my heart would race, so where it boils down to is I just don’t drink anymore
I had my ablation at St Michaels which returned me to natural rhythm . I was awake and felt pain when the burning occurred and was told not move. When I exercise aggressively, especially if under stress, I occasionally spike in terms of heart rate. It only lasts a minute but can rise to 190 . My ablation was in 2009 . I developed both Atrial Flutter and atrial fibrillation during my bypass surgery in 2007. So far so good
I had an RF ablation some ten years ago for paroxysmal afib it hurt but they soon put me out and I didn't come round for some 8 hours it was worth it as I was afib free for those 10+ years which was so worth it. I said at the time I wouldn't think twice about having it done again although my only concern was why are you awake and aware when they burn you which was very painful. Anyway recently I had a fast afib attack which needed electrical cardioversion in A and E followed by amiodarone tabs daily for six months they are nasty my hair started falling out I saw the cardiologist who said we'll book you in for a top up ablation but you will need to lose weight as well after or it will come back. This time I had a cryo ablation my god the pain in my chest shoulders and head was excruciating unbearable I begged them to stop they said not long now but didn't put me out. I could not go through that pain again it was the worst brain freeze you couldn't even imagine the shoulder s was the worst pain in angry and feel let down that they did not put me out I would not have cryo again but it gets worse for six weeks now following the procedure I am unable to walk very far or at all up any even slight incline as my frenic nerve has been damaged during the procedure and my right side of my diaphragm is paralyzed I can only sleep in one position if I want to breath sitting makes me short of breath and I am self employed but cannot work I am house bound basically and awaiting a diaphragmatic screening at the hospital's pleasure six weeks of torment trapped at home struggling to breathe and God knows what I will have to go through next to fix it if they even can I am so depressed I was a fit healthy male who is now a cripple walking around slowly gasping for air like an old man I can't believe this has happened to me or that the hospital expect me to wait 3 month's for screening to see if it gets better on it's own financially I am ruined and have lost my business a 2%chance in a thousand of this happening they said when they got me to sign the form .
@@davidconstant4716 I can't advise you as they say it's very rare it goes wrong me personally i would do it again but maybe go for RF ablation as in my first proceedure. I am graduly getting my breathing back.
I watched this video trying to make my mind up about having ablation..after talking to doctors one said I should stay on tablets other wasn’t encouraging me to have ablation …then I saw your video and that was it suffered SVT for 9 years now I’m SVT free thanks to you I’ll always be grateful I came across your video.
@@heatherjames-bq2vt yes I did 7years now best thing I ever did I would encourage anyone who suffers from SVT like I did to have it done …I can enjoy life again without worrying about visits to hospital every time I had an SVT.
Afib is a mixed bag for many people who have this condition. If your heart rate is up at 200bpm, this is a big concern. Especially if it's persistent afib. Best to get the cardiologist to get you to the right path of wether ablation is the right path or not. Dr sanjay is right about the possible outcomes after ablation years later in the future. It depends on the procedure. We don't know what these ablations will do in the heart years later. But I know someone who had done the ablation in the 90s and is still going strong with zero heart issues. If you were to get these ablations now, best to see an EP with the best advanced equipment and technology so they can properly apply the right amount of ablation. All it will do is scar the heart tissue and disconnect the arrhythmia. But who knows what this scarring will do later in life.
I went through 3 ablations that completely sent my afib over the edge, to a point where I could barely live any more. Those ablations did far, far more harm than good. It was so bad, I opted to have a cut-and-sew maze just to get some semblance of a life back. So while ablations might be all the rave in afib / ectopic circles, they can absolutely also have a dark side.
I'm sorry you had such bad results. I had an ablation done last June after a valve repair in January, and I feel like a new person! I would have done it again if necessary. Perhaps the right doctor has something to do with it?
I’ve just had my second ablation. First one I had a bad episode of SVT a week later. I feel a lot better after the second one than I did after the first one.
Is a mixture of powerful and sometimes "toxic" drugs taken daily NOT an "invasive procedure"? If the side effects of the drugs are diminishing your quality of life, shouldn't that be a consideration? Thank you for this video. Perhaps it is time to do an update. This procedure has been evolving rapidly. I'd like to see the facts on what current ablation procedures consist of and what are the risks now?
I'm 66 and have AF with no symptoms. I also had complete heart block (equivalent to AV node ablation?) and had a pacemaker put in a few weeks ago. I was offered ablation so that I wouldn't need to be on blood thinners for life. This video really helped in how to think about this ablate or not decision. The more I look into it the less I understand why i was offered the ablation procedure in the first place.
Hi I'm a 58 year old male had 2 ablations for RVOT ectopics in 2015 6 months apart. I believe this has caused my cardiomyopathy and heart failure. It has made my life a misery. Think very carefully before you sign the consent form.
My cardiac electrophysiologist recommended this surgery for me recently. I'm 33 years old now, had pacemaker surgery Dec 6th and currently in AFib 15 hours a day. However I can only feel it when going into a resting state, i.e. going to lay down at bedtime. I take low dose Aspirin daily and have little issue with that, I however don't want to be on medication for AFib the rest of my life nor am I looking forward to a surgery every 1-3 years for the rest of my life. I slept 15 hours yesterday, Saturday and had no issues going to bed at my normal bedtime. I'm a machinist by trade, and have not seen any issues with working 9-10 hours a day five days a week. I have heard it could be an issue but I've not experienced any. Also not noticed much of a difference in day to day activity since surgery in Dec. I live in Indiana, USA, and plan to seek a second opinion on my AFib otherwise I'm ready to schedule surgery.
@@dylandefronzo916 I had a heart catheter ablation done on Feb 19, 2018. This was done with a Cryoballoon for most of the work, a laser was used to burn around a smaller artery. I was informed it may need done once a year, worst case. So far I've had little issues Afib related, the pacemaker does monitor this and the doctors inform me of little to no issues. I can feel when I have issues more now than before. I did file chapter 13 bankruptcy and now in my last year. My out of pocket after insurance, $327,000, was roughly $60,000. I filed bankruptcy after the hospital refused to accept any payment under $150 a month. $150 a month for 33.6666667 years. To say this has to be done to combat Afib isn't 100% true, medication is up to 50% effective but this operation is over 80% effective at lower the Afib. Although it will never completely fix it.
Thank you very much for the in-depth explanation! I am considering the procedure but after listening to your explanation, I've decided to put it off. My quality of life is not, so far, that affected by my AFIB and I am on medication. I have mild sleep apnia and some stress but will try to work on both of those conditons before considering the procedure. Again, thank you very much for that information!
In regards to being on an anti-coagulant ( blood thinner) after having an ablation, generally patient's are still on these meds for 2-3 months. After that, the decision on whether or not it is still necessary to continue a blood thinner is determined by the patient's overall stroke risk. This is calculated by a patient's CHADS2VASC score. Dr. Gupta is correct in saying that getting an ablation does not mean you can be guaranteed to stop your blood thinner. That decision still depends on your stroke risk
I would have been dead without my Pacemaker.....Once I had my pacemaker my snoring disappeared. 3 years after my Pacemaker my AF clicked in... now permanent!......I feel as though you are one of those doctors who wants to treat everything by giving up Coffee, Tea, Alcohol, ........You are a dreamer! A Puritan!
Thankyou Doctor I have had ablation done i go more information from you than i got from my doctor thankyou very much. You are truly a Doctor that want to help even if like me not your patient. Thankyou again
thank you for posting this video. i showed it to my father who was considering one given a recent doctor's visit. the doctor wasnt as forthright and thorough as you though.
My husband would have been dead years ago had he not decided to have an ablation. Unfortunately, here in New Zealand, the state/public hospitals do not place hygiene high on their list of priorities so he got a Staph Aureus infection and this put his life at risk. He recovered however and lives a very active life now. Highly recommend this treatment.
I knew it! and good thing Dr. Gupta has confirmed my decision of not having this so-called ablation. After half a year, I'm still enjoying my activities without any irritation. I will just continue to improve my lifestyle, diet, and quality of life - if these won't help me, then it's time for me to say adieu :)
@@cheriechavez3513 It's not a guarantee, but they have pretty good success rate. Your heart is being overworked in afib, Eliquis just lowers your stroke %. They shocked me 2 different times, but I went right back in. I know people that stay on blood thinners for years and do ok.
I had paroxysmal AFib and at age 76 had an ablation which was problem-free. The AFib is gone and good riddance to it. I take Eliquis daily, am on the thin side because I purposely lost 25 pounds, and feel good. Thank you Dr. Gallinghouse of Austin Cardiac Arhythmia Center for giving me my life back.
I have had Cryo-ablation which is done by freezing the area instead of burning it. Its been over 5 years that I've had it done and I have been much better. Right now I do get the occasional skipped beats which are bothersome but so much less so than the arrhythmia I had before.
Dr Gupta, thank you for this video and all the videos you share. My husband had a telephone consultation with you a few months ago regarding his paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and is currently undergoing a pulmonary ablation as we speak. Thank you for the information and reassurance you gave him during your consultation - you provided important information he had never previously been told and helped him make his decision to go for the ablation. Many Thanks and good health to you and your family.
