“I had no idea that my increased fatigue was something more serious.”

Ken S., Active retiree

After three cardioversions offered only temporary relief for his AFib symptoms, Ken sought an alternative treatment for his irregular heartbeat. Since undergoing catheter ablation, he has not experienced any heartbeat irregularities and is back to mountain trekking, with seven trips scheduled within the next year. “I am feeling great and have gained all my energy back.”

A retired executive running for political office, Ken thought his elevated fatigue was normal. He was diagnosed with AFib and sought an alternative treatment for his AFib after three cardioversions offered only temporary relief.

At the age of 66, most of us are settling down into retirement and learning how to relax. That was not the case for Ken. Three years ago, Ken was preparing for a rigorous mountain trekking trip across Alaska when his trainer took his heart rate and identified an irregularity with his heartbeat.

Initially Ken didn’t really understand what this meant, however he quickly learned from a cardiologist that he had been overlooking symptoms of atrial fibrillation (AFib).

At the time, Ken, a retired insurance executive from North Richmond Hills, was running for State Legislature in Texas and was very physically active, so he thought his increased tiredness was just a result of his busy schedule.

Ken is not alone. More than 3 million Americans are living with AFib and as a result have an increased risk of stroke and their quality of life is adversely affected.

Upon his diagnosis, Ken underwent three cardioversion procedures that aimed to restore his irregular heartbeat to a normal rhythm through electrodes placed on his chest. While the procedures offered temporary relief, his AFib symptoms, including elevated fatigue and heartbeat irregularities, returned each time and left Ken frustrated and without a lasting solution.

Ken then met with Dr. Trieu Ho, who recommended a minimally invasive procedure called catheter ablation with the THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH^® Catheter to provide a longer term solution to his Afib symptoms.

Ken, his wife and Dr. Ho were all thrilled with the results. Since his procedure, he has not experienced any heartbeat irregularities and is back to mountain trekking with seven trips scheduled within the next year.

“I am feeling great and have gained all my energy back. After three cardioversions that didn’t offer a long term solution to my irregular heartbeat, I am very grateful Dr. Ho recommended catheter ablation.”