Mended Hearts Open Forum

Hello everyone,

I had a cardiac ablation and an extensive and aggressive epicardial ablation done at the same time this year to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia, a condition where my resting heart rate was around 130-140bpm.  I'm an extremely active person, a typical day in my job involves hiking around 9-12 miles, in my spare time I enjoy rock-climbing and kayaking along with working out.  A few months before diagnosis I noticed I was getting very winded with minimal exertion and 3 months later I was passing out regularly forcing me to take medical leave from work while also abstaining from all physical exertion.  My surgeon recommended an epicardial ablation as for my diagnosis a cardiac ablation alone has a very low long term success rate.  Although receiving a pacemaker after severing the sinus node would have had the greatest success rate especially long term, I was refused due to my age unless I went through these procedures first. 

I'd desperately like to connect with someone who's had a heart procedure near my age (31yrs old), or who's been through an epicardial ablation as it's such an uncommon procedure. The only information I can find is second hand, but no one with first hand experience about what recovery is like at my age or what a new normal might look like post procedure with my lifestyle.  Even my doctor remains vague and unsure as this procedure is so uncommon.  At 2 months out I struggle with acute pericarditis that is so debilitating I can't manage a short slow walk even with strict bedrest and anti-inflammatories.  I repeatedly go into atrial flutter clocking 180-240bpm until I get cardioverted (multiple times in a week), and have tried Amiodarone but discovered I'm allergic. To top it all off my heartrate no longer elevates appropriately with activities like walking or traversing stairs so I'm back to panting and blackouts.  I know things can take time, but I expected to see some improvement even if in a small or gradual way by month 2 of a predicted 3 for healing time.   All of this to say, is there anyone out there like me that would share their story?  

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Thecla S
Lakewood CO
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Hello everyone,

I had a cardiac ablation and an extensive and aggressive epicardial ablation done at the same time this year to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia, a condition where my resting heart rate was around 130-140bpm.  I'm an extremely active person, a typical day in my job involves hiking around 9-12 miles, in my spare time I enjoy rock-climbing and kayaking along with working out.  A few months before diagnosis I noticed I was getting very winded with minimal exertion and 3 months later I was passing out regularly forcing me to take medical leave from work while also abstaining from all physical exertion.  My surgeon recommended an epicardial ablation as for my diagnosis a cardiac ablation alone has a very low long term success rate.  Although receiving a pacemaker after severing the sinus node would have had the greatest success rate especially long term, I was refused due to my age unless I went through these procedures first. 

I'd desperately like to connect with someone who's had a heart procedure near my age (31yrs old), or who's been through an epicardial ablation as it's such an uncommon procedure. The only information I can find is second hand, but no one with first hand experience about what recovery is like at my age or what a new normal might look like post procedure with my lifestyle.  Even my doctor remains vague and unsure as this procedure is so uncommon.  At 2 months out I struggle with acute pericarditis that is so debilitating I can't manage a short slow walk even with strict bedrest and anti-inflammatories.  I repeatedly go into atrial flutter clocking 180-240bpm until I get cardioverted (multiple times in a week), and have tried Amiodarone but discovered I'm allergic. To top it all off my heartrate no longer elevates appropriately with activities like walking or traversing stairs so I'm back to panting and blackouts.  I know things can take time, but I expected to see some improvement even if in a small or gradual way by month 2 of a predicted 3 for healing time.   All of this to say, is there anyone out there like me that would share their story?  

It seems that this forum is DOA, even reaching out to a supposedly active local branch in a major city turned up nothing.  It could be a great resource but functionally is the remaining storefront of a closed business

Hello everyone,

I had a cardiac ablation and an extensive and aggressive epicardial ablation done at the same time this year to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia, a condition where my resting heart rate was around 130-140bpm.  I'm an extremely active person, a typical day in my job involves hiking around 9-12 miles, in my spare time I enjoy rock-climbing and kayaking along with working out.  A few months before diagnosis I noticed I was getting very winded with minimal exertion and 3 months later I was passing out regularly forcing me to take medical leave from work while also abstaining from all physical exertion.  My surgeon recommended an epicardial ablation as for my diagnosis a cardiac ablation alone has a very low long term success rate.  Although receiving a pacemaker after severing the sinus node would have had the greatest success rate especially long term, I was refused due to my age unless I went through these procedures first. 

I'd desperately like to connect with someone who's had a heart procedure near my age (31yrs old), or who's been through an epicardial ablation as it's such an uncommon procedure. The only information I can find is second hand, but no one with first hand experience about what recovery is like at my age or what a new normal might look like post procedure with my lifestyle.  Even my doctor remains vague and unsure as this procedure is so uncommon.  At 2 months out I struggle with acute pericarditis that is so debilitating I can't manage a short slow walk even with strict bedrest and anti-inflammatories.  I repeatedly go into atrial flutter clocking 180-240bpm until I get cardioverted (multiple times in a week), and have tried Amiodarone but discovered I'm allergic. To top it all off my heartrate no longer elevates appropriately with activities like walking or traversing stairs so I'm back to panting and blackouts.  I know things can take time, but I expected to see some improvement even if in a small or gradual way by month 2 of a predicted 3 for healing time.   All of this to say, is there anyone out there like me that would share their story?  

It seems that this forum is DOA, even reaching out to a supposedly active local branch in a major city turned up nothing.  It could be a great resource but functionally is the remaining storefront of a closed business

Hello everyone,

I had a cardiac ablation and an extensive and aggressive epicardial ablation done at the same time this year to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia, a condition where my resting heart rate was around 130-140bpm.  I'm an extremely active person, a typical day in my job involves hiking around 9-12 miles, in my spare time I enjoy rock-climbing and kayaking along with working out.  A few months before diagnosis I noticed I was getting very winded with minimal exertion and 3 months later I was passing out regularly forcing me to take medical leave from work while also abstaining from all physical exertion.  My surgeon recommended an epicardial ablation as for my diagnosis a cardiac ablation alone has a very low long term success rate.  Although receiving a pacemaker after severing the sinus node would have had the greatest success rate especially long term, I was refused due to my age unless I went through these procedures first. 

I'd desperately like to connect with someone who's had a heart procedure near my age (31yrs old), or who's been through an epicardial ablation as it's such an uncommon procedure. The only information I can find is second hand, but no one with first hand experience about what recovery is like at my age or what a new normal might look like post procedure with my lifestyle.  Even my doctor remains vague and unsure as this procedure is so uncommon.  At 2 months out I struggle with acute pericarditis that is so debilitating I can't manage a short slow walk even with strict bedrest and anti-inflammatories.  I repeatedly go into atrial flutter clocking 180-240bpm until I get cardioverted (multiple times in a week), and have tried Amiodarone but discovered I'm allergic. To top it all off my heartrate no longer elevates appropriately with activities like walking or traversing stairs so I'm back to panting and blackouts.  I know things can take time, but I expected to see some improvement even if in a small or gradual way by month 2 of a predicted 3 for healing time.   All of this to say, is there anyone out there like me that would share their story?  

It seems that this forum is DOA, even reaching out to a supposedly active local branch in a major city turned up nothing.  It could be a great resource but functionally is the remaining storefront of a closed business

Hello everyone,

I had a cardiac ablation and an extensive and aggressive epicardial ablation done at the same time this year to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia, a condition where my resting heart rate was around 130-140bpm.  I'm an extremely active person, a typical day in my job involves hiking around 9-12 miles, in my spare time I enjoy rock-climbing and kayaking along with working out.  A few months before diagnosis I noticed I was getting very winded with minimal exertion and 3 months later I was passing out regularly forcing me to take medical leave from work while also abstaining from all physical exertion.  My surgeon recommended an epicardial ablation as for my diagnosis a cardiac ablation alone has a very low long term success rate.  Although receiving a pacemaker after severing the sinus node would have had the greatest success rate especially long term, I was refused due to my age unless I went through these procedures first. 

I'd desperately like to connect with someone who's had a heart procedure near my age (31yrs old), or who's been through an epicardial ablation as it's such an uncommon procedure. The only information I can find is second hand, but no one with first hand experience about what recovery is like at my age or what a new normal might look like post procedure with my lifestyle.  Even my doctor remains vague and unsure as this procedure is so uncommon.  At 2 months out I struggle with acute pericarditis that is so debilitating I can't manage a short slow walk even with strict bedrest and anti-inflammatories.  I repeatedly go into atrial flutter clocking 180-240bpm until I get cardioverted (multiple times in a week), and have tried Amiodarone but discovered I'm allergic. To top it all off my heartrate no longer elevates appropriately with activities like walking or traversing stairs so I'm back to panting and blackouts.  I know things can take time, but I expected to see some improvement even if in a small or gradual way by month 2 of a predicted 3 for healing time.   All of this to say, is there anyone out there like me that would share their story?  

It seems that this forum is DOA, even reaching out to a supposedly active local branch in a major city turned up nothing.  It could be a great resource but functionally is the remaining storefront of a closed business

Hello everyone,

I had a cardiac ablation and an extensive and aggressive epicardial ablation done at the same time this year to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia, a condition where my resting heart rate was around 130-140bpm.  I'm an extremely active person, a typical day in my job involves hiking around 9-12 miles, in my spare time I enjoy rock-climbing and kayaking along with working out.  A few months before diagnosis I noticed I was getting very winded with minimal exertion and 3 months later I was passing out regularly forcing me to take medical leave from work while also abstaining from all physical exertion.  My surgeon recommended an epicardial ablation as for my diagnosis a cardiac ablation alone has a very low long term success rate.  Although receiving a pacemaker after severing the sinus node would have had the greatest success rate especially long term, I was refused due to my age unless I went through these procedures first. 

I'd desperately like to connect with someone who's had a heart procedure near my age (31yrs old), or who's been through an epicardial ablation as it's such an uncommon procedure. The only information I can find is second hand, but no one with first hand experience about what recovery is like at my age or what a new normal might look like post procedure with my lifestyle.  Even my doctor remains vague and unsure as this procedure is so uncommon.  At 2 months out I struggle with acute pericarditis that is so debilitating I can't manage a short slow walk even with strict bedrest and anti-inflammatories.  I repeatedly go into atrial flutter clocking 180-240bpm until I get cardioverted (multiple times in a week), and have tried Amiodarone but discovered I'm allergic. To top it all off my heartrate no longer elevates appropriately with activities like walking or traversing stairs so I'm back to panting and blackouts.  I know things can take time, but I expected to see some improvement even if in a small or gradual way by month 2 of a predicted 3 for healing time.   All of this to say, is there anyone out there like me that would share their story?  

Hello everyone,

I had a cardiac ablation and an extensive and aggressive epicardial ablation done at the same time this year to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia, a condition where my resting heart rate was around 130-140bpm.  I'm an extremely active person, a typical day in my job involves hiking around 9-12 miles, in my spare time I enjoy rock-climbing and kayaking along with working out.  A few months before diagnosis I noticed I was getting very winded with minimal exertion and 3 months later I was passing out regularly forcing me to take medical leave from work while also abstaining from all physical exertion.  My surgeon recommended an epicardial ablation as for my diagnosis a cardiac ablation alone has a very low long term success rate.  Although receiving a pacemaker after severing the sinus node would have had the greatest success rate especially long term, I was refused due to my age unless I went through these procedures first. 

I'd desperately like to connect with someone who's had a heart procedure near my age (31yrs old), or who's been through an epicardial ablation as it's such an uncommon procedure. The only information I can find is second hand, but no one with first hand experience about what recovery is like at my age or what a new normal might look like post procedure with my lifestyle.  Even my doctor remains vague and unsure as this procedure is so uncommon.  At 2 months out I struggle with acute pericarditis that is so debilitating I can't manage a short slow walk even with strict bedrest and anti-inflammatories.  I repeatedly go into atrial flutter clocking 180-240bpm until I get cardioverted (multiple times in a week), and have tried Amiodarone but discovered I'm allergic. To top it all off my heartrate no longer elevates appropriately with activities like walking or traversing stairs so I'm back to panting and blackouts.  I know things can take time, but I expected to see some improvement even if in a small or gradual way by month 2 of a predicted 3 for healing time.   All of this to say, is there anyone out there like me that would share their story?  

I haven't had an epicardial ablation myself, but I was treated for a different arrhythmia (AVNRT) in my early 30s and went through a standard cardiac ablation. Even with the more common procedure, recovery had unexpected ups and downs, so I can only imagine how complex and uncertain things must feel for you right now.

It's frustrating when recovery doesn't follow the timeline you're given, especially when you're used to being active. I hope your doctors can find a better approach to manage the pericarditis and arrhythmia soon. Going through multiple cardioversions in a week must be incredibly tough on your body.

Hello everyone,

I had a cardiac ablation and an extensive and aggressive epicardial ablation done at the same time this year to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia, a condition where my resting heart rate was around 130-140bpm.  I'm an extremely active person, a typical day in my job involves hiking around 9-12 miles, in my spare time I enjoy rock-climbing and kayaking along with working out.  A few months before diagnosis I noticed I was getting very winded with minimal exertion and 3 months later I was passing out regularly forcing me to take medical leave from work while also abstaining from all physical exertion.  My surgeon recommended an epicardial ablation as for my diagnosis a cardiac ablation alone has a very low long term success rate.  Although receiving a pacemaker after severing the sinus node would have had the greatest success rate especially long term, I was refused due to my age unless I went through these procedures first. 

I'd desperately like to connect with someone who's had a heart procedure near my age (31yrs old), or who's been through an epicardial ablation as it's such an uncommon procedure. The only information I can find is second hand, but no one with first hand experience about what recovery is like at my age or what a new normal might look like post procedure with my lifestyle.  Even my doctor remains vague and unsure as this procedure is so uncommon.  At 2 months out I struggle with acute pericarditis that is so debilitating I can't manage a short slow walk even with strict bedrest and anti-inflammatories.  I repeatedly go into atrial flutter clocking 180-240bpm until I get cardioverted (multiple times in a week), and have tried Amiodarone but discovered I'm allergic. To top it all off my heartrate no longer elevates appropriately with activities like walking or traversing stairs so I'm back to panting and blackouts.  I know things can take time, but I expected to see some improvement even if in a small or gradual way by month 2 of a predicted 3 for healing time.   All of this to say, is there anyone out there like me that would share their story?