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ablation

Hi-My son is 52 years old and had a major heart attack three years ago,resulting in a lot of heart damage.  He recently is having an irregular heartbeat,would ablation be an alternative to a defibulator? Thank you so much. Also could you explain Ablation?
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1569985 tn?1328247482
The David Stern thread is current.  I think it was all useful information.  Anything that helps us feel less helpless in the face of these rhythm disorders is always useful and welcome IMO.  Thanks for sharing:)
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612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sorry for the "time warp".. I didn't notice until after I sent my reply that the origination of this tread is very dated - well my intentions were to help, but I doubt "zipper..." will read as her profile show no activity since 2009.

Well at least I got some updates and sent Michelle best wishes for continued good heart rhythm -  same to all  : )
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612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
It is a bit much to expect a personal detailed explanation of ablation, but here's a brief summary as I think your questions haven't been addressed.

Heart ablation refers to a surgical procedure done with catheters via the blood system.  Its goal is to establish carefully placed scar tissue in the inside of the heart to block unwanted electrical signals that cause an uncomfortable and sometimes life threatening heart beats.

An ICD is, on the other hand, an electrical device that monitors the heart rate and if the heart begins to fibrillate will generate a defibrillation pulse to "shock" the heart back into normal rhythm.  I believe the threshold for this shock is custom set to the condition/person being treated.

I do not associate a heart rhythm issue with a heart attack.  I have never had a heart attack, than God, but I have a condition called permanent atrial fibrillation for which I take drugs to control/lower my heart rate and to reduce/eliminate (hopefully) blood clot formation - which is in itself a condition for risk for uncontrolled bleeding... a balance act with some care to avoid cuts.

Only a cardiologist and/or electrophysiologist (EP - hope I spellled correctly) can advise on what is needed and what the odds are of it helping.
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1807132 tn?1318743597
I had an ablation back in 2011 and 5 weeks out I had a storm of ectopic beats that made me very very ill for about a week.  other than that I had lots of ectopic beats for the first 6 months and it took a good year for me to get to a point of not noticing them so much.  I still can get them but they don't bother me so hang in there. It is a slow recovery but things should get better.  However if you are at all concerned about what you are feeling do not hesitate to go back and see your ep.  Stay strong.
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1569985 tn?1328247482
You should discuss this with your cardio.  It is my understanding that the heart may be irritable and produce some of the symptoms you describe for periods of 3 months to a year after an ablation. Also, people are on anti-arrythmia medications as well as blood thinners in the case of afib ablations. It has been a very short time since your ablation, so I would not assume, yet, that it has failed.  Others who have firsthand knowledge will jump in here and give you some advice, I am sure.  Good luck with this.
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Avatar universal
Hello I am 34 male in New York City. I just had my ablation three weeks ago. since the ablation, I have been having pounding heart, paplations and shortness of breathing. I really regret that I got the ablation. I would not have done it if I know that I would have all these symptons., Please help me. I don't know what to do now.
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187666 tn?1331173345
It really depends on the type of arrhythmia. My Dad had 4 heart attacks and ended up with an ICD. It helped to control his v-tach and v-fib which can be life threatening. I don't know if an ablation will help fix the damage caused by a heart attack. His doctor would know more about his particular case.
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