@@blakemoore666 he’s doing good and recovered quickly from the procedure. It’s too early to tell if it has worked as we won’t know until he has another episode of AF - which will hopefully be never! The cardiologist said in his case the success rate is around 85% so fingers crossed
@@jiylees Thanks for your reply. Tough decision for me to make. My journey started December 2019 after a bad bout with a respiratory virus, heart went into afib, went to er, cardio version the day after, been dealing with pac and pvc ever since, albeit they are not that bad, only a few per day, some days 10-20, Flecainide didn’t help, cardiologist sent me to EP, he’s suggesting ablation, he says the pac and pvc will only get more frequent as I get older, will be 59 next month. Just trying to get as informed as possible!
@@blakemoore666 I can understand how tricky your decision is. My husband and had his first episode of AF out of the blue aged 28 - otherwise completely fit and healthy and never ill a day in his life until then. Wasn’t told much at the time other than he may or may not have another episode. He had nothing until a 2nd episode last October aged 40. He then had a telephone consultation with Dr Gupta who said he would be a good candidate for the ablation so we got an appointment with an electrophysiologist cardiologist who talked it over with him. He said that within the next 10 years he would likely progress to persistent AF and end up having to take take drugs for the rest of his life which really didn’t appeal to him so opted for the ablation as a chance of a cure. Now it’s just a waiting game to see if he has another episode or not. It could be likely in the first 3 months following the ablation while his heart heals but so far he’s only had a very short episode lasting a few seconds. Fingers crossed he has no more. You could arrange a telephone consultation with Dr Gupta. He is brilliant at explaining things and takes the time to listen to you and answers all your questions. He really put our minds at ease particularly when he told us the AF would not shorten his life. We spent 12 years in tenterhooks thinking that another episode could prove fatal. Why he wasn’t told that aged 28 I will never know.
@@jiylees praying your husband continues to heal & do well ! Yes, my EP told me it only progresses no matter your situation, so that’s reason enough to address it ! Just so scary anyone tinkering with your heart, lol 😂. My EP makes it sound so routine and really I guess it is nowadays !
I was diagnosed with WPW syndrome at Emory University Hospital in 2008 . I had an ablation there and it did not completely stop the SVT episodes I was having ( up to 260 bpm ) for hours at a time . My heart would go into this rhythm after the ablation which they term electrophysiology but was only short lived for a few seconds at a time instead of hours long . It was more frequent after the ablation than before but much shorter in duration. I was prescribed beta blockers and that helped even more . Cutting out processed foods , sugar and simple carbs has helped even more . Still have short episodes and they happen mainly after too much caffeine. I had them from 11 years old and lived with it . I chose to not go back for more treatment . I will try the magnesium supplement that you recommend and see if that helps . Keep up the great informative videos !
Same here.... I still had episodes after ablation for WPW 2.5 years ago but I have beta-blockers now to use as needed if I have an episode... I have been offered another ablation but I think I am going to pass.
Dr. Gupta, would you mind addressing the patient’s exposure to fluoroscopy during the ablation? This is an area of which few patients are aware. Generally speaking, the amount of time to which the patient is exposed to this strong radiation depends on the body habitus (i.e., the larger the patient the longer the fluoroscopic exposure). Typically, the average patient during a catheter ablation is exposed to the equivalent of 830 x-rays using fluoroscopy.
Thankyou for this very useful consultation. It has been both helpful and reassuring in some ways, valuable as having this kind of in depth discussion is hard to come by what with waiting lists and cancellations. Thankyou kindly.😊
The Heart Institute in Montreal has a success rate up to 95%. So this video is 4 years old and the technology has evolved since then. The procedure is necessary for AFib patients.
@@sunshinelovenv go believe someone you never met. I lived through it twice. Again, I believe real life facts not internet videos. He looks like a 30 years and saying he has 28 years of experience. Sounds fishy to me.
My comments are that I was scheduled for an ablation upcoming nov 13 2019. I have not had any symptoms of AFIb for about 1.5 months. I am going to decide in the next 24 hours if I want the procedure or not. I am leaning towards not getting it done b/c I have no symptoms for such a long time. I will up date to help anybody make their decision about this procedure. The Dr makes it clear that it is not normal to have surgeries in your heart if you do not have symptoms or have small symptoms. The video was helpful to me in making my decision about the ablation.
Bill Julian plse get it done. I have gone as much as 6 months w/o Afib yet .....one night I went up to 130 then 2 hrs later I was at 37.... never been there before. I had a pacemaker implanted on Oct 24. After 2 days In Hospital, had to change meds, stayed 2 more days heart could not go back in sinus rhythm. So I go back in on Nov 11 for ablation.
Absolutely put it off as long as possible I wished I never had my first one done. But I did it was about 12 years ago when ablations we're not really that successful. I'm thinking about having another one done 12 years later now please let me know how yours goes.
Reggie Palmer I just had my one month check yup and I have not experienced 1 Afib.... Its like I was given a new life, without Afib. My heart had been in sinus rhythm for the first time since 2005. Best of luck to you.
@@reggiepalmer6157 No I already canceled surgery that was schedule din early November. No symptoms since September I will continue to monitor it. Invasive surgery should be avoided if possible depending on the situation. Each case is different so to say "get it done" is saying so without all the information on that person.
I think it’s highly likely that for many, ablation that removes a-fib can absolutely extend lifespan. Doctors cannot make the claim due to lack of studies as of yet, but it’s common sense that if a-fib increases stroke risk, then not having it decreases stroke risk and thus life can be extended.
Treating AFib should decrease stroke risk, overall health of your heart (AFib can weaken your heart Ejection Fraction %), improved symptoms, life style and longevity..
I had an ablation 9 days ago for my paroxysmal afib. Worst part about the procedure was the stress and anxiety surrounding it. The actual procedure was uncomfortable, but overall fine. I was awake during it. Before the ablation I had afib every 2-3 days. Haven't had any issues since. It'll likely return eventually and I'll have to do another one, but I'm not particularly concerned about that anymore.
@@InternetDude based on my own experience, if you are having more than a couple of episodes a year, or the episodes are lasting more than an hour, you might be wise to consider treating it either with drugs or an ablation. The more you’re in a fib, the more the left ventricle is modified both structurally in that it gets larger, and also electrically. afib leads to more afib. There are some non-electrophysiologist cardiologists out there who are fairly negative about the electrophysiologist discipline. If you’ve got one of those, I suggest you find an electrophysiologist.
I wish my current cardiologist explained things the way you do. You are so thorough.I asked him if I should lose weight and he just pooh pooled the idea. I definitely need to lose weight.
It really bothers me that surgeons just want to do surgery,,I have seen my cardiologist 3 minutes out of all of 10 months I've been dealing w this..I have no answers
Great video! Too many videos on UA-cam by people (actual patients) advocating getting ablation done. I relived 80-90% of my symptoms just by improving my diet and taking supplements. Ablation sounds pretty extreme.
My 80 yrs old aunt suffers A. Fib and cardiologist referred her to get an ablation. Would you mind to share your experience on diet and supplements so that she can avoid getting the ablation? My email is maaamaaa1@gmail.com
Ablation has been performed for nearly 20 years now, and the procedure has been refined over these years...I had an ablation last week, and am now AFIB free!...the procedure is not stressful, does not hurt, and I entered the Hospital at 5AM,, and left at 3pm same day. Do not fear this procedure, the complication rate is very low, and the results are usually very good.
Thanks so much , I am 78 years old , "they " discovered that my heart beats are too slow and irregular but I don't have any symptoms I m never been breathless or over tired , I walked a lot and dont feel tired after , I am a jazz musician paying saxophone blowing everyday hours .. But my doctor recommended me electochocks , blood thinners and after this probably an ablation ..I took blood thinner( eliquis 5ml but ihave decided to stop immediately... THE HEART NEVER BELIEVES IN LIMITATIONS ❤ thanks for your information and honesty .
Dr Gupta, thank you so much for this clear and informative video. I note it was made about 6 years ago. Has anything changed in terms of ablation technology and reliability?
Husband here. I have had several cardioversions and one ablation(2013) over the last 16 years (now 71 years old). I have kept a-fib at bay, but still take anticoagulants and an anti-arrhythmic drug (sotalol). If a-fib comes back permanently, I do not think I will go through another ablation. It was definitely scary, and I had a rough time. This doctor is presenting a very thorough and balanced view of the risks of this operation.
Dr. Gupta, all these electrophysiologists usually push ablations and pacemakers no matter the conditions, it seems. I've gone 5 years, 1 year, and 3 months between episodes - more recently under tremendous stress and mineral loss, but still they're pushing procedures instead of correcting any underlying imbalances. Thank you for your very clear explanations.
I personally had an ablation.... not an academic who is Pleasantly Arrogant and talks in circles. Please have the procedure done it changed my quality of life!
