Pat Vellner shared in his Instagram stories this morning that he is in the hospital for a heart ablation procedure. In one of the stories, Vellner adds, “I’m getting a heart ablation. I’m ok. Don’t panic.”
Any type of procedure for the heart seems like a big deal, especially for one of the fittest men in the world. Although I’m not a doctor.
Heart ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat irregular heartbeats, also known as arrhythmias. It is considered generally safe and effective and carries a low risk for serious complications.
During the procedure it uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars that block faulty heart signals and restore the heartbeat. Typically this is done via catheter inserted through a blood vessel.
Most patients recover within a few days to a week.
