A fast heartbeat is normal when going down the slope of a rollercoaster or before a big presentation. It’s just your heart responding to stimuli and allowing your body to continue functioning properly in times of stress. However, some people have abnormally erratic heartbeats due to conditions such as atrial fibrillation.
Unlike the usual constant thrum of a heart, people with atrial fibrillation experience an uneven heartbeat. According to Dr. Christopher Van Nguyen of Cardiovascular Consultants of the Woodlands, “Atrial significantly increases the risk of strokes and heart failure as it weakens the heart. It can be treated by medication or a minimally invasive surgery known as heart ablation.”
Heart ablation is a procedure that people with atrial fibrillation benefit from, with an overall success rate of 75%. Atrial fibrillation patients usually require repeat procedures to further improve their condition. In this blog, let’s learn what heart ablation does and if there are any limits to this helpful treatment.
What is Heart Ablation?
Cardiac ablation is a surgery that is used to improve atrial fibrillation for diagnosed patients. It works by applying energy through a catheter to destroy abnormal tissue responsible for an irregular heartbeat.
In some cases, ablation may be performed during open-heart surgery, which involves making incisions in the heart to create scar tissue that disrupts abnormal electrical pathways. However, catheter ablation remains more common.
Since cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that can take only 3 to 6 hours to complete, most patients can return to normal life within 48 hours. They can even go home on the same day as the procedure. However, the success rates vary according to the arrhythmia treatment.
Is there a Limit to How Often One Can Get Heart Ablation?
Usually, there is no strict limit to the number of times a patient may undergo heart ablation, as it is a procedure that can be easily repeated. However, the decision to repeat the procedure is based on several factors, such as a patient’s overall health, the type of arrhythmia being treated, and response to previous ablation procedures.
Generally, patients undergo multiple ablation procedures if their arrhythmias persist or recur after the initial treatment. Each case is evaluated individually by healthcare providers, who consider its benefits and risks before opting for another heart ablation.
Are too many heart ablation treatments harmful?
While cardiac ablation is generally considered safe, it has some associated risks. These risks become more prominent if the ablation is repeated, as each surgery can potentially cause complications.
Patients are at risk for bleeding, infection, or damage to surrounding heart tissues. Repeated procedures may lead to scar tissue formation, further complicating future interventions. Hence, healthcare providers evaluate if the benefits outweigh the possible risks of complications before recommending another heart ablation.
The Benefits of Heart Ablation for Cardiac Patients
Arrhythmia is often treated with medication, but there are cases where patients don’t see a difference with medical therapy. That’s when the heart ablation procedure can save lives, as it’s a minimally invasive procedure with few risks compared to more invasive measures.
Heart ablation benefits patients in the following ways.
Restore Normal Heart Rhythm
Dr. Nyugen explains, “The primary goal of cardiac ablation is to eliminate abnormal electrical pathways of the heart. It’s successful in that aspect as patients can have a normal heartbeat and proper overall heart function.”
Reduction in Symptoms
Many patients experience decreased arrhythmia symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath. So, it can improve the quality of life.
Decrease Stroke Risk
For patients with atrial fibrillation, it can significantly reduce the risk of stroke by preventing blood clots that form due to stagnant flood flow in the atria.
Reduce Dependency on Medications
Many patients find they can reduce or eliminate their reliance on medications if the ablation succeeds. This can help patients be free from the side effects of long-term medication use.
Improved Exercise Ability
Patients often report an improved ability to engage in physical activities without experiencing debilitating arrhythmia symptoms.
Takeaway
Many arrhythmia patients see improvements in their quality of life after cardiac ablation as their symptoms reduce substantially. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that improves success rates when repeated, so medical professionals may recommend it once more until the arrhythmia is completely treated.
Annie Edith is an experienced journalist and content creator with a strong passion for health and wellness. She takes a unique approach to her writing, exploring the latest trends in Dental, Fitness, and mental well-being, while providing readers with informative, research-based articles.
