Catheter Ablation Recovery Period

Does anyone know how long is the typical recovery period from a catheter ablation for tachycardia? And how long it will take to get back to work? Thanks in advance.

[ireneo]

It seems to vary widely. The heart itself may take months to heal and settle down rhythm-wise. As far as the general physical side of it, I was feeling pretty normal within a week. I've had 3 ablations and each time I felt a bit different but it seemed to be related to how long they were in my heart. The second time took almost 7 hours so I felt kind of tired for a week. The 3rd time only took a couple of hours so I was ready to go in no time at all. I did go back to work within a couple of days but had to follow the doctor's orders - no lifting heavy objects. For me that meant no lifting 40 lb beavers or wrestling with Bald Eagles. LOL But I did most of my regular duties.

It seems other people seem to feel the fatigue longer. I know ablation for a-fib is harder on the body and will require a longer healing time.

So there's my answer LOL. It depends. I would say you'll be up and back to fairly normal activities within a week.

[ireneo]

It seems to vary widely. The heart itself may take months to heal and settle down rhythm-wise. As far as the general physical side of it, I was feeling pretty normal within a week. I've had 3 ablations and each time I felt a bit different but it seemed to be related to how long they were in my heart. The second time took almost 7 hours so I felt kind of tired for a week. The 3rd time only took a couple of hours so I was ready to go in no time at all. I did go back to work within a couple of days but had to follow the doctor's orders - no lifting heavy objects. For me that meant no lifting 40 lb beavers or wrestling with Bald Eagles. LOL But I did most of my regular duties.

It seems other people seem to feel the fatigue longer. I know ablation for a-fib is harder on the body and will require a longer healing time.

So there's my answer LOL. It depends. I would say you'll be up and back to fairly normal activities within a week.

[vbluraschi]

Thank you very much, Ireneo. I'll avoid the beavers and bald eagles, also, he, he, he.

Thanks again :-)

[demps123]

I had a ablation just over a month ago now. I had to have 2 weeks off work as my groin area on my right leg was very painful and badly bruised. I think looking back i must of had a small hematoma as my bruise did spread down my thigh slightly. I think everyone recoveres differently. I was told my ablation was very successful, but i am still having the odd wierd beat and small runs of palpitations now and then. I've also had a little light headedness, but i believe this is all to do with the healing process as i have been told it can take months for your heart to really recover and for there to be a real difference in how you feel. Even though i have had the odd palpitation,etc they feel different to before. So if you don't feel 100% straight away don't worry. Just listen to your body. I also found that when i get tired i feel really tired. But it is a nice tired feeling unlike the fatigue i had before the ablation. I'm due to have a follow up appointment with my EP Dr in Jan so it will be interesting to see what the holter monitor results will be and what he has to say. I'm abit anxious about it and i don't think the anxiety since the ablation has helped me. That's another thing you may notice, you can't seem to get your brain to realise that you have had an ablation. Every little blip or odd feeling makes you think oh know..it's back or it has not been cured. I found that the Drs didn't really give alot of information about the recovery other then you can do normal acvtivities within 1-2 weeks. Which was not the case for me. So any questions of concerns just come on here and talk to us all. It really has helped me to talk to people who understand what you are going through.

[vbluraschi]

You are right, demps, recovery is different for everyone. Yeah, doctors don't give you much information. So, I guess I'll follow your advice and stay around for a while :-)