This video is over 7 years old, which is a lifetime in terms of medical procedures and updates. As informative and affirming as this may be for some folks, it's irresponsible for it to continue to be up here without some disclaimer as to its age. This needs to be updated or taken down. Oh, and I had my SVT ablation yesterday. Every doctor I spoke to warned of the danger of relying on medical advice of UA-cam videos.
This video is from 2016. In terms of ablation, this is fairly old stuff. This type of ablation has only been performed since the late 1990:s and in larger numbers probably only since the early 2000:s. The procedure and the medical equipment used is constantly being innovated and improved upon. A recent study from 2018 has shown that ablation does significantly improve survival rates for patients with heart failure who subsequently received ablation (though it should be noted that the procedure also carries more risks for them). It would therefore make sense that some of this health benefit would extend to healthier patients as well. The question a patient should consider is what his health prospects are in 5, 10, 20, etc, years. If medications are simply prolonging the period toward which you would need some type of surgery or ablation, then it's much better to do it while you're younger and your heart is healthier. Especially if you're an older patient who may not be as healthy in 5 or 10 years as today.
Wish I had heard your presentation three years ago! Had three cardio versions for a fun and non held. Then developed v tach where my heart was beating at 212 and it was expected I would go into cardiac arrest but held on. Had the toxic medicine you spoke of before trying an ablation. Went into cardiac arrest immediately. At this point, I feel good, exercise at cardiac rehab, and am grateful to be here!
Thank you very much. This answered several of my concerns. One question: could you expand on how "inflammation" is a root cause of A-Fib and list some of the causes of inflammation other than being overweight and sleep apnea?
I didn't find that inflammation had much to do with my afib - I have had it tested, and my numbers are super low. I eat a good diet, and take minerals and other supplements. It's still a mystery to me why I have an excess of electrical signals in the pulmonary veins! I have just taken the plunge and agreed to have an ablation. I am really hoping it will help me!
@@Savannah-ed4rv Hi, I had it about a year ago and it has been AWESOME! I had only one episode over the entire year, which lasted about 10 seconds! It feels wonderful to have my life back. Recovery was easy, only a little rough that first night, when you had to lie still for 6 hours (to close up the artery they used). I am SO glad I did it!
@@barbaramah4422 That's wonderful! Thanks for your message and it is encouraging to hear your experience. The worst part would by lying for 6 hours. I don't think I could do that with my back and leg problems. One reason I've hesitated, but I may have to bite the bullet. lol. I'm very happy for you!
Dr. Gupta, thanks for the simple way of explaining how these tech" in medical terms to understand them. I'm almost 47 and I take a lot of pills to control my heart rate. I still get afib events. recently my meds have increased my dose. the doctor wants me to do the TEE procedure and then cardioversion. If their is nothing wrong with my heart structure then another Ablation. First one was in 2015. Second one might work. it fractioning in what to do. when to go to ER, and not too. no information is given when asked. I'm afraid that the second ablation won't work. If it doesn't, then what should be done? and When? I don't drink or smoke. normally very healthy, except type one diabetes.
Are you still prescribed a blood thinner? I love this doctor and his awesome informative videos. But I am a bit confused by his saying that with an ablation, although you don't experience AFib any longer, your risk of stroke does NOT drop. Hmmm? From what I've read in several articles it seems like the high risk of stroke is eliminated along with the AFib? Of course this video is 5 years old so maybe it's new information that's been learnt?
"How many electrocardiologists would have this procedure done to themselves ? " That's the question my cardiologist put to me. He reckoned, not many. He was senior lecturer in heart rhythms at a medical school. He took me through other reasons why he thought it was inappropriate for me, and I think he did me a favour. Imperfect as it is I stick with beta blocker for my fibrillation, and the pacemaker for my ventricular bradycardia.
Hmm, to put the question another way tho, how many electocardiologists have PVC's, SVT's, AFib attacks? And how many would be desperate for a cure, or even relief from the awful symptoms these conditions give the sufferer? I'd bet quite a few would would take the option of an ablation if offered and in the same situation.
I had an ablation in 1996 for SVT. I was euphoric. Changed my life forever. Thank you, Dr. Melvin Scheinman, UCSF
Amen. Same with me.
That's not afib!!!!!!!!! Totally different arrhythmia that can be ablated without needing a pacemaker.... Pay attention lady!!!
I had a Maze procedure. Is that safer than ablation?
@@DeweyDEWMANBrown875😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊q😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊🎉😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😮😊😊😊😊😊😂😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊🎉😊😊😊😊😂😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊q😊😊q😊😊😊😊🎉😊😊😂😊😊😊😮🎉🎉😊😊🎉😊🎉🎉😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊🎉🎉😊😊😊😂qq😊😊😊😊 we😊😊😊😊😊😊😊🎉😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊q😊😊😊qq😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊🎉😊😊🎉😊🎉🎉🎉😊🎉🎉🎉😊🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊q🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊
I'm considering having one and hope I have great results because this is making me leave work every time this happens.... every week. I got a monitor on right now for 2 weeks, but next appt will be 3 month follow up.
Thank you for discussing alternatives in detail and what an ablation does and doesn't provide. This video allows me to make a better, more informed decision.
Important words: "AFib is a byproduct of inflammation." Thank you for this, Sir.
I have a inflammation caused by an mislucky implant , after this, I started a AF.
Aha. Tooth pain
Also important words: A-fib is a progressive disease.
Please can anyone tell me if Roemheld syndrome/gastrocardiac syndrome is the same as Afib. I have Afib and the symptoms seem similar. One of them is freezing cold shin bones. Why would that be.
@@pamelamarabini8014 I have a fib going in for my second ablation procedure next week, and know nothing of the freezing shin bones. I don’t know about the other syndrome you refer to however. But still I’m pretty sure they’re not the same thing. I am not a doctor.
As an ex York University alumni I'm so glad you run this channel. When I was at the University and worked at York District Hospital I was crying out for the University to set up a medical school ( and law school). You're doing a great job.
I enjoy hearing Dr. Gupta's perspective on afib.He's a smart man and seems like a nice human too.
Had a catheter ablation about 5 years ago for afib. I was only 39 with small kids. Totally changed my quality of life. Highly recommend it.
Are you still on blood thinners?
@@dougcoleburn1579 oh no I was only on blood thinners for maybe 5 weeks or so. That's just a precautionary after the procedure. I'm doing great buddy! Living life like before I had afib.
I'm so scared to do that , but your words really helped me to relax
Thanks a lot
How was your recovery after the procedure for the first 5 days?
@@CountryBoyTnn I had a sore esophagus only when I swallowed solid food for about a week and a half. Other than that I was perfectly fine. I thought my symptoms would be worse but I felt good
I realize this video is about ablation for atrial fibrillation but I had an ablation for SVT..supra ventricular tachycardia... about 20 years ago. A few times my heart rate reached almost 300 bpm. The Cardiologist told me that I would never have the SVT again and so far I haven't ever had another episode. It totally changed my life for the better!!!
Happy to hear that so ur ablation is success and you said 20yrs ago..how u feeling now?my hear rate up to 300 doc want me to do ablation but im so worried if there is any side effect😢
@@EMMA-Anegl I have afib and thinking about ablation. I'm wearing the 2 week monitor right now.
@@muffin2u63 hey better go for it ..i feel much more better now after ablation
are you still SVT free?
@ Absolutely!!😊
Thanks for the info I have had two ablations for Afib. My heart beat hit 220 I was so tired I could barely walk. During the second ablation they found I had left ventricle dysfunction. Ablation improved my life immensely. It’s wonderful to access info like this. Well done and thanks. Keep up the good work.
How bad was the out of pocket $ expense with insurance?
Thanks so much for this info, doc. My own cardiologist is so busy he would never have time to go into this info. I saw him recently... 10 minutes max then whoosh... out the door and on to the next patient. So your YT info is a great supplement. Thank you!
Change the Dr
MY cardiologist is SO busy with tooooo many overloaded with patients 👈🏻 I ONLY see him in the hospital 🏥 when I end up in afib 😱 it SERIOUSLY should be a law that a doctor especially cardiologist can ONLY have SO many patients at a time 👈🏻
I’ve had two ablation procedures. I’m feeling great. Quality of life dramatically improved. Back to teaching my fitness classes. And will continue to take blood thinning medicine to prevent stroke.
That’s awesome I will have my second ablation next week we’re you nervous going into it?
@@Willynilly_69 focus on a great outcome. I prepared for that and so that’s what happened.
Success rates for 1st and 2nd ablation procedures has improved a lot in the past 5 years since Dr. Gupta recorded this. My EP stated 80% success rate (for his patients) for 1st procedure; 95% for a 2nd procedure. Dr. Gupta is correct in his assertion that post procedure some patients complain of ectopics. I'm one such person. Although my EP told me it could take up to 6 months for everything to "settle down" in the heart and pulmonary veins after the procedure. Thank you, Dr. Gupta.
How r u now
I had a successful ablation in 2010 for SVT which was a game changer for my running and exercise.
are you still SVT free?
