Has anyone experience cardiac ablation at the age of 68

I am a 68 year old female who has experienced tachycardia for the past 18 years.  These episodes would usually awaken me from sleep; however they could also occur during the day whether I was active or inactive.  In the beginning it occurred maybe 4 or 5 times a year.      However over the last 3 months it had increased to 4 or more times a week.  Last month my dosage of toprol xl was increased from 1/2 of a 25mg tablet once a day to 1/2 of a 25mg tablet twice a day.  This has brought my episodes down to less than 3 times for the entire month.  My doctor has suggested that I do cardiac ablation to try and eliminate the problem entirely.  I have been told that tachycardia usually
worsens with age and becomes harder to control with medication.  Has anyone around my age experienced a history of what I have described and tried ablation as a solution?  If so please give me some feedback.  


This discussion is related to Ablation vs. Medication.

[Darlingorla]

Hi I just had a successful ablation 4 weeks ago for AVNRT.  If you look back you can read my report which I posted around June 20.

I am 60 so it's never too late - go for it if the EP thinks you are a good candidate!

[whattodoat68]

Thank you so much for your encouragement.  I have found and read your April 8th and April 10th posts.  However, I can't locate your June 20th or thereabouts post.  Is it possible I'm not looking in the correct spot.  I'm not very computer savvy.  I really want to read about your experience with the ablation.

Thanks,
whattodoat68

[Heiferly]

Sorry to butt into your conversation ... I was just passing through and thought I might be able to help you locate the post you were looking for.  Here are the two posts that seem relevant:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Rhythm/SUCCESSFUL-ABLATION---WITHOUT-SEDATION/show/1269045

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Rhythm/ABLATION-REPORT-FOR--AVNRT-/show/1269655

Best,
-heiferly.

[ksig]

I, too, have been battling heart arrhythmia for years.  Finally at age 56, I was advised to have my first ablation.  I was thrilled and it took care of some of my difficulties.  Now at 61, I just had my second pacer implanted seven weeks ago.  I am SO much better than I was when I started this journey.  I feel wonderful.  I have so much more energy.  I still have AFib but it does not rear its ugly head nearly as much as it used to.  The AFib was getting me down and I finally made the decision to go the ablation route and have not looked back since.  Frankly it was the best decision for me.  I was on a boat load of meds before the ablations and now I am down to two pills a day.

I know you have many questions about the procedure, so please ask.  Many folks on this forum have had to make the same decision you are considering and will be happy to help you.
ksig