How soon can I run after SVT ablation?

[emilieg]

I'm scheduled for an ablation for SVT on Tuesday.  I'm in the middle of training for a half marathon that is exactly two months away.  The SVT has been derailing my training as it is exercise induced.  I'm wondering, best case scenario, how soon can I be back to running?

[Darola]

Successful EPS today, which thanks to the expertise of my cardiac consultant and some whizzy 3d mapping he was able to induce SVT and pin point the spot to ablate. Whilst in there he also identified some arterial flutter, which he also ablated so I got 2 for the price of 1!

Got to rest up for a week now and then can't wait to 'test' it out. Looking forward to a summer with some hard and honest racing, with out having the SVT mill stone around my neck. Will take some time for me to get my confidence back, I just pray that his really is it resolved.

[EJhnson]

Darola, my EP diagnosed SVT/AVNRT on my EKG, as it was happening, at only 128 bpm (very low for SVT).  He recommended an ablation procedure, which I had last March.  My SVT only began during running and persisted afterwards for up to 4 hours.  The EP was unable to induce SVT during the procedure.  But, he identified, during that same catheter lab procedure, a slow pathway near the A/V node.  He ablated that.  I continued to have a few brief runs, up to one hour, of SVT, at higher rates, after the March ablation, until about mid-June.  None now, other than single ectopic beats during strenuous exercise.  Good luck.

[kenny194181]

Is there anyone that knows about ablation and mini-maze 5 will have to have one next few months. all information will appreciated.

[Darola]

Just had a brief email from my cardiologist, he will be sending me the full report shortly. It said:

"Very extensive EP study

Nil provoked except few consecutive beats from atria after large doses of isoprenaline administration and multiple extra-stimuli

No complications of any sort

Train to 160bpm if possible to avoid tachycardias precipitated by training /  racing at higher level"

No idea yet if this his final prognosis, or he intends to follow up with more tests. Is there any where else to go after an inconclusive EP? With close to 40 episodes this year it's a little more than benign, but as it's only ever when Im running I'm not sure what else can be done.

2 days post EP and I'm bitterly disappointed at the moment. Hopefully I'll have something positive to follow up with soon.

[Darola]

Had an EP today but they only managed to induce SVT for around 10 seconds which wasn't sufficient to pin point the area to ablate.

Still waiting to speak to the consultant to find out what happens now. All in all I'm very frustrated as I've had to drop out of 2 races in the last 5 weeks due to SVT attacks. I'd really hoped today would fix it and put it behind me.

Anybody else had a failed EP and then followed later up with a successful one, and ultimately got the ablation completed?

[kcolly32]

I had an ablation for exercise induced SVT back in October, just had my follow up appointment with my cardiologist right before thanksgiving and he said I had no restrictions on exercise and to go full speed ahead. I started working out 3 weeks s/p my ablation but was taking it very easy until i got the clear from him. My EKG looked good so he gave me the green light. I've been to the gym multiple times since then and I've ran and lifted without any episodes or PACs, which i used to get alot before the ablation during exercise too. My groin hurt for a couple weeks after the procedure and was on light duty at work for a couple weeks, i'm a nurse. So I would give it a couple weeks before you start back to your strenuous exercise. I feel great working out now and it's amazing that I don't feel my heart beating out of my chest now when I run! good luck, let us know how it goes for you!

[tom_h]

Check the journal of a user called Jannie411.  She has a very good write-up on her procedure.

[Darola]

I've been experiencing exercise induced SVT for around  18months, getting it every couple of weeks or so, and frustratingly during races. I'm scheduled for an ablation December 19th so am interested in the experiences of others post procedure.

I'm pretty fit at the moment and really hope that the recovery isn't to protracted.

[tom_h]

While this is an informative thread, keep in mind that I believe all the posters had procedures for SVT, not Afib.  Consequently, your results may differ widely from what you've read here.  Not trying to let the air out of your balloon, but just being realistic.  Wishing you the best.

[TherealSueC]

So pleased to have found this.  I'm currently on the warfarin therapy prior to an ablation for A Fib, so different problem, same cure.  I'm a marathon runner but training for the last one was blighted by this heart thing. I can't wait to get back to some decent training again and all your comments on this thread make me realise that it might actually happen for me!

[KTrunning]

Listen to your body; you know it better than anyone.  After my 1st ablation, I didn't think things were right (HR was still running high when I tried to exercise), and I ended up having to have a 2nd ablation.  I still didn't think things were right and it turns out I'm having a separate issue from SVT.  I waited until two weeks out to try and run and then a month out before I started to run consistently.   I'm now almost 3 months out from the 1st one and 2 months out from the 2nd one and am back to running 50 miles/week and attempting to train for my post-ablation marathon.  

[littlegreenman1]

KTrunning and I have had some significant conversations off line about this topic. Everybody is going to be different: let's make that clear.

Expect though that your heart will be "funny" for some time. You are going to by HYPER-sensitive to what's going on there. What you're looking for is, heart rate that increases and recovers proportionately to exertion.

I gave 2 weeks to recovery from surgery and it took about 2 weeks to get some legs back under me. At +60 days, I felt totally solid... again: everybody is different.

PM me if you would like to discuss more off line. I'm not on the forum that much.

[historygrl]

Thanks! I guess I expected too much. When they tell someone who is a distance runner that they will be 100% in a week. well, that means 100%! But I guess that's not really what they mean.  More like 100% to start up again slowly.  I'll stop putting so much pressure on myself. I did a 30 min walk and abs today and feel fine. Baby steps...

[tom_h]

Listen to your heart.  It will tell you when to get back into it.  Recovery is different for each of us.  Take it easy, light work outs with physician approval.  You'll be back into it in no time, but expect jumpiness for months to come.  There may be times when you'll swear the ablation procedure was a bust.  I had a terrible week nearly 7 months after my procedure.  I could even walk across a room without skips and bursts of racing.  It suddenly vanished and I was fine again.  Give it lots of time!

[historygrl]

Hi
I'm really happy to have found this post. I also am a life long runner and part-time SVT sufferer. I ended up having an ablation just over a week ago. It was a AVNRT.  I was told I'd be "100%" in a week, so I went to the gym and tried to do cardio and my heart was bouncing all over the place so I stopped. I went for a walk instead. I felt weird all day and finally went to urgent care. I was ok but just having some skipped beats and things. It just feels really weird. I'm wondering if I should cool it on the cardio for awhile. I am fine doing weights/ab work and light walks. But then I'm also thinking I might just be scared and should push through it. My already low blood pressure is lower than it was (92/58).  Any advice?

[historygrl]

Hi
I'm really happy to have found this post. I also am a life long runner and part-time SVT sufferer. I ended up having an ablation just over a week ago. It was a AVNRT.  I was told I'd be "100%" in a week, so I went to the gym and tried to do cardio and my heart was bouncing all over the place so I stopped. I went for a walk instead. I felt weird all day and finally went to urgent care. I was ok but just having some skipped beats and things. It just feels really weird. I'm wondering if I should cool it on the cardio for awhile. I am fine doing weights/ab work and light walks. But then I'm also thinking I might just be scared and should push through it. My already low blood pressure is lower than it was (92/58).  Any advice?

[KTrunning]

Thanks for the info!  I am optimistic that I'll be back to running sooner rather than later.  I haven't maxed out my HR since the stress test, so little nervous about getting back to hard workouts!  In the days right after my first ablation, my BP and/or HR would drop fast and cause me to feel sick.  I haven't had that this time around, so I'm taking that as a good sign :-)  

[littlegreenman1]

I just qualified for Boston Marathon.
You'll be good to go. Stronger and more confident than ever.
PM me if you want to talk about marathons and SVT.

[tom_h]

I skate, and was back on the floor and ice in a week doing light laps.  I too along with just about everyone else here felt the after effects for up to a year.  It take a while for the heart to settle down, almost like it has a memory of the errant pathways.  I got 5 to 12 beat runs of SVT for a long time afterwards.  I was so concerned that my cardiologist hooked me up to what he refers as the "pain train" and gave me a grueling treadmill workout to prove that my heart was really fixed.  I hope you continue your recovery and that the symptoms you're now feeling will begin to subside.

[KTrunning]

What a beneficial strand to me :-)  I had cardiac ablation #1 a month ago (mid-October) and just had #2 a few days ago (mid-November).  I had major side effects after #1, possibly b/c a few bad pathways were masked by the one that was fixed, and am having more minor side effects after #2 that I am figuring are from a different type of anesthesia and having more pathways ablated.

I run marathons and have been out of running for 3 months now, so it's encouraging to read people who have been through same procedure who are now running marathons again.

[littlegreenman1]

...hit enter...
Anyway - the lightheaded and feeling is 50% angry heart and 50% anesthesia hangover.

Bottom line - did they fix it?

PM me if you want me to review my logs.

[littlegreenman1]

From an athletic stand point you will not lose a whole ton of cardio fitness. I can review my Garmin logs as I use it as a journal and I'd guess there are detailed notes about how I felt.

[blimpus77]

Glad you made it!  Wishing you a speedy recovery...mine's on Monday, so we can compare recovery notes.

[MichelleP_3811]

Your soreness will go away.  It may be due to where they burned and the fact they did nine.  I think they did 5 on me.  You will feel all sorts of oddness for some time afterwards.  I think I had some jolts of pain a couple of times for the first couple of weeks but then it went away.  I had a lot of ectopics for quite some time afterwards but you will get your stamina back once everything settles down. It can take a while so try to baby your heart as best you can but you can go on living your life just knowing your heart will get stronger and stronger with each passing day.  You may actually find you have more stamina now that the tachycardia is gone.  I have found I can push myself more than I ever could with the tachycardia so as you experience the oddness as your heart heals just tell yourself in the long run this will all have been worth it.  But do contact your doctor if anything concerning seems to creep up.  Likely it will also be par for the course in the path to healing but it is best to keep them posted if anything concerning appears.  But other than that try to take is slow for a bit and then just watch pushing too hard but even if you do your heart will keep getting stronger and stronger so just rest for now and feel better soon.  I am very happy to hear it all went well and was successful.  

[KenTang]

I am also a marathon running and I had a catheter ablation about a month ago (24 Oct 2016). I went for a short run (4km) about 10 days after the operation. And have try 4-5km run every two to three days. Most of the time it ok, but on a few occasion, I just felt bad after the run. I get the heaviness, uncomfortable feeling. similar to those I had before I had the operation.
Should I stop running?
Or is this something that will get better over time?
I am getting worry that the running (instead of resting) is damaging the Catheter ablation operation.
What should I do?
Thanks for your advise