@1alopezg yes... age 58 and currently running 5K in under 21 min 👊
@@drdanthelizzyman that's encouraging
For approx 8 years . I had 3 cardioversion s but kept coming back . I am a very athletic type so it really messed up any exercise programme with some days of shutdown fatigue . I then decided to have an ablation in CTown. A few weeks back . I am really elated with the positive effects both psychologically and physically . No more breathlessness with exercise and no more blood thinners. Even at my age a well worth it procedure done with no after op problems . Thank u again
Can I ask if you experienced afib episodes again since your ablation? Was one ablation enough to cure it? And what is your age?
THis post was 3 years ago - are you still Afib free?
I had ablation 20 years ago, it worked brilliantly frying 9 electrical pathways that were causing increasingly frequent episodes of rapid heartbeat. Never a problem since. I chose to do it because the next step was more medication and it interfered with my job teaching, meds free ever since. I was very interesting being able to watch the procedure on a screen. Great info in your videos!
Same here with me. I had episodes of paroxysmal tachycardia since 1975 (I was 18 at the time of my first episode). Those attacks were happening 2-5 times a year and my heart rate during episodes was 200-220 bpm. Otherwise, I was healthy young man. I learned to abrupt episodes very easy with modified Valsalva maneuver (getting in supine position as soon as possible after episode started, taking very deep breath-in and holding air in my lungs for 5-7 seconds). Usually that was it. Heart was returning back to normal heart rate (60 bpm) after first attempt. In 1992 I immigrated from USSR to USA, and in 1997 first time in my life I was not able to stop episode by doing that trick. I had to go to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston Mass and Dr. Mark Josephson did ablation. Procedure lasted for 45 minutes. I was fully awake during entire procedure.
Now I am 65 (Thanks God). Since 1997 I am totally fine. No A-fib, no heart medications.
God Bless USA and memory of wonderful cardiologist Dr. Josephson (unfortunately, he has passed away in 2017).
@@borismercalov6157 are you still symptom free?
are you still symptom free?
Thank you. This talks directly to me. I was to my nice cardiolog today. She told me that my irregularity has disappeared. I have been losing weight and eat very carefully but is very easy tired when I walk upstairs. She also said that my pulse is better but still too high. But I can´t stop taken the betablockers och dioxion she said and looked me seriosly in my eyes. She offered me to have a pacemaker and then an ablation. I said that I am almost 80 years old but even my pulse is a little high and easy got tired upstairs I feel okey. She earlier said that an ablation is a serios thing to do and I understand why. So I said no. It is always a little scary to do that so when I listen to your video I feel I did the right thing. It is not easy to decide in a short doctors meeting so I have thought a lot about it during the day. Now I go on with losing weight, meditate and accept that my life is a little reduced but still it is okey in many ways. Tnanks again for your important videos.
How old are you?
Increase magnesium
@@davidconstant4716 She says, "... I am almost 80 years old".
Thanks to Mother India for providing us with some Excellent Cardiologists, I have one here in Florida too (my age) ! He checks my heart, but I do my share: regular Excerzize, Meditation, Weight etc. In 21 I took 4 Metoprolol for irregularities- kicked my heart right back into sinus. All good - 75 in a couple of months - and now enjoying ONE glass of wine after 30 mins on my bike. I have been troubled by irregularities since i was 18 years old. Now I have less than I ever had ! Have a great weekend.
Have you had an ablation?
I had it done and it's worth it. No more arrhythmia or breath shortness of breath....
Bill Marden did u feel like you needed to take a deep breath every little while?
Did it hurt?
I am scheduled for this procedure in March. However, my brother-in-law underwent an emergency one February 4th. It was UNSUCCESSFUL❗❗ Once they were in the heart, they could not determine or locate the AFIB. He had to stay in hospital 6 days to establish medications, lifestyles and etc. He was an active 66 year old and now is sedentary, I'll and frustrated. Needless to say, he is worse off now than before. The doctors have been treating me with meds for 5 years now and my condition has steadily gotten worse. My mobility is now in jeopardy. I am afraid, confused and undecided. My family are in favour of the procedure more for their benefit than mine. All comments welcome !!!!🤔
Until March I think you should often tell yourself that the procedure is going to be SUCCESSFUL. Your brother-in-law was unlucky and I am sorry, but it doesn't mean you will be too. I understand fear is overcoming you. In my case, the a-fib is getting worse, medication doesn't work and I also have to decide what step to take. I am also scared but I have to take a decision. Good luck to you, Mary!
Mary Phillips I know this post old but I hope things went well for you and yo bro.
I'm having a 3rd ablation for SVT soon and this video is much more explanatory, concise, and clear than other ones I've found on UA-cam. Thank you!
3rd time?
@@callmesenpai6928 Yes, it's not uncommon for people to need more than one procedure to eliminate all of the faulty electrical connections causing their hearts to misbehave.
how are YOU doing/feeling after getting your 3rd ablation
@CYndibabI I'm essentially cured. I have no more symptoms and I feel great.
I have been diagnosed with AFIB since 2007 ,I had a cardioversion which kept my heart in rhythm for 5 years when the AFIB returned I changed my diet and lifstyle 360 which has helped my lifestyle tremendously. I am active playing basketball and cycling and working out with AFIB. I will go for another cardioversion again and keep to the diet whichmakes me feel great. Good Luck everyone. Good Health.
DR SANJAY GUPTA IS THE GOD OF CARDIOLOGY PATIENTS.
I had the procedure done two weeks ago and right now after 2 1/2 weeks I have not had any atrial fibrillation I am in recovery mode right now so far so good
The "blanking period" lasts up to three months...be patient, as I am being right now...just 10 weeks to go, before the all-clear!
Thank you. You made it very clear that lifestyle changes - weight and sleep apnea- are very important. Our local cardiologists haven't emphasized that.
Thank you for this very helpful video. After many years of episodes of uncomfortable palpitations and tests and investigations l had Afib diagnosed on ECG. Nothing was helping so ablation was proposed. However on your recommendation I started taking magnesium taurate 200 mg daily and the relief of symptoms has been amazing. My electrophysiologist has discharged me. Quality of life has improved 100%. I do take a small dose of oral anticoagulant and blood pressure medication but at 81 years I’m relieved to be rid of the debilitating symptoms. Thank you again for taking time to make your videos.
Magnesium works for some. For some, it doesn’t. I had PVCs and PACs for 8 months straight. I got checked by the cardiologist , took all tests including ALL possibilities of what I could be deficient in. My magnesium was normal. The PVCs and PACs was speculated to induce my afib but I get this once every 4 years. But my echo shows I’m not at risk of anything. I didn’t take any meds. My PVCs and PACs went away and all I did was lose weight and drink more water. I’ve been 40 days arrhythmia free, but, not afib free.
@@billn.1318 you cant really test for magnesium stores, only serum magnesium
This is the third time I have watched this video. I have lost 8 lbs so far. 60 lbs more will get me to a normal weight (180lbs 6' 0". Which will still be 20 lbs more than when I married my wife over 40 years ago. She just got a pacemaker. I am trying to avoid that. Dr. Gupta - You are a TREASURE. THANKYOU !!! - for the lowdown straight talk on risks benefits and weighing them against each other.
Doctor there aren't enough words to explain my gratitude for your videos. Like many comments below, one of my cardiologist didn't seam to care so I got a second opinion , and have found someone who is better. Ofcourse your videos explain everything in much more better detail. God Bless you !
Thank you so very, very much. I am in this heart situation now. Theses videos help me prepare for my upcoming appointments. Now I am not so afraid…..thank you ever so much. You are such a huge Blessing to me!
Dear Dr. Gupta: I want to whole-heartily thank you for taking the time to make these videos. You have a simplistic way of communicating, and it is refreshing. I find that most cardiologists I have met with have little time to spend with each patient. Hence, efficient explanations of conditions and treatments are lacking. This is frustrating and scary. I am a 44 year old female with two Masters' Degrees, yet sometimes I feel as if my cardiologists are talking down to me. Your videos make the academics of the heart easy to understand, and I thank you for taking the time to explain. You definitely have some controversial positions (AFIB/STROKE), but you present your ideas logically, which makes it worth consideration. I'm really enjoying your videos. Many many thanks. Jennifer
P/S I wish you were in the States!!!
Jay Dee Simplistic is not what you mean. Look it up.
Good morning... I must say I have feel a lot better since I have been taking magnesium. Now working on lifestyle changes to improve further. Thank you for sharing.
I wish he was in western Australia ♥️
@@eugenesedita shut the fuck up eugene
Dr Gupta, I discovered you ...by chance...two weeks ago and I'm addicted to your videos. I had valvular surgery last October and have two biological heart valves. My heart went into Afib after the surgery. I had a cardioversion but my heart soon returned to Afib. I haven't any symptoms. I am grateful I saw this video because I am due to see my cardiologist in a few weeks' time and now I'll be armed with the right information regarding an ablation should it be offered to me. Meant to be!! Thank you. I did share the video on FB by the way!!
