Well, Here We Go Again… Aflutter’s Back
- maryrburrell
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Just when I thought I could finally hit cruise control for a bit, atrial flutter decided to make a comeback.
If you’re not familiar, atrial flutter is a heart rhythm disorder where the atria — the upper chambers of the heart — start firing off electrical signals too fast. It messes with the natural rhythm of the heartbeat, and I can tell you, it’s disruptive, and it takes a serious toll on my energy.
When it hits, even the basics feel like uphill climbs.Folding laundry? Exhausting.A short walk? Feels like I ran a mile.It zaps your stamina—and your patience.
That sudden heaviness? Yeah, I know it too well.The symptoms don’t just whisper—they shout.They stop me mid-sentence, mid-step, mid-breath.
I have to pause and check in with my body—do that little mental dance to keep anxiety from spiraling out of control.Because it’s not just physical—it’s emotional, too.My thoughts start racing, and I have to fight hard not to follow them down that anxiety rabbit hole.
What’s Next: Cardioversion
My interventional cardiologist wants to go ahead with a cardioversion. That’s a procedure where they sedate you and deliver a quick, controlled electrical shock to the heart. The goal is to reset the heart’s rhythm, kind of like restarting a frozen computer or rebooting your Wi-Fi when it’s acting up. Only, this time, it’s my heart we’re trying to get back online.
The silver lining? It’s outpatient. If everything goes smoothly, I’ll be home the same day. Some people feel a little sore after; others bounce right back. Either way, I’ve been through worse. If there’s a chance it gets my rhythm back to normal, I’m all in.
Looking Ahead: Maybe Ablation
We’re also not ruling out a catheter ablation in the near future. That’s a more permanent fix, where they find the specific area in the heart that's causing the misfiring signals and zap it. It’s more invasive, but the results can be long-lasting. If the flutter keeps coming back, this might be the move.
My doctor’s not into “wait and see” when it comes to recurring issues, so we’ve already got a consult in the pipeline. No decisions yet — just making sure we’re ready with Plan B if Plan A doesn’t stick.
Let’s Talk — Really
If you’ve been through a cardioversion or an ablation, I’d love to hear your experience. There’s nothing like hearing from people who’ve been through it and come out the other side. Drop a comment or send a message. I’m listening — and I know others reading this might be, too.
Thanks for sticking with me through these updates. I’ll keep you posted.
Until then, one heartbeat at a time.❤️🩹🥑
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