Cardiac ablation treats supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a condition causing abnormally fast heart rhythms. Many individuals with SVT wonder about the procedure’s impact on life expectancy. While SVT is generally not life-threatening, ablation aims to resolve irregular heartbeats and improve quality of life.
Understanding SVT and Cardiac Ablation
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an abnormal heart rhythm originating in the heart’s upper chambers. During an SVT episode, the heart beats very rapidly, often exceeding 100 beats per minute and sometimes reaching over 220 beats per minute. Common symptoms include palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, and light-headedness. While SVT is often benign and doesn’t typically cause sudden death or heart damage, it can significantly affect daily life.
Cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure correcting these irregular heart rhythms. It involves inserting thin, flexible wires (catheters) into a vein, usually in the groin, and guiding them to the heart. Once positioned, the procedure identifies and targets small areas of heart tissue responsible for abnormal electrical signals. Energy, such as radiofrequency (heat) or cryoablation (cold), is applied to destroy or scar these areas, blocking faulty electrical pathways and restoring a normal heart rhythm.
Impact on Life Expectancy
For most individuals with supraventricular tachycardia, cardiac ablation significantly improves quality of life and can normalize life expectancy. By successfully eliminating the abnormal rhythm, ablation reduces the risk of complications from prolonged or frequent rapid heart rates. Studies generally show high success rates for SVT ablation, contributing to long-term freedom from arrhythmia for the majority of patients.
The effectiveness of cardiac ablation, with success rates ranging from 87% to 98% for acute success, leads to substantial improvement in heart rhythm control. This control reduces the potential for heart muscle weakening or other issues that might occur from persistent, rapid heart rates, although such severe complications are rare for typical SVT. The absence of recurring symptoms and reduced potential for complications allow individuals to live a life comparable to those without the condition. While ablation does not inherently extend life beyond what is typical for the general population, it removes a factor that could negatively impact a person’s lifespan if left untreated or if symptoms were severe.
Factors Influencing Outcomes
Several variables can influence the success of a cardiac ablation procedure and a patient’s long-term outlook. The specific type of supraventricular tachycardia plays a role, as different forms have varying success rates. For instance, atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and atrioventricular reentrant tachycardias (AVRT) often have very high long-term success rates, sometimes exceeding 90% to 98%. Atrial tachycardia and atrial flutter may have slightly lower, though still significant, success rates.
A patient’s overall heart health and any pre-existing structural heart disease also affect outcomes. Individuals with otherwise healthy hearts generally experience better results. Other health conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension, can influence the procedure’s success and recovery. The skill and experience of the electrophysiologist performing the ablation are also important, as higher volume centers may have better outcomes. Factors like the location of the abnormal pathway within the heart can also influence recurrence rates.
Life After Ablation
Following cardiac ablation for SVT, patients typically enter a recovery period that varies but often involves a few days to a week for initial healing. Immediately after the procedure, bed rest is usually required for several hours, with instructions to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for at least one to two weeks. Some individuals may experience fatigue, mild chest discomfort, or even temporary irregular heartbeats during the initial weeks as the heart tissue heals. This “blanking period” is normal and does not necessarily indicate procedure failure.
Regular follow-up appointments with a cardiologist are important to monitor heart rhythm and overall health. While most patients achieve complete resolution of SVT symptoms, a small percentage may experience recurrence. Recurrence rates are generally low. If recurrence happens, the procedure can often be repeated, frequently with successful outcomes. Beyond immediate recovery, SVT ablation typically does not impose significant long-term lifestyle restrictions beyond general healthy living, such as maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding stimulants like excessive caffeine or alcohol.