Thank you, doctor. You have a wholistic approach to diagnostic explanations and that is wonderful for us patients. I wish I had come across your videos before my ablation procedure for excessive pvc's. I was desperate to return to my work which requires yearly EKG's and was willing to do anything to rectify my situation. In hindsight, I believe that if I had cleaned up my lifestyle some, i.e. lost 20-30 lbs, reduced caffeine intake, cleaned up my diet and exercised more, I may have been successful in treating my own problem.
Tell us more...
Hello my friend so how was ablation for you? Mines due on October for ectopics like yours I get about 7000 a day. Did it work?
@@davidconstant4716 Hi David, My procedure was very effective initially, but there is a caveat when considering ablation. You are basically burning a small area of the heart to create scar tissue which blocks the area where the electrical impulses are emanating from. Burn too much, you could have serious permanent damage to the muscle tissue. Burn too little, and the arrhythmia's will return, eventually. That is what happened to me. But because my condition corrected itself by about 90%, we chose to supplement drugs to treat any ongoing issues. The drugs I take are basically blood pressure meds that help regulate your heartbeat. Four years later and everything is going as well as could be expected. I do have to submit a battery of cardiac tests every summer to maintain my license. Cheers and good luck with your procedure!
@@davidconstant4716 How are you doing now? Did everything go well?
I was having 2-4 episodes of SVT per week, brought on during martial arts training or any other intense exercise. I am now 6 weeks out and it was the best thing I have ever done. After 20 years of SVT following exercise, and skipping beats throughout the day, I feel like a new person. I was extremely apprehensive going into this. I wont even take a Tylenol unless I am in real pain. I even recovered from a ruptured Achilles using non-surgical methods I was so worried about being put under. But, I faced all my fears and apprehensions and just did it, and am so glad that I did.
I highly recommend this procedure if A-fib or SVT is effecting your life. Do your research. Find the best facility and doctor you can find, and do it.
i agree... ablation is fantastic for SVT. For Afib, worth considering if quality of life is significantly impaired but not as successful as for SVTs
Me too! Glad you’re feeling well!
You are very lucky.Avnrt ablation brought many new arrhythmias for me.It has completely ruined my life.I am 27 and i cant live my life.
@@johnnycampell8519 wow so ablation made it worse? Hope your ok now my friend?
@@johnnycampell8519 how often you have fibrilation?
This guy speaks to me more than my doc! Thanks you have on several occasions gave me the answers I need! 5 years into paroxysmal afib an I do want a better quality of life, having this sux!
Because he’s a younger doctor. Most doctors over 50 are tired and used to routine by routine treatments and they know what works and what’s not. Most doctors you see are schedule driven so if you’re seeing a doctor for 20-30 minutes, you’ll see if him or her for that time and they are out and you see the nurse or nurse practitioner afterwards. I’ve had a chance to talk to my cardiologist about my persistent pvcs. After 3 years of suffering from it without explanation of treatment, I finally expressed my thoughts with the doctor that I need more answers. He sat with me for 30 minutes and talked. Best conversation I had. Comforted but still no answers on why my heart have PVCs and PACs. I say it may get worse as I age. I’m a former boxer. Must’ve been from days of training and it changed my heart.
Thank you so much for addressing this topic! I thought it was just something that was easily done and didn't know about the risks at all. I greatly appreciate this
I will see an electrophysiologist today an I have read so much in the last months that I am now scared an all mixed up as to what choices to make. As as a retired Respiratory Therapist I have enough knowledge to be dangerous to myself. Thank you for your calm approaches to afib and I hope I will make the right choice. I don't want to take anti rhythmic drugs.
best wishes Jan
Iv had 3 pvi ablations for lone AFib. I’m 52 years old, male, normal structural heart, had palpatations since my early twenties. I still get breakthrough episodes of AFib 4 to 5 hours duration every 2 months nearly always in the early hours.! I would say I am in a lot better place than I was a few years ago👍 I still get ectopic beats for days sometimes too.😡 my cardiologist has told me that it is not unreasonable for him to ablate me a fourth time so I’m hoping to be in again at the end of this year. When I was first diagnosed 5 years ago I was told to learn as much about AFib as I can. I have learnt so much from watching dr Gupta. He explains things in a really understandable way. We are so lucky to have this gentleman giving us knowledge. Thankyou very much sir.
I had one ablation 11 years ago... ( under local anesthetics) . Procedure was horrible but the results are great. Had some irregularities for more then a year but never had atrium fibrillation anymore. Even that went away. So my results in the long terms were also good. It all started after i had a flew.
They should have put you out....that was cruel....
@@charlesschauer8927 They give you something to replicate the symptoms so your heart is racing and you cannot be simultaneously knocked out. It was the worst experience of my life (the ablation procedure)... you are strapped down, hot, scared, feel like you’re having a heart attack... and in my case I was nauseous too, lying on my back dry-heaving. Meanwhile you can hear all conversation and are aware of everything around you, also visual hallucinations when the eyes are closed! Just the worst...
@@MissWeezeyUSA That is very odd. I live in the US and had an ablation 4 months ago. It was done under General Anaesthesia. I know others who have had it done and also had General Anaesthesia. I have never heard of an ablation being done under local anaesthsia, or even conscious sedation.
@@kathrynmat6857 I wish I would have had that option, that’s what rules out a revision for me, out of the question. By the way... my procedure was at Loma Linda International Heart Institute... supposed to be world class.
@@MissWeezeyUSA Mine was done in Miami at South Miami Hospital.
Stroke scares me more than anything...too many risks...I've researched this for a while. Thank you for your video..I wish doctors could explain these things to us like you do.
Carol Benson my surgeon in Columbus Ohio did a great job or explaining the pros n cons.
I'm with you! Strokes are very scary, especially when they run in the family. That alone helps keep me straight.
I was under the wrong impression that because I had no symptoms of AFIB, it was no big deal. Thanks to Sanjay (I think!) I've learned there are many issues and problems that are happening within your body because of AFIB. Blood thinning medication is a necessity to avoid the risk of blood clots and strokes, as is life style changes, diet, exercise, good sleep and pacemakers. Ablation is a last resort for me!
Same me too
Thank you for a really interesting video. I have been on the atrial fibulation support forum and there are a lot of Americans on there. They all seem to be desperately wanting an ablation, they think they are going to be cured. After watching your video I am even more determined not to have my lovely heart burned even if it misbehaves every couple of weeks. The annoying thing is that I do have a very good diet, lots of exercise and I am not over weight and still have it, but with all the information on your videos I have become much calmer about it all.
+springtime445
I am probably in the same boat as you are. I watch my diet, treating for sleep apnea, exercising regularly. I get an episode about twice a month. I am not looking forward to any invasive procedures. However, I am told the episodes tend to progressively get worse as time passes by. At that point it may be difficult to get a procedure done and expect good results. I am having AFIB for just over an year and will watch it for the next year or so. Good luck to you.
Viraj Wikramanayake that's exactly what they told me . They like to get it before it makes new pathways and once your in it for good the out come from an ablation is reduced for it to be cured 🙁💔 it's so hard to decide . But I have had one 7 hour run of it and that was enough for me 😢😰it apserlutely terrified me .
You should look into magnesium
I have had an ablation, now two years ago. I really had no choice as my heart would go into AF without warning, very scary my back seemed to even shake with the episode. I was 64 with type 1 Diabetes. Not over weight, didn't drink or smoke.
They tries me on a beta blocker , disaster, nearly stopped my heart it beat so slow and irregular.
So electrical cardiologist said no choice I must have an ablation.
It took about 7 months before I felt any good, but still much better for having the ablation, even though not as good as before af came along .the cardiologist told me I probably had it in more mild form for 10 years before it got bad, and I didn't know, thought when my heart use to race after climbing the bank after scuba diving that was normal.
Must get a good electrical cardiologist who does ablation,'s often, and so knows his stuff.
ua-cam.com/video/yjRqpwmRuts/v-deo.html
Northwestern's top electrocardiologist wanted to perform RF Catheter Ablation for my PVCs 23 years ago. I was training for a Marathon at the time. I said Nay Nay. Glad I did. Then he wanted to put me on Beta Blockers, which I again declined. So far, so good. It was the right decision both times. PVCs hardly happen now.
How'd you get them to slow down? Mine are getting much worse...
@@timjenkins7019 high quality liquid mineral supplements worked for me.
@@Bhatmann What brand do you use?
This was so informative to me and it actually stopped me in my tracks when you said if you continue to have AF the more likely you will have more AF and it would be better to be treated NOW because more likely it would work on top of the diet the sleep apnea lifestyle changes. I am definitely working on lifestyle changes and pray that my AF will die down. Otherwise I am scared to death to have Oblation done. I am 62 years and I have been diagnosed with AF 7 years ago. Also I’ve had two heart attacks, two stents, i’m diagnosed with cardiovascular Disease in 2007.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge
I’m 64 and having a ablation done on the 23rd. My first AF episode was 12 years ago. I’m now on a 240mg dose of calcium channel blockers among other drugs. I’ve been hospitalized twice and several trips to the er because of AF. Each visit to the ER if $1200 out of pocket not to mention the hospital stays and meds.
