Why do some people occasionally experience chest tightness and shortness of breath after radiofrequency ablation, and what should be done?
Jul 19, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xiao Ning
Introduction
In general, occasional chest tightness and shortness of breath after radiofrequency ablation may be caused by insufficient cardiac compensation during the recovery period,精神紧张致神经紊乱 (neural dysfunction due to mental stress), local mild inflammation, recurrence of transient arrhythmia, thrombosis, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then improve symptoms under a doctor's guidance through general treatment, medication, surgical treatment, or other appropriate methods.
Generally, occasional chest tightness and shortness of breath after radiofrequency ablation may be caused by insufficient cardiac compensation during the recovery phase, mental tension-induced nerve dysfunction, local mild inflammation, transient recurrence of arrhythmia, thrombosis, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and improve the condition through general treatment, medication, surgical treatment, or other methods under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Insufficient cardiac compensation during recovery: Cardiac function has not fully recovered after surgery, leading to chest tightness and shortness of breath during mild physical activity, which improves with rest. Begin with mild exercises such as walking, gradually increase physical activity, ensure adequate sleep, and reduce the burden on the heart.
2. Mental tension-induced nerve dysfunction: Excessive concern about recovery can trigger autonomic nerve dysfunction, accompanied by palpitations and sweating, which improves with emotional relaxation. Alleviate tension through listening to music, deep breathing, and, if necessary, seek psychological counseling to avoid exacerbating symptoms due to anxiety.
3. Localized mild inflammation: Mild inflammation at the surgical site may irritate surrounding tissues, affecting myocardial relaxation, accompanied by mild chest pain. Avoid excessive physical activity, follow medical advice to use medications such as aspirin enteric-coated tablets, ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, and diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets to reduce inflammation, and schedule regular follow-up visits.
4. Transient recurrence of arrhythmia: Postoperative instability in myocardial electrical activity may cause occasional premature beats, accompanied by irregular heartbeat, which may resolve spontaneously. Record episodes, avoid stimulatory beverages, and follow medical advice to use medications such as metoprolol tartrate tablets, bisoprolol fumarate tablets, and propafenone tablets to stabilize heart rhythm.
5. Thrombosis: Small blood clots may form due to prolonged bed rest or abnormal coagulation, blocking blood vessels, and may be accompanied by chest pain in severe cases. Engage in appropriate lower limb activity early on, follow medical advice to use anticoagulant medications such as warfarin sodium tablets, rivaroxaban tablets, and dabigatran etexilate capsules to prevent thrombosis, and consider percutaneous catheter thrombectomy for severe cases.
Regularly undergo follow-up tests such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography, maintain a light and low-salt diet, quit smoking, and limit alcohol consumption. Keep a regular daily routine, avoid overexertion, adjust activity levels according to recovery status, and gradually return to normal life.
