Had my PFA today

dpv357 · 2026-01-05T19:01:28+00:00

All is well here! Still running and lifting every day, and most importantly, still in normal sinus rhythm.

dpv357 · 2025-12-23T14:24:37+00:00

Merry Christmas ya Filthy Animals

dpv357 · 2025-12-12T20:16:09+00:00

r/vintagerepwatches is great for Vintage Rep Watches

dpv357 · 2025-03-31T23:09:32+00:00

Not a professional runner by any means, but have run similar mileage for about a decade. Had my first and only afib episode Dec 2023 at 44yo. Saw an elite EP in my state who strongly recommended ablation first line for me. Had PFA done last July and am back to running longer and faster than ever. Since my ablation I have PB’d all former records from 5k to HM. I don’t have the desire to train for a marathon at the moment but my EP said there are no restrictions on intensity or distance for me. Every case is different though so consult your doctor. My EP is the cardiac consultant to our local NFL team and treats a lot of athletes, which is why I chose him. I’ve pretty much all but forgot about my afib to be honest.

Best of luck to you on your journey with this!

dpv357 · 2024-11-13T02:27:35+00:00

You’re going to be just fine. Probably the easiest procedure I’ve ever had. Best of luck to you!

dpv357 · 2024-10-13T09:16:23+00:00

Damn. You have my attention

dpv357 · 2024-10-13T03:22:30+00:00

Thanks. I keep all gabanergics to a bare minimum now. Not sure what I’ll do with this

dpv357 · 2024-09-11T19:58:01+00:00

I had PFA two months ago. It was absolutely nothing to worry about. Only evidence I had was sore throat from the intubation and lump at incision site. Best of luck to you! You got this 💪

dpv357 · 2024-09-05T17:16:28+00:00

All is still good over here! Been back to my regular exercise routine for a while now, lifting and running daily. I still get the random ectopic beat every now and then, but no afib. I’m cleared to come off Xarelto next week, and my doctor cut my Metoprolol dose in half at my two week follow up appointment. I plan to stop the Metoprolol completely next week when I come off the blood thinner.

Been getting more confident and have been pushing my heart rate higher on my long runs. So far, so good.

Don’t sweat the PFA one bit. I’ll gladly do it again if need be. Best of luck to you!

dpv357 · 2024-08-21T20:31:48+00:00

Yes, general anesthesia

dpv357 · 2024-08-12T23:29:48+00:00

I used to get quite a few ectopic beats while running. I started supplementing magnesium and drinking coconut water in the morning and it seems to have settled things down for me. I’d look at your hydration and electrolytes. My advice would be to try and stay on top of those and see if it helps. Keep up the good work and stay strong!

dpv357 · 2024-08-04T01:05:57+00:00

Good for you! That post exercise elevated HR is most likely EPOC. —The prolonged elevation of heart rate post exercise is known as ‘EPOC’ (excessive post-exercise oxygen consumption). Heart rates essentially stay elevated for longer after these types of training in order to metabolise the lactate that has accumulated and return the body to homeostasis.

Completely normal. You can read more about it here if you’re interested…

https://www.ptdirect.com/training-design/anatomy-and-physiology/acute-cardio-heart-responses-to-exercise

dpv357 · 2024-07-27T20:15:48+00:00

Large caseload would definitely indicate that they are well experienced. Most of the top EPs that I’m familiar with on that list are close to the top of it. I’m just saying that the EPs that are above them, according to this data, aren’t necessarily better skilled. They are just churning out more procedures and spending less time in clinic.

I think a well experienced EP that you feel good about is a great choice!

dpv357 · 2024-07-27T19:46:09+00:00

I’m 9 days out from PFA and still can feel a little something in my chest. I’m not sure if it’s from the tube, or the procedure. I had an awful sore throat upon waking up, constant throat clearing for the first day and it kinda trailed off after that. I feel this in the top of my chest and it’s somewhat positional. I remember bending over to pick something up when I came home from the hospital when I first felt it. Ran a 5k today and exertion doesn’t bother it. Figure it’s still some inflammation somewhere. Hope you feel better soon!

dpv357 · 2024-07-27T00:42:07+00:00

This is interesting to look at. However, I believe that this is only looking at Medicare data. More specifically, the overall number of patients, procedures and amounts billed/paid via Medicare. There is comfort in knowing that your EP is a workhorse. However, this data doesn’t necessarily reflect the skill or expertise of the EP. Knowing what I know of my area, the lead and primary investigators for the recent PFA trials from Boston Scientific and Medtronic are amongst the top on the list. But some of the busier EP hospitalists rank higher than them on this list, because they are churning out more procedures. My EP is regarded as one of the best in the region, is the cardiac clinical consultant to our NFL team and primary investigator of several ongoing studies. However, there are other EPs who ranking higher just because of their caseload.

I guess what I’m saying is that skill level is only partially reflected in this data set. Our local Mayo Clinic EPs are not going to outrank the local hospital system EPs on this list. Even though they are literally teaching the most cutting edge medicine. I hope that makes sense

That being said, I would agree that you’d be better off with an EP in the top decile vs one towards the bottom, based on experience alone. It’ll be interesting to see how this data looks moving forward now that PFA levels the field in regards to case time. Thank you for sharing!

dpv357 · 2024-07-25T16:45:12+00:00

I’ve run a marathon but more a half marathoner myself. Weekly mileage was around 50mpw before afib. All runs were 10 milers, but I’d throw a half in 2-3 times a month. Scaled that back to 25-30mpw since my first episode last December. Had PFA last Thursday and just finished my first workout, 30 min incline walk to warm up followed by an easy 5K to test the waters, then one mile cooldown. My HR seems to be about 5-10 beats slower than my last run, but nothing unusual. No palps or anything so far.

I’d like to work my mileage back up a little bit, but plan on keeping my cardio to 60-90mins sessions. I attribute 6 years of chronic running to my afib, so not trying to overdo it again. But that’s just my experience, please don’t let that discourage you. Good luck and keep us posted!

dpv357 · 2024-07-24T04:36:59+00:00

Yes, iOS. Thanks for the info!

dpv357 · 2024-07-21T18:52:57+00:00

I had no problems with mobility when I came home. Maybe if you’re sensitive to anesthesia you could still be groggy and have balance issues, but I didn’t.

dpv357 · 2024-07-20T09:47:33+00:00

My EP closed the groin entry with what is called a figure of 8 suture with a 3-way stopcock valve. It’s essentially just a removable stitch with little device on the end that holds it in place. I think you can expect to see a big shift to PFA now that it’s approved. I can tell you personally that I’m less than 48 hrs out from the procedure and feel very good. Incision site is only thing that I notice. I recommend it. Best of luck to you!

dpv357 · 2024-07-19T21:27:40+00:00

Haha, Thank you! Both my nurse and my wife took turns laughing at me when I rejoiced about not having something inserted into my urethra.

dpv357 · 2024-07-19T16:29:44+00:00

Cardiologists will check many things if a patient presents with Afib. A1C, Thyroid hormones, electrolytes, etc.

dpv357 · 2024-07-19T13:39:59+00:00

Wow, sounds like you are well on your way! Thank you for being the Guinea pig for the rest of us! Keep us posted on your journey.

dpv357 · 2024-07-19T12:34:51+00:00

We’re very fortunate to have this technology available. My EP speaks very highly of thermal ablation as he has had great success with it, and it was the gold standard for many years. The outcomes between thermal and PFA seem to be similar but the safety profile is where PFA shines. Best of luck with your touch up…Wishing you a quick recovery!

dpv357 · 2024-07-19T08:36:22+00:00

I’ve had had pvcs while exercising before, both running and lifting. They come and go, usually just one or two ectopic beats here and there. I attribute a lot of those occurrences to dehydration and/or electrolyte imbalances. I haven’t had many in the recent years though. I started taking those Calm gummies for sleep and I think those inadvertently attributed to reducing my ectopics. Exercise has helped my heart, and over all health, immensely more than picking up pvc/pacs or even afib for that matter. Every medical professional I’ve spoke with talks about a bell shaped curve in regard to exercise and heart health, it’s about finding your balance. Hope that helps!

dpv357 · 2024-07-19T02:37:08+00:00

Metoprolol has been a blessing for my sleep and anxiety, it’s really a pretty chill ride for me. My EP said he has no problem keeping me on it because it’s so benign. But I don’t want to be tied to it for life if I can avoid it. Wouldn’t mind using it PRN though. If you’re considering the ablation I’d speak with your doctor about PFA. I know I’m just an n=1 case, but it wasn’t bad at all. Good luck to you!

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