At my heaviest I was 209 I am now 177 due to A Mediterranean diet.
My reasons for having the procedure is financial and I don’t care for being dependent on drugs to keep my heart in rhythm.
Yes I was told that too before mine - that it would progress - I saw it for myself over the 4-5 yrs since I first had symptoms.
@@LeadfootPTM Hope all went well for you.
No reason to be scared of ablation. I’ve had 2 at 59, the second was a redo. Absolutely no question, the best decision I made about fixing my afib. Yes I was told that if/when it becomes persistent it would be much harder to treat, so I went ahead with ablation. No regrets.
I’ve had some minor episodes post procedure, but generally 90% better and off all medication.
My biggest enemy is stress which as all us ‘afibbers’ know can trigger an episode (along with alcohol, coffee, bad diet, hypertension etc)
but is very difficult to limit with the demands of work etc.
@@Chipchase780 thank you so much for replying. I’m getting closer on getting it done.
Dr.G, I agree with you. Everyday people are uneducated and run for these procedure without noting that the success rate is low. Please people consider your options and maybe even go see a cardiovascular surgeon for consultation regarding other options such as a maze. Research people, educate yourselves.
In 2021 it's not low. It's high.
I love your videos you always speak the truth. I noticed the second time when I was hung over my heart with a race and sure enough they were quick to offer me this procedure when I’m sober I have no problems that always seems like the next day my heart would race, so where it boils down to is I just don’t drink anymore
Hello dear Dr. Gupta...
I am living in the Netherlands...
Thank you for this study!
I have to hear and see it again...but very interesting!
I had my ablation at St Michaels which returned me to natural rhythm . I was awake and felt pain when the burning occurred and was told not move. When I exercise aggressively, especially if under stress, I occasionally spike in terms of heart rate. It only lasts a minute but can rise to 190 . My ablation was in 2009 . I developed both Atrial Flutter and atrial fibrillation during my bypass surgery in 2007. So far so good
I had an RF ablation some ten years ago for paroxysmal afib it hurt but they soon put me out and I didn't come round for some 8 hours it was worth it as I was afib free for those 10+ years which was so worth it. I said at the time I wouldn't think twice about having it done again although my only concern was why are you awake and aware when they burn you which was very painful. Anyway recently I had a fast afib attack which needed electrical cardioversion in A and E followed by amiodarone tabs daily for six months they are nasty my hair started falling out I saw the cardiologist who said we'll book you in for a top up ablation but you will need to lose weight as well after or it will come back. This time I had a cryo ablation my god the pain in my chest shoulders and head was excruciating unbearable I begged them to stop they said not long now but didn't put me out. I could not go through that pain again it was the worst brain freeze you couldn't even imagine the shoulder s was the worst pain in angry and feel let down that they did not put me out I would not have cryo again but it gets worse for six weeks now following the procedure I am unable to walk very far or at all up any even slight incline as my frenic nerve has been damaged during the procedure and my right side of my diaphragm is paralyzed I can only sleep in one position if I want to breath sitting makes me short of breath and I am self employed but cannot work I am house bound basically and awaiting a diaphragmatic screening at the hospital's pleasure six weeks of torment trapped at home struggling to breathe and God knows what I will have to go through next to fix it if they even can I am so depressed I was a fit healthy male who is now a cripple walking around slowly gasping for air like an old man I can't believe this has happened to me or that the hospital expect me to wait 3 month's for screening to see if it gets better on it's own financially I am ruined and have lost my business a 2%chance in a thousand of this happening they said when they got me to sign the form .
@@amcc3398 so sorry to hear this, they offering me ablation what would your advice be?
@@davidconstant4716 I can't advise you as they say it's very rare it goes wrong me personally i would do it again but maybe go for RF ablation as in my first proceedure. I am graduly getting my breathing back.
@@amcc3398 no worries man glad your on the mend
Just to ad ablation has been a godsend quality of life is everything.
I watched this video trying to make my mind up about having ablation..after talking to doctors one said I should stay on tablets other wasn’t encouraging me to have ablation …then I saw your video and that was it suffered SVT for 9 years now I’m SVT free thanks to you I’ll always be grateful I came across your video.
So did you end up getting ablasion for svt
@@heatherjames-bq2vt yes I did 7years now best thing I ever did I would encourage anyone who suffers from SVT like I did to have it done …I can enjoy life again without worrying about visits to hospital every time I had an SVT.
Afib is a mixed bag for many people who have this condition. If your heart rate is up at 200bpm, this is a big concern. Especially if it's persistent afib. Best to get the cardiologist to get you to the right path of wether ablation is the right path or not. Dr sanjay is right about the possible outcomes after ablation years later in the future. It depends on the procedure. We don't know what these ablations will do in the heart years later. But I know someone who had done the ablation in the 90s and is still going strong with zero heart issues. If you were to get these ablations now, best to see an EP with the best advanced equipment and technology so they can properly apply the right amount of ablation. All it will do is scar the heart tissue and disconnect the arrhythmia. But who knows what this scarring will do later in life.
I SERIOUSLY agree 👍🏻
I had my ablation in 1999, about to have my second
I went through 3 ablations that completely sent my afib over the edge, to a point where I could barely live any more. Those ablations did far, far more harm than good. It was so bad, I opted to have a cut-and-sew maze just to get some semblance of a life back. So while ablations might be all the rave in afib / ectopic circles, they can absolutely also have a dark side.
update?
Update?
I'm sorry you had such bad results. I had an ablation done last June after a valve repair in January, and I feel like a new person! I would have done it again if necessary. Perhaps the right doctor has something to do with it?
I’ve just had my second ablation. First one I had a bad episode of SVT a week later. I feel a lot better after the second one than I did after the first one.
No way should a competent ablation make you feel worse!...something is wrong with your situation.
I’m 38 and take the blood thinner Rx but feel so tired. I can’t wait for this procedure and hope it can bring my life back to what it was
How procedure go?
Finally, someone telling the truth about AF and how to treat the symptom of what you're body is trying to tell you.
Is a mixture of powerful and sometimes "toxic" drugs taken daily NOT an "invasive procedure"? If the side effects of the drugs are diminishing your quality of life, shouldn't that be a consideration? Thank you for this video. Perhaps it is time to do an update. This procedure has been evolving rapidly. I'd like to see the facts on what current ablation procedures consist of and what are the risks now?
I'm 66 and have AF with no symptoms. I also had complete heart block (equivalent to AV node ablation?) and had a pacemaker put in a few weeks ago.
I was offered ablation so that I wouldn't need to be on blood thinners for life. This video really helped in how to think about this ablate or not decision. The more I look into it the less I understand why i was offered the ablation procedure in the first place.
please do not hesitate. get the ablation. it is very safe. i wish i had it done years ago instead of a month ago. lifestyle change is beyond belief.
Thanku you the information. I went through ablation procedure from Max healthcare Saket in Delhi, India 10 days ago & I feel better now.
Hi I'm a 58 year old male had 2 ablations for RVOT ectopics in 2015 6 months apart. I believe this has caused my cardiomyopathy and heart failure. It has made my life a misery. Think very carefully before you sign the consent form.
steve teager
steve teager !
My cardiac electrophysiologist recommended this surgery for me recently. I'm 33 years old now, had pacemaker surgery Dec 6th and currently in AFib 15 hours a day. However I can only feel it when going into a resting state, i.e. going to lay down at bedtime. I take low dose Aspirin daily and have little issue with that, I however don't want to be on medication for AFib the rest of my life nor am I looking forward to a surgery every 1-3 years for the rest of my life. I slept 15 hours yesterday, Saturday and had no issues going to bed at my normal bedtime.
I'm a machinist by trade, and have not seen any issues with working 9-10 hours a day five days a week. I have heard it could be an issue but I've not experienced any. Also not noticed much of a difference in day to day activity since surgery in Dec. I live in Indiana, USA, and plan to seek a second opinion on my AFib otherwise I'm ready to schedule surgery.
Hey man. What did you end up doing about your AFib?
@@dylandefronzo916 I had a heart catheter ablation done on Feb 19, 2018. This was done with a Cryoballoon for most of the work, a laser was used to burn around a smaller artery.
I was informed it may need done once a year, worst case. So far I've had little issues Afib related, the pacemaker does monitor this and the doctors inform me of little to no issues. I can feel when I have issues more now than before.
I did file chapter 13 bankruptcy and now in my last year. My out of pocket after insurance, $327,000, was roughly $60,000. I filed bankruptcy after the hospital refused to accept any payment under $150 a month. $150 a month for 33.6666667 years.
To say this has to be done to combat Afib isn't 100% true, medication is up to 50% effective but this operation is over 80% effective at lower the Afib. Although it will never completely fix it.
@@Currency49495that’s a shame so much out of pocket. Hope you feel better
Thank you very much for the in-depth explanation! I am considering the procedure but after listening to your explanation, I've decided to put it off. My quality of life is not, so far, that affected by my AFIB and I am on medication. I have mild sleep apnia and some stress but will try to work on both of those conditons before considering the procedure. Again, thank you very much for that information!
