What is cardiac ablation?
Cardiac ablation is a surgical procedure to treat arrhythmia. During the procedure, Dr. Yashar feeds a catheter through a vein on your neck, groin area, or forearm. Electrodes on the tips of the catheters can read your heart’s rhythm and can deliver electrical impulses to your heart. Dr. Yashar uses imaging and other tests in an electrophysiology (EP) study to find the abnormal tissue in your heart, causing your arrhythmia.
Once he finds the abnormal heart muscle tissue, Dr. Yashar delivers energy through the electrodes to the tissue to damage or scar it. In order to do this, he might use:
- Radiofrequency
- Laser energy
- Extremely cold temperatures
After your procedure, your heart’s rhythm may improve right away. In some cases, multiple cardiac ablation procedures are necessary for the best possible results.
How should I prepare for cardiac ablation?
Before you undergo cardiac ablation, Dr. Yashar may perform several tests to evaluate your arrhythmia and find the cause. Once he has a plan for your treatment, he gives you instructions to follow leading up to your procedure. To prepare for cardiac ablation, he may ask that you:
- Avoid eating and drinking starting the night before your procedure
- Avoid caffeine for at least 24 hours before your procedure
- Adjust or stop taking certain medications
- Remove nail polish, perfume, makeup, and other products
If you have any questions about what to expect during your procedure, Dr. Yashar can answer them for you during your consultation. He also tells you your options for sedatives or anesthesia before the procedure and how you can prepare for them accordingly.
How can I keep my heart healthy after cardiac ablation?
The health of your heart after cardiac ablation depends on a healthy lifestyle. Making healthy lifestyle changes can help reduce your blood pressure and prevent other complications that can worsen your arrhythmia. To get the most out of your cardiac ablation, Dr. Yashar may advise you to:
- Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise more often
- Avoid excessive salt in your diet
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Stop smoking
- Practice coping methods for stress and anger
Dr. Yashar may also help you book follow-up in-person or telehealth appointments after your cardiac ablation procedure to continue monitoring your condition. He helps you plan a second procedure or any further treatments for your arrhythmia if you need them.
For more information about cardiac ablation and what to expect, book a consultation by phone or online at Payam R. Yashar, MD today.
