Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is catheter ablation? —
This is a procedure to treat certain conditions that cause the heart to beat too fast. Types of ablation include "radiofrequency catheter ablation," "cryothermal ablation," and "pulsed field ablation."
A problem with the heart's electrical system can cause the heart to beat too fast. The doctor might have done an "electrophysiology," or "EP," study to figure out where the fast heartbeats are coming from (figure 1). This involves inserting a thin wire called an EP catheter into a blood vessel, then moving it through the blood vessels to the heart to study electrical signals. The doctor can use the EP catheter to do the ablation.
Catheter ablation destroys the part of the heart that is creating or spreading abnormal electrical signals. After the procedure, the heart can beat normally again.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Take all your medicines as instructed.
●Make sure you know how to care for your incision (the cut made during surgery). Your doctor or nurse will tell you:
•When and how to change the bandage
•When you can take a shower or bath
•When to go get your stitches or staples removed, if needed
●Always wash your hands before and after touching your incision or bandage.
●Lie down if your incision starts to bleed. Put pressure on the area until bleeding stops.
●Follow your doctor's instructions about lifting heavy objects. The doctor or nurse will also tell you when you can go back to your normal activities, including driving, work, exercise, and sex.
What follow-up care do I need? —
Your doctor will probably want to see you about a week after ablation. At this appointment, they will discuss your results and what to do next.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you think you might be having a heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms of a heart attack might include:
●Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort with:
•Trouble breathing, sweating, upset stomach, or cold and clammy skin
•Pain in your arms, back, or jaw
•Worse pain with activity like walking up stairs
●Fast or irregular heartbeat
●Feeling dizzy, faint, or weak
Symptoms of a stroke might include:
●Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on 1 side of the body
●Confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding
●Trouble seeing in 1 or both eyes
●Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
●Severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor for advice if:
●The area where the tube went in bleeds a lot.
●You have pain, numbness or tingling, or swelling (a lump) near where the tube went in.
●You have signs of an allergic reaction, like itching, wheezing, or feeling like your tongue or throat is swelling.
●You have signs of infection, like fever or redness or pus where the tube went in.
●Your leg or hand is weak or numb.
●You have a fast or irregular heartbeat again.
●You have any new or worrying symptoms.
Patient education: Catheter ablation for the heart (The Basics)
Patient education: Cardiac catheterization (The Basics)
Patient education: Atrial fibrillation (The Basics)
Patient education: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Pacemakers (The Basics)
Patient education: Catheter ablation for abnormal heartbeats (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Atrial fibrillation (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Pacemakers (Beyond the Basics)
