Hiking Trails After AFib Treatment
Michael Ulicky has trekked over ninety-nine switchbacks with hikers from Taiwan and Germany, India and Bulgaria to crest the Whitney Summit for its jaw