Chest pain following ablation

[Teach1]

Hi all.  I had an ablation 4 weeks ago and since that time I have been experiencing chest tightness, pressure, and sharp pains in the heart.  I am seeing my doctor on a weekly basis to determine the cause and undergo treatment.  Following a work up of tests (echo, nuclear stress, ekg, etc.) the doctor has determined that everything in the heart is normal and that this "discomfort may be something that I just have to ride out." I never experienced these problems before the procedure and had an ablation due to SVT.  My question is - has anyone had similar experiences following an ablation procedure?  If so what were your symptoms, how long did the discomfort last, and what type of treatment did you undergo?  I am a helthy 29 year old that had been exercising regularly before the procedure.  Since then I have not been able to do so because of the pain.  I just want to feel "normal" again.  Thank you for your response!

[Smitty150]

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[ireneo]

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[marlou514]

Hi I underwent my second ablation for wpw syndrome in January 2007.  This time it was successful, however I have been told It could return.  I'm 26 and otherwise healthy.  Like you I suffered terrible stabbing pains to my heart post procedure, they were agony initially,I couldn't lie flat, bend, lift, and definately couldn't work,  but gradually they got easier.  I'm still having the pain 11 months on, however less regularly.  It's really nice to hear that others have had the same experience as I was beginning to think I was imagining them.  I've been told that it's something that will eventually go but have been given no time scale.  

[gstrickland86]

I had 2 ablations in 2002-2003 for Afib and it was a success.  About 4 months following the last ablation I started having severe chest pain (Level 10) so I went to the emergnecy and it was determined that my Pulmonary veins had stenosed from the ablation - the 1 % risk that is discussed, that is me.

To make a long story short after stents and several angioplasties, my upper left PV is still 100% stenosed and lower left PV is ~ 50%.  The discomfort is still there but is not anyway as intense.

It may be worth asking the question of the pain continues - they are able to test with a CT angiogram now without having to cath.

Good luck

[Sweetwaterguy]

I developed an inflammation around my pericardium which caused some discomfort and an intermittent cough.   Whatever discomfort I had post ablation resolved quickly.  Hopefully you will end up with as good a result as I have experienced.  

[steven63]

I had abalation for AVNRT on January 22, 2008. I'm 45 and have had PSVT's if not all my life, then since I was about 14. For me, recovery was difficult.  I had alot of stabbing pains at the ablation site for the first few weeks, skipped heartbeats, dizziness and the like. Caught pneumonia 3 months after. Now, 4 1/2 months later I still get the stabbing pains, though much less frequently. Cardiologist says it should continue to subside. I find that when I suddenly exert myself (as opposed to gradually such as gardening or mild exercise), my blood pressure will spike to 140 or 180 and stay that way or I get the stabbing chest pain at the ablation site.  It can happen when I pickup something a little heavy, during sex or simply moving around too fast.  If my blood pressure spikes, I can feel like my heart is in my throat and my chest feels heavy and I am weak. I could go to bed and 8 hours later it is still spiked, with my heart rate at around 100. Dr. says to take a Verapamil, which brings me back to normal within 2 hours. Dr. originally said symptoms would last 30 days, then 3 months. I have seen so many varied experiences on this forum, I appreciate all who have shared. I don't feel so alone in my experiences.  By the way, no more PSVT's, which I am thankful for - and I hope they stay away. I look forward to symptoms continuing to decrease.