In regards to being on an anti-coagulant ( blood thinner) after having an ablation, generally patient's are still on these meds for 2-3 months. After that, the decision on whether or not it is still necessary to continue a blood thinner is determined by the patient's overall stroke risk. This is calculated by a patient's CHADS2VASC score. Dr. Gupta is correct in saying that getting an ablation does not mean you can be guaranteed to stop your blood thinner. That decision still depends on your stroke risk
I would have been dead without my Pacemaker.....Once I had my pacemaker my snoring disappeared. 3 years after my Pacemaker my AF clicked in... now permanent!......I feel as though you are one of those doctors who wants to treat everything by giving up Coffee, Tea, Alcohol, ........You are a dreamer! A Puritan!
Great Guy to listen to learned a lot Given me a lot of thought . Thanks DR. Gupta
Thankyou Doctor I have had ablation done i go more information from you than i got from my doctor thankyou very much.
You are truly a Doctor that want to help even if like me not your patient. Thankyou again
thank you for posting this video. i showed it to my father who was considering one given a recent doctor's visit. the doctor wasnt as forthright and thorough as you though.
My husband would have been dead years ago had he not decided to have an ablation. Unfortunately, here in New Zealand, the state/public hospitals do not place hygiene high on their list of priorities so he got a Staph Aureus infection and this put his life at risk. He recovered however and lives a very active life now. Highly recommend this treatment.
Good Job Doc, expertise with common sense... I really like your Vids!
I knew it! and good thing Dr. Gupta has confirmed my decision of not having this so-called ablation. After half a year, I'm still enjoying my activities without any irritation. I will just continue to improve my lifestyle, diet, and quality of life - if these won't help me, then it's time for me to say adieu :)
I did it twice in NewYork-Presbyterian, it last 3 weeks first time, second time I had a fib next day...
Thank you. You have provided information I can use at the next appointment with my cardiologist. 🙋🥇
I had the procedure done 3 years ago. So glad I had it done, off the blood thinner, I would do it again.
May i ask ur age? My mom is 70. 100%afib
@@cheriechavez3513 I was 68.
How severe was ur afib? I'm worried the odds are high that people go back into a-fib after procedure anyway.
@@cheriechavez3513 It's not a guarantee, but they have pretty good success rate. Your heart is being overworked in afib, Eliquis just lowers your stroke %. They shocked me 2 different times, but I went right back in. I know people that stay on blood thinners for years and do ok.
Just had it done last wk for parox afib. So far so good
I had paroxysmal AFib and at age 76 had an ablation which was problem-free. The AFib is gone and good riddance to it. I take Eliquis daily, am on the thin side because I purposely lost 25 pounds, and feel good. Thank you Dr. Gallinghouse of Austin Cardiac Arhythmia Center for giving me my life back.
I have had Cryo-ablation which is done by freezing the area instead of burning it. Its been over 5 years that I've had it done and I have been much better. Right now I do get the occasional skipped beats which are bothersome but so much less so than the arrhythmia I had before.
Dr Gupta, thank you for this video and all the videos you share. My husband had a telephone consultation with you a few months ago regarding his paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and is currently undergoing a pulmonary ablation as we speak.
Thank you for the information and reassurance you gave him during your consultation - you provided important information he had never previously been told and helped him make his decision to go for the ablation.
Many Thanks and good health to you and your family.
How is your husband doing now? Was the ablation the right decision??
@@blakemoore666 he’s doing good and recovered quickly from the procedure. It’s too early to tell if it has worked as we won’t know until he has another episode of AF - which will hopefully be never! The cardiologist said in his case the success rate is around 85% so fingers crossed
@@jiylees Thanks for your reply. Tough decision for me to make. My journey started December 2019 after a bad bout with a respiratory virus, heart went into afib, went to er, cardio version the day after, been dealing with pac and pvc ever since, albeit they are not that bad, only a few per day, some days 10-20, Flecainide didn’t help, cardiologist sent me to EP, he’s suggesting ablation, he says the pac and pvc will only get more frequent as I get older, will be 59 next month. Just trying to get as informed as possible!
@@blakemoore666 I can understand how tricky your decision is. My husband and had his first episode of AF out of the blue aged 28 - otherwise completely fit and healthy and never ill a day in his life until then. Wasn’t told much at the time other than he may or may not have another episode. He had nothing until a 2nd episode last October aged 40. He then had a telephone consultation with Dr Gupta who said he would be a good candidate for the ablation so we got an appointment with an electrophysiologist cardiologist who talked it over with him. He said that within the next 10 years he would likely progress to persistent AF and end up having to take take drugs for the rest of his life which really didn’t appeal to him so opted for the ablation as a chance of a cure. Now it’s just a waiting game to see if he has another episode or not. It could be likely in the first 3 months following the ablation while his heart heals but so far he’s only had a very short episode lasting a few seconds. Fingers crossed he has no more.
You could arrange a telephone consultation with Dr Gupta. He is brilliant at explaining things and takes the time to listen to you and answers all your questions. He really put our minds at ease particularly when he told us the AF would not shorten his life. We spent 12 years in tenterhooks thinking that another episode could prove fatal. Why he wasn’t told that aged 28 I will never know.
@@jiylees praying your husband continues to heal & do well ! Yes, my EP told me it only progresses no matter your situation, so that’s reason enough to address it ! Just so scary anyone tinkering with your heart, lol 😂. My EP makes it sound so routine and really I guess it is nowadays !
I was diagnosed with WPW syndrome at Emory University Hospital in 2008 . I had an ablation there and it did not completely stop the SVT episodes I was having ( up to 260 bpm ) for hours at a time . My heart would go into this rhythm after the ablation which they term electrophysiology but was only short lived for a few seconds at a time instead of hours long . It was more frequent after the ablation than before but much shorter in duration. I was prescribed beta blockers and that helped even more . Cutting out processed foods , sugar and simple carbs has helped even more . Still have short episodes and they happen mainly after too much caffeine. I had them from 11 years old and lived with it . I chose to not go back for more treatment . I will try the magnesium supplement that you recommend and see if that helps . Keep up the great informative videos !
Same here.... I still had episodes after ablation for WPW 2.5 years ago but I have beta-blockers now to use as needed if I have an episode... I have been offered another ablation but I think I am going to pass.
How do you feel now?? I also have wpw with SVT and I am scared
Thank you so much doctor, for your wise words. They are of great help. All the best to you.
Dr. Gupta, would you mind addressing the patient’s exposure to fluoroscopy during the ablation? This is an area of which few patients are aware. Generally speaking, the amount of time to which the patient is exposed to this strong radiation depends on the body habitus (i.e., the larger the patient the longer the fluoroscopic exposure). Typically, the average patient during a catheter ablation is exposed to the equivalent of 830 x-rays using fluoroscopy.
There’s an electrophysiologists video here on UA-cam who says it should be 5-10minutes max
Thankyou for this very useful consultation. It has been both helpful and reassuring in some ways, valuable as having this kind of in depth discussion is hard to come by what with waiting lists and cancellations. Thankyou kindly.😊
what an awesome video, once more, I have learned a lot more about my condition.
I had one 20 years ago for AV node reentry tachycardia. Then, about 3-4 years ago I developed IST...but thankfully no afib.
The Heart Institute in Montreal has a success rate up to 95%. So this video is 4 years old and the technology has evolved since then. The procedure is necessary for AFib patients.
Dont care that it is 95 percent, I believe gupta not you. 4 years is not that long at all. no ty
@@sunshinelovenv go believe someone you never met. I lived through it twice. Again, I believe real life facts not internet videos. He looks like a 30 years and saying he has 28 years of experience. Sounds fishy to me.
It’s not necessary, hell sometimes it doesn’t work!
I had ablation without inserting pacemaker and I am totally fine for 25 years without any medications (Thanks God and Dr. Mark Josephson).
My comments are that I was scheduled for an ablation upcoming nov 13 2019. I have not had any symptoms of AFIb for about 1.5 months. I am going to decide in the next 24 hours if I want the procedure or not. I am leaning towards not getting it done b/c I have no symptoms for such a long time.
I will up date to help anybody make their decision about this procedure.
The Dr makes it clear that it is not normal to have surgeries in your heart if you do not have symptoms or have small symptoms. The video was helpful to me in making my decision about the ablation.
Bill Julian plse get it done. I have gone as much as 6 months w/o Afib yet .....one night I went up to 130 then 2 hrs later I was at 37.... never been there before. I had a pacemaker implanted on Oct 24. After 2 days In Hospital, had to change meds, stayed 2 more days heart could not go back in sinus rhythm. So I go back in on Nov 11 for ablation.
Absolutely put it off as long as possible I wished I never had my first one done. But I did it was about 12 years ago when ablations we're not really that successful. I'm thinking about having another one done 12 years later now please let me know how yours goes.
Reggie Palmer I just had my one month check yup and I have not experienced 1 Afib.... Its like I was given a new life, without Afib. My heart had been in sinus rhythm for the first time since 2005. Best of luck to you.
@@reggiepalmer6157 No I already canceled surgery that was schedule din early November. No symptoms since September I will continue to monitor it.
Invasive surgery should be avoided if possible depending on the situation.
Each case is different so to say "get it done" is saying so without all the information on that person.
@@debisjoy8017 outstanding
I think it’s highly likely that for many, ablation that removes a-fib can absolutely extend lifespan. Doctors cannot make the claim due to lack of studies as of yet, but it’s common sense that if a-fib increases stroke risk, then not having it decreases stroke risk and thus life can be extended.
Treating AFib should decrease stroke risk, overall health of your heart (AFib can weaken your heart Ejection Fraction %), improved symptoms, life style and longevity..
Thank you for keeping things NATURAL when possible sir
I had an ablation 9 days ago for my paroxysmal afib. Worst part about the procedure was the stress and anxiety surrounding it. The actual procedure was uncomfortable, but overall fine. I was awake during it. Before the ablation I had afib every 2-3 days. Haven't had any issues since. It'll likely return eventually and I'll have to do another one, but I'm not particularly concerned about that anymore.
Thanks I have paroxysmal Afib as well. No ablation yet.
@@InternetDude based on my own experience, if you are having more than a couple of episodes a year, or the episodes are lasting more than an hour, you might be wise to consider treating it either with drugs or an ablation. The more you’re in a fib, the more the left ventricle is modified both structurally in that it gets larger, and also electrically. afib leads to more afib. There are some non-electrophysiologist cardiologists out there who are fairly negative about the electrophysiologist discipline. If you’ve got one of those, I suggest you find an electrophysiologist.
I wish my current cardiologist explained things the way you do. You are so thorough.I asked him if I should lose weight and he just pooh pooled the idea. I definitely need to lose weight.
It really bothers me that surgeons just want to do surgery,,I have seen my cardiologist 3 minutes out of all of 10 months I've been dealing w this..I have no answers
@@christylovetimmy5429 $$$$$
Great video! Too many videos on UA-cam by people (actual patients) advocating getting ablation done. I relived 80-90% of my symptoms just by improving my diet and taking supplements. Ablation sounds pretty extreme.
My 80 yrs old aunt suffers A. Fib and cardiologist referred her to get an ablation. Would you mind to share your experience on diet and supplements so that she can avoid getting the ablation? My email is maaamaaa1@gmail.com
Tell us more....
tell us moar
Red, what supplements, please
Ablation has been performed for nearly 20 years now, and the procedure has been refined over these years...I had an ablation last week, and am now AFIB free!...the procedure is not stressful, does not hurt, and I entered the Hospital at 5AM,, and left at 3pm same day. Do not fear this procedure, the complication rate is very low, and the results are usually very good.
Thanks so much , I am 78 years old , "they " discovered that my heart beats are too slow and irregular but I don't have any symptoms I m never been breathless or over tired , I walked a lot and dont feel tired after , I am a jazz musician paying saxophone blowing everyday hours ..
But my doctor recommended me electochocks , blood thinners and after this probably an ablation ..I took blood thinner( eliquis 5ml but ihave decided to stop immediately... THE HEART NEVER BELIEVES IN LIMITATIONS ❤ thanks for your information and honesty .
As always very sane presentation super helpful for those of us that have the chore of making a decision concerning ablation
Thanks very much dr gupta . Very interesting . I am 75 years old and have had proximal AF for approx
Dr Gupta, thank you so much for this clear and informative video. I note it was made about 6 years ago. Has anything changed in terms of ablation technology and reliability?
I would like to know that too!
It is all getting improved as time goes by!
Husband here. I have had several cardioversions and one ablation(2013) over the last 16 years (now 71 years old). I have kept a-fib at bay, but still take anticoagulants and an anti-arrhythmic drug (sotalol). If a-fib comes back permanently, I do not think I will go through another ablation. It was definitely scary, and I had a rough time. This doctor is presenting a
very thorough and balanced view of the risks of this operation.
Dr. Gupta, all these electrophysiologists usually push ablations and pacemakers no matter the conditions, it seems. I've gone 5 years, 1 year, and 3 months between episodes - more recently under tremendous stress and mineral loss, but still they're pushing procedures instead of correcting any underlying imbalances. Thank you for your very clear explanations.
How to fix the underlying imbalance?
I personally had an ablation.... not an academic who is Pleasantly Arrogant and talks in circles. Please have the procedure done it changed my quality of life!
This video is over 7 years old, which is a lifetime in terms of medical procedures and updates. As informative and affirming as this may be for some folks, it's irresponsible for it to continue to be up here without some disclaimer as to its age. This needs to be updated or taken down. Oh, and I had my SVT ablation yesterday. Every doctor I spoke to warned of the danger of relying on medical advice of UA-cam videos.
This video is from 2016. In terms of ablation, this is fairly old stuff. This type of ablation has only been performed since the late 1990:s and in larger numbers probably only since the early 2000:s. The procedure and the medical equipment used is constantly being innovated and improved upon.
A recent study from 2018 has shown that ablation does significantly improve survival rates for patients with heart failure who subsequently received ablation (though it should be noted that the procedure also carries more risks for them). It would therefore make sense that some of this health benefit would extend to healthier patients as well.
The question a patient should consider is what his health prospects are in 5, 10, 20, etc, years. If medications are simply prolonging the period toward which you would need some type of surgery or ablation, then it's much better to do it while you're younger and your heart is healthier. Especially if you're an older patient who may not be as healthy in 5 or 10 years as today.
That was my situation, and your comments are excellent!...AFIB is the enemy, a good ablation is your ally.
Wish I had heard your presentation three years ago! Had three cardio versions for a fun and non held. Then developed v tach where my heart was beating at 212 and it was expected I would go into cardiac arrest but held on. Had the toxic medicine you spoke of before trying an ablation. Went into cardiac arrest immediately. At this point, I feel good, exercise at cardiac rehab, and am grateful to be here!
So did you go ahead and have an ablation?🤔
Thank you very much. This answered several of my concerns. One question: could you expand on how "inflammation" is a root cause of A-Fib and list some of the causes of inflammation other than being overweight and sleep apnea?
Minerals deficient
I didn't find that inflammation had much to do with my afib - I have had it tested, and my numbers are super low. I eat a good diet, and take minerals and other supplements. It's still a mystery to me why I have an excess of electrical signals in the pulmonary veins! I have just taken the plunge and agreed to have an ablation. I am really hoping it will help me!
@@barbaramah4422 Did you have the ablation, and how are you now? How was your recovery?
@@Savannah-ed4rv Hi, I had it about a year ago and it has been AWESOME! I had only one episode over the entire year, which lasted about 10 seconds! It feels wonderful to have my life back. Recovery was easy, only a little rough that first night, when you had to lie still for 6 hours (to close up the artery they used). I am SO glad I did it!
@@barbaramah4422 That's wonderful! Thanks for your message and it is encouraging to hear your experience. The worst part would by lying for 6 hours. I don't think I could do that with my back and leg problems. One reason I've hesitated, but I may have to bite the bullet. lol. I'm very happy for you!
Dr. Gupta, thanks for the simple way of explaining how these tech" in medical terms to understand them. I'm almost 47 and I take a lot of pills to control my heart rate. I still get afib events. recently my meds have increased my dose. the doctor wants me to do the TEE procedure and then cardioversion. If their is nothing wrong with my heart structure then another Ablation. First one was in 2015. Second one might work. it fractioning in what to do. when to go to ER, and not too. no information is given when asked. I'm afraid that the second ablation won't work. If it doesn't, then what should be done? and When? I don't drink or smoke. normally very healthy, except type one diabetes.
Needed 2 it worked ! 2 years ago I am doing very well ! I also lost weight don't smoke or drink! Swim laps feel great!
Are you still prescribed a blood thinner? I love this doctor and his awesome informative videos. But I am a bit confused by his saying that with an ablation, although you don't experience AFib any longer, your risk of stroke does NOT drop. Hmmm? From what I've read in several articles it seems like the high risk of stroke is eliminated along with the AFib? Of course this video is 5 years old so maybe it's new information that's been learnt?
I had one for tachycardia, worked wonderfully. MAY Begin...but only 2 to 3 beats. Have it if you need it. Had it done 20 years ago. Good luck.
really appreciated what you had to say
"How many electrocardiologists would have this procedure done to themselves ? " That's the question my cardiologist put to me. He reckoned, not many. He was senior lecturer in heart rhythms at a medical school. He took me through other reasons why he thought it was inappropriate for me, and I think he did me a favour. Imperfect as it is I stick with beta blocker for my fibrillation, and the pacemaker for my ventricular bradycardia.
Hmm, to put the question another way tho, how many electocardiologists have PVC's, SVT's, AFib attacks? And how many would be desperate for a cure, or even relief from the awful symptoms these conditions give the sufferer? I'd bet quite a few would would take the option of an ablation if offered and in the same situation.
How do you feel now??