As we celebrate Valentine’s Day and American Heart Health Month, I want to talk about my heart—not just in the metaphorical sense, but in a very real, personal way.
Daria, Thank you for the excellent podcast about your journey with afib. Would you be willing to share the name of the doctor who performed your successful ablation and/or the name of the medical facility where you had the ablation and Watchman procedure done? That information would be invaluable! Thank you, Kathy Campbell
Hi Kathy. Thank you. I'm glad you found this post helpful. The doctor who performed my ablation and Watchman procedures is Dr. Andrea Natale at The Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin, Texas. There is also a Dr. Sangentelli at the Cleveland Clinic, who trained under Dr. Natale and who I've heard very good things about. Both are highly skilled electrophysiologists. Let me know via DM if you have any other questions.
I too developed persistent atrial fibrillation and am having my first ablation tomorrow. I have resisted the Watchman because of some research questioning its safety. I’m so glad yours is successful! Question for you: are you off all heart-related meds now? That’s where I’d like to be, but I’m certain I’m older than you and that perhaps matters. Thank you so much for posting your experiences!
Best wishes for a successful ablation tomorrow. I did a lot of research on the Watchman before I went that route. The same doctor who performed my ablations also placed my Watchman. My research found that the skill of the doctor makes all the difference--which is also the case with ablations for complex cases like mine was. The only med I take is 12.5 mg once a day of metoprolol. I don't even have so much as an irregular blip, and the 12.5 mg is such a small dose that I don't find has any ill affects. My doctor told me that I could quit taking it, but everything works so well that I don't want to rock the boat. DM me if you'd like. I hope you do well with your ablation, and I'd like to know how you're doing. I'll think positive thoughts for you tomorrow Gail!
I totally get what you went through as I have Afib. I had a stroke and heart attack in August, 2023 from Afib. Fortunately I got to the ER in time and was able to make a full recovery. I did have to learn to walk again and spent 3 days in the hospital. Elliquis and metropolol (a medicine that slows the heartbeat to a manageable pace) are my constant companions. At some point, I will probably have to have some more serious medical intervention, but I am grateful for every day of life at present.
I'm so happy that you've made a recovery from your stroke Jane. AFib is a terrible affliction. I'm glad that the metropolol is working for you, and I hope that it continues to work. There are a couple of internet forums for afibbers. They can be very helpful, and many of the people who administer them and post regularly are very knowledgeable about afib and the various treatments and protocols. You've got a wonderful attitude and outlook.
Thank you for sharing that, Daria. It's good to know all the things that can go wrong with our health and what to do about it, while we're fit and well. It's great that you're back in good shape now.
It’s something I’m grateful for every day! One aspect that was particularly hard for me to deal with was the inability to control it or fix it myself. My way of finally taking control was to realize that this was one situation where I needed serious medical intervention.
Daria, Thank you for the excellent podcast about your journey with afib. Would you be willing to share the name of the doctor who performed your successful ablation and/or the name of the medical facility where you had the ablation and Watchman procedure done? That information would be invaluable! Thank you, Kathy Campbell
Hi Kathy. Thank you. I'm glad you found this post helpful. The doctor who performed my ablation and Watchman procedures is Dr. Andrea Natale at The Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin, Texas. There is also a Dr. Sangentelli at the Cleveland Clinic, who trained under Dr. Natale and who I've heard very good things about. Both are highly skilled electrophysiologists. Let me know via DM if you have any other questions.
I too developed persistent atrial fibrillation and am having my first ablation tomorrow. I have resisted the Watchman because of some research questioning its safety. I’m so glad yours is successful! Question for you: are you off all heart-related meds now? That’s where I’d like to be, but I’m certain I’m older than you and that perhaps matters. Thank you so much for posting your experiences!
Best wishes for a successful ablation tomorrow. I did a lot of research on the Watchman before I went that route. The same doctor who performed my ablations also placed my Watchman. My research found that the skill of the doctor makes all the difference--which is also the case with ablations for complex cases like mine was. The only med I take is 12.5 mg once a day of metoprolol. I don't even have so much as an irregular blip, and the 12.5 mg is such a small dose that I don't find has any ill affects. My doctor told me that I could quit taking it, but everything works so well that I don't want to rock the boat. DM me if you'd like. I hope you do well with your ablation, and I'd like to know how you're doing. I'll think positive thoughts for you tomorrow Gail!
Thank you again!
I totally get what you went through as I have Afib. I had a stroke and heart attack in August, 2023 from Afib. Fortunately I got to the ER in time and was able to make a full recovery. I did have to learn to walk again and spent 3 days in the hospital. Elliquis and metropolol (a medicine that slows the heartbeat to a manageable pace) are my constant companions. At some point, I will probably have to have some more serious medical intervention, but I am grateful for every day of life at present.
I'm so happy that you've made a recovery from your stroke Jane. AFib is a terrible affliction. I'm glad that the metropolol is working for you, and I hope that it continues to work. There are a couple of internet forums for afibbers. They can be very helpful, and many of the people who administer them and post regularly are very knowledgeable about afib and the various treatments and protocols. You've got a wonderful attitude and outlook.
https://www.stopafib.org/
https://www.afibbers.org/forum/list.php?9
Thank you for sharing that, Daria. It's good to know all the things that can go wrong with our health and what to do about it, while we're fit and well. It's great that you're back in good shape now.
It’s something I’m grateful for every day! One aspect that was particularly hard for me to deal with was the inability to control it or fix it myself. My way of finally taking control was to realize that this was one situation where I needed serious medical intervention.