Where was I? Atrial fibrillation started in June 2022 until I had cardioversion to shock my heart back into normal rhythm in November 2022. This was successful. Three months later I had a catheter ablation procedure which requires a line to be inserted into a vein or artery, in my case, in the groin, and manipulated until it reaches the heart. Cells responsible for the electrical misfiring are then destroyed and hopefully normal sinus rhythm returns. This was also successful and should be a more permanent solution to stopping a return of atrial fibrillation.
These procedures were straightforward and painless . My anxieties were on the high side these but, on the day,I felt much more relaxed and reassured. I’m very lucky to have Addenbrookes and the Royal Papworth hospitals on my doorstep.
With regard to running, it’s now much less effort compared to when I had AF. Previously I was doing up to 35k a week. now it’s more like 15-20k. I’m still wary of pushing myself and my Garmin is very useful in checking my heart rate. All in all I’m happy to be back running without problems.
The icing on the cake is that parkrun has returned to Milton Country park, formerly known as Cambridge parkrun, three weeks ago, following a three year pause. What a joy to meet up with old running friends. Everyone was visibly happy to be back and there was great atmosphere. Lots of people put a huge effort into organising its return to Milton Country park and I’m very grateful. Exactly why it stopped and how it came back remains a mystery to most people.
Tomorrow, May 6th, is showbiz time. King Charles 111 will have his Coronation and the nation will lose its collective marbles.The unthinking, manipulated masses will marinate themselves in fawning adulation and obsequiousness and the rich and powerful will fall over themselves to demonstrate new levels of sycophancy. This is a hideous spectacle I can’t miss. I’ll be watching on TV, shaking my head, tut tutting and struggling to take in the enormity and wrongfulness of the event. It is a supreme example of privilege, wealth, power and class. For all his laudable charity work and supposed outspokeness on specific matters, you’ll not see Charles doing shifts at a Food Bank or urging the return of the Sure Start Children’s Centres or decrying the cost of living in any meaningful way. He’s a relatively safe pair of hands who can deliver gravitas to speeches convincingly, receive respect and admiration, appear very rich but “hard working and devoted to duty,” and can maintain the whole edifice of a royal fantasy. It’s showbiz and celebrity culture aided and abetted by public money.
God save the King. God save us All
Alive and Running 
Hi Steve, you might remember me from Milton park runs way back and from Thursday night C&C training sessions. I’m glad you have returned to running and your procedures were successful.
I have been reading your blog with interest because I also have been diagnosed with AF, although it sounds like mine is very different to yours. I’ve just had 2 episodes, in December and Feb this year. Both were a few hours long, and went away as suddenly as they came on, and it hasn’t happened since, although I do feel occasional heart flutterings and mild shortness of breath. Anyway I’m still active with tennis and gym, but more gently than before. I’d like to do some running but I’m scared it will provoke the AF. I’m just trying to control it by giving up caffeine and alcohol and eating better. The cardiologist in Addenbrookes strongly recommended catheter ablation, but for now I prefer to wait and see what happens. I’d consider it if the AF comes back (he said it will).
Anyway good luck with the running and I hope you continue to stay fit and well.
Hi Dominic, of course I remember you. I still occasionally look for your name on Wimpole parkrun. Where are you now?
I’m sorry to hear you’ve experienced AF as well. It’s a bit disquieting, isn’t it. But it is surprisingly common and also manageable. I can understand that you are wary of ablation. Consultants love to promote their specialities and it’s not unusual for the poor patient to feel do I really need this. Personally, I think your approach makes sense. You’ve given up alcohol and caffeine and looked at your diet. It may never return. It has already righted itself on two occasions.
If you do opt for ablation in the future, in my experience, it’s straight forward day procedure, usually done at Papworth. I was very happy with my treatment.
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