Life Expectancy After Cardiac Ablation: Success Rates and Longevity

Life Expectancy After Cardiac Ablation: What to Expect

Cardiac ablation is a procedure that can help treat heart conditions like atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia. It works by scarring or destroying tissue in the heart that triggers or sustains abnormal heart rhythms.

If you or a loved one is considering cardiac ablation or has recently had the procedure done, you may be wondering - what is the life expectancy afterwards? Read on to learn more about typical life expectancy after cardiac ablation along with factors that impact longevity.

Overview of Cardiac Ablation

Cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure performed to restore normal heart rhythm. It works by using heat, freezing cold, or radiofrequency energy to create scar tissue in the heart to block abnormal electrical signals.

Some of the most common conditions treated with ablation include:

• Atrial fibrillation - irregular and rapid heartbeat
• Supraventricular tachycardia - rapid heart rate originating from above the ventricles
• Ventricular tachycardia - dangerous rapid heartbeat from the ventricles
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome - extra electrical pathway in the heart

The cardiac ablation procedure is done under sedation or general anesthesia. The doctor inserts long, flexible tubes (catheters) through a vein in the groin up to the heart. The tip of the catheter delivers energy to scar small areas of the heart muscle where abnormal electrical signals are firing off.

This disrupts the faulty circuitry causing the abnormal heart rhythm. When the problematic tissue is scarred, the heart should beat normally again. The procedure takes 2-6 hours depending on the type of ablation and condition being treated.

Life Expectancy After Cardiac Ablation

So what can you expect for life expectancy following cardiac ablation? Overall, the prognosis after ablation for heart rhythm conditions is very good. For many people, ablation helps get their heart back into normal rhythm and allows them to live a full, healthy life.

According to research, around 75% of people who have ablation for atrial fibrillation gain freedom from symptoms and are able to stop taking medications. The success rates are even higher for other conditions like ventricular tachycardia (up to 90% success) and AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (95% success).

While cardiac ablation cannot guarantee a complete cure or normal life expectancy in every patient, it can significantly improve quality of life and long-term outcomes for most.

Impact on Life Expectancy

Life expectancy after cardiac ablation varies from person to person based on individual factors. But in general, ablation has the potential to extend and improve life expectancy in patients with heart rhythm disorders.

This is because ablation treats the underlying cause of problematic heart rhythms. By stopping abnormal electrical signals, it can help prevent complications like blood clots, stroke, heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest - all of which would shorten life expectancy.

Research shows that ablation helps reduce the risk of death in patients with heart conditions like ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. And by minimizing symptoms and the need for medication long term, it improves quality of life.

Talk to your electrophysiologist about your individual outlook and chances of living a normal lifespan based on your particular heart condition before and after ablation.

Long Term Success Rates

While ablation is very effective initially, there is a chance that abnormal heart rhythms can return for some patients over time. Recurrence rates vary based on the type of arrhythmia treated.

For atrial fibrillation patients, 60-80% may be free of a-fib at 1 year after ablation, but only 5-40% remain in normal rhythm after 5 years. With AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, recurrence rates are about 2-5% at 5 years.

If arrhythmias do return, a second ablation procedure or medications may be required to regain control of symptoms. Multiple ablation procedures can improve success rates long-term.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Ablation?

Cardiac ablation offers the best outcomes in patients who meet certain criteria:

• Have a heart condition like AFib causing significant, uncontrolled symptoms
• Have tried medication but it was ineffective or caused side effects
• Have a healthy enough heart to withstand the procedure
• Don't have other uncontrolled medical conditions that preclude ablation

Talk to your doctor to determine if your specific case of atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia makes you a good candidate for ablation. If so, you may gain significant benefits to longevity and quality of life.

Risks to Consider

While very safe, cardiac ablation still carries some risks to consider when weighing it as a treatment option. Potential side effects include:

• Bleeding or infection at catheter insertion site
• Blood clots
• Puncture of the heart
• Damage to veins, valves or arteries
• Heart attack
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Respiratory problems from anesthesia

In very rare cases ablation can cause damage to the esophagus, nerves, or arteries around the heart. Serious complications occur in less than 2% of ablation procedures.

Your doctor will help determine if you are healthy enough to undergo ablation based on assessment of your risks. For many people, the potential benefits outweigh the small chances of complications occurring.

Recovery After Ablation

Recovery time after cardiac ablation varies from person to person based on the ablation approach used and how your body heals:

• Same day discharge - Most people can go home the same day as their ablation procedure and make a quick recovery.
• Return to normal activities - You may be able to resume normal activities within 1-2 days, besides avoiding vigorous exercise temporarily.
• Work recovery - Most people take about 5-7 days off work. Listen to your body and dont overexert.
• Full recovery - It may take 2-4 weeks to feel completely normal again after ablation.

Following your doctor's post-procedure instructions carefully can help support healing and recovery after ablation. Report any concerning symptoms right away.

Improving Life Expectancy After Ablation

There are things you can do to help support your heart health after ablation and maximize your life expectancy. Recommendations include:

Take Prescribed Medications

Stay on top of any medications your electrophysiologist prescribes post-ablation, such as blood thinners to prevent clots or anti-arrhythmics to control heart rhythms. Dont stop taking them without medical approval.

Attain Ideal Weight

Losing excess weight if overweight and maintaining a healthy BMI reduces strain on your cardiovascular system. It also minimizes other risks like sleep apnea that could impact heart health.

Follow Up with Your Doctor

Schedule regular check-ups to monitor your heart rhythm and function after ablation. Report new symptoms like palpitations, fatigue, chest pain or shortness of breath.

Limit Alcohol

Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause heart rhythm problems and may impact ablation success.

Quit Smoking

Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, which introduce toxins and put stress on your cardiovascular system.

Reduce Stress

Find healthy ways to cope with emotional stress, like exercise, meditation, therapy, or spending time with loved ones. High stress may negatively impact heart health.

Eat a Heart Healthy Diet

Follow a nutritious heart-friendly diet focused on whole foods. Limit salt, added sugar, saturated fat and processed foods.

Stay Active

Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise, like brisk walking, swimming or cycling, as approved by your doctor. Exercise strengthens the heart.

Monitor for Signs of Recurrence

Watch for symptoms like palpitations, dizziness or racing pulse that may signal a recurrence of your arrhythmia, and report them promptly.

The Bottom Line

Cardiac ablation is an effective procedure that can eliminate heart arrhythmias, prevent complications like stroke, and minimize the need for long-term medications in many patients.

By treating the underlying cause of abnormal heart rhythms, ablation has the potential to significantly improve life expectancy and quality of life.

Talk to your electrophysiologist about your prognosis and expected benefits from ablation. With a successful procedure and healthy lifestyle changes afterwards, many patients gain control of their heart condition and live a full lifespan.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.