Tired After Cardiac Ablation? Discover Why & Learn About Post-Ablation Care

Bella May Tuney | Posted on May 3, 2024 |

Getting better after a heart rhythm correction procedure, also known as cardiac ablation, is an important step in dealing with heart rhythm problems like atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. This procedure isn’t a big surgery but it’s very precise and helps correct the heart’s rhythm by targeting and removing a tiny piece of heart tissue that’s causing the issues. With a success rate ranging from 50 to 95 percent, it is a safe and effective way to improve heart health.

Cardiac ablation is done to prevent serious problems that can come from not treating heart rhythm issues, such as stroke and heart failure. It can really make a difference in improving someone’s health and how long they live. However, feeling tired after the procedure is pretty common.

It’s important to take it easy and listen to what your doctor says during this time. Doctors usually tell people to relax more and cut back on activities and stress to help the body heal properly. Knowing how long and how intense this tiredness might be helps patients have a clearer idea of what to expect and makes getting back to everyday life easier.

Why You Might Feel Tired After a Cardiac Ablation

After a cardiac ablation, feeling tired is quite normal. Here’s why:

Healing Takes Energy: Your body is working hard to heal the heart after the procedure. This healing needs a lot of energy, which can make you feel tired.
Anesthesia Effects: The medicines used to keep you asleep and pain-free during the ablation can leave you feeling sleepy for some time, even after the procedure is over.
Stress and Worries: It’s common to feel stressed or worried about having heart surgery and what comes after. Dealing with these emotions can be exhausting.
Less Activity: You will be advised to take it easy and not do too much too soon after your ablation. This sudden drop in activity can make you feel unusually tired because your body isn’t as active as it usually is.
Your Heart is Adjusting: The ablation helps your heart beat regularly, but your heart needs time to get used to this new rhythm. During this time, you might feel more tired as your body adjusts to these changes.
Sleep Might Be Off: You might find it hard to sleep well after the procedure, maybe because of discomfort or worry. Since good sleep is key to feeling rested and energetic, not sleeping well can lead to feeling more tired than usual.

Knowing these reasons can help you understand that it’s okay to feel tired after your procedure and that it’s an expected part of getting better.

Healing After Cardiac Ablation: What to Expect

Healing from cardiac ablation is different for everyone, but here’s a rough guide to what you might expect as you recover:

Right After the Procedure (First 24 Hours):

Expect to stay in the hospital so doctors can keep an eye on you.
You might feel sleepy from the medicines used during the procedure and generally tired.
There could be some soreness where the doctor inserted the catheter, usually around your groin or leg.

First Week:

This time is for resting. Take it easy and avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activities.
You might still feel more tired than usual and need to rest often.
You may have a doctor’s appointment to see how you’re doing after the procedure.

Two to Four Weeks:

You’ll start feeling a bit better and might begin doing your regular activities again, but slowly and carefully, as your doctor advises.
If something doesn’t feel right, it’s important to tell your doctor.
You might notice some heart flutters as your heart heals. While this can be normal, always share your experiences with your healthcare provider.

One to Three Months:

Most of the discomfort from the procedure should be gone.
Your energy levels should start to go up, helping you feel more like yourself.
It’s still important to see your doctor regularly to make sure everything is going well and you’re recovering properly.

Three to Six Months:

Your heart has had some time to heal fully from the procedure by now.
You should be feeling the benefits, like fewer or no strange heartbeats.
Regular visits to the doctor can help check that your heart rhythm is steady and everything is okay after your ablation.

Six Months and Beyond:

Keeping up with heart care is important long after the procedure.
Making healthy choices, like eating well, staying active in ways your doctor says are okay, and managing stress, will help keep your heart strong.
You might see your cardiologist once or twice a year to make sure your heart stays healthy and to talk about any new symptoms or concerns.

Remember, recovery times can vary from person to person. Some people might recover quickly, while others take a bit longer. Always keep in touch with your doctors and tell them how you’re feeling throughout your recovery.

What to Do and Not Do After Cardiac Ablation: Tips for Healing

After you’ve had a cardiac ablation, there are some important things to remember to help you heal nicely and figure out if the treatment worked. Here’s a simple guide on what to do and what to skip:

Things to Do:

Listen to your doctor: They’ll tell you how to take care of the spot where the catheter went in and what medicines to take.
Keep taking your medicine: It helps with pain and keeps your heart beating right.
Go to all your doctor visits: Your doctor needs to check how you’re healing and how your heart is doing.
Start moving gently: Begin with easy walks and slowly do more as your doctor says it’s okay.
Eat and drink well: Water and healthy foods help your body mend.
Rest when you feel tired: It’s okay to slow down and give your body the break it needs.

Things Not to Do:

Don’t rush into heavy exercise or lifting big things: Give your heart and the catheter some time to heal.
Don’t miss your meds: Changing how you take them without talking to your doctor isn’t safe.
Stay away from smoking and drinking too much: They’re not good for your heart.
Don’t ignore new or strange symptoms: Tell your doctor right away if something feels off.

To Heal Properly:

Be patient: Your heart will take its own time to heal.
Write down how you feel: If your heart does funny things, write it down to tell your doctor.

Recognizing Your Heart’s Recovery

To wrap everything up, knowing your heart is getting better after a cardiac ablation boils down to a few clear signs. First off, if you’re not feeling those strange heartbeats anymore, like flutters or skips, that’s a great sign. Also, being able to do your usual activities without the old symptoms shows things are on the right track. The best piece of news will come from your doctor, who will check your heart with tests and tell you everything looks good. Plus, going for check-ups and seeing that your heart rhythm is staying steady and strong means your heart is doing well.

It’s also worth mentioning that the tiredness you might have felt after the procedure should start to fade gradually. As your heart heals and gets used to its new rhythm, you should find yourself feeling more energetic and able to enjoy more activities without feeling worn out so quickly. Each improvement, from fewer symptoms to more energy, is a step toward a fully recovered heart and a return to normal life.