Will I have more energy after ablation?

I've had palpation every since open heart surgery 4 years ago. I'm often exhausted. I was told I have VT and the ablation will make me "feel like a million bucks" but I read a lot here and don't see anyone mentioning energy levels.

I can live with the PVCs I'm only getting the ablation to get my energy back. Will I?

Ablation 2 weeks from Friday.

Thanks,
Robin

[Jannie411]

After my ablation, my energy levels did come back.  They had been adversely impacted by the beta blocker I was on for more than 10 years.  Once I had the ablation and was taken off the beta blocker there was a huge difference.  Before I was exhausted all the time.  I didn't realize how bad it really was until after the ablation.

Are you on any type of medication for your VT?

[heartofwisdom]

No meds, my BP is too low. Thanks.

[Janpes]

Initially after the ablation I was very very tired, but gradually my energy levels came back up. I am now 8 months post ablation and am back doing my usual workload, plus voluntary work, plus walking and exercising. Somedays I do feel tired but most I am up and about all day.

I also don't take any meds as my BP is low.

[tom_h]

For me, it wasn't that I felt more energy after the ablation, it was just that I could now "harness" my energy where before I couldn't without risking an event.  So you start to fall into a rut, sitting at my desk in work all day, coming home and eating dinner, then flopping on the sofa in front of the TV until it's time to go to bed and start the cycle all over again.  Initially I was hesitent to try anything really stressfull.  Then we started having historic snowfalls, even for New England and I was forced to go out and confront my hesitation.  Guess what?...nothing happened.  By late March, I literally dusted off the treadmill, and started walking.  Then walking and running.  Then I cut out all carbs, reducing them to about 25grams per day. Then BAM!!, the energy levels shot up, the weight started to fall off more easily.  Since mid March, I've lost 15 pounds, and 2 waist sizes.  I'm back into jeans which were in a bag marked for the Salvation Army.  My LARGE T-shirts I'm now using for sleep shirts as I'm swiming in them.

I'll be fine now that it's warmed up here in New England.  The key will be to remain active when it turns cold.  I plan to do some snowshoeing this winter in a local state park, and maybe try some cross country skiing there as well.  Of course, I'm skating again too, but that's limited to one or perhaps two nights per week.

So while the ablation really doesn't change the physical structure of your heart, it allows you to use its full capabilities.  Initially, it's actually injured from the burns.  If they do a transseptal puncture to get to the left side of the heart, you may actually feel pain for a few weeks.  Fortunately, a healthy but out of shape heart reponds rapidly to exercise, and you'll be active in no time.  You just have to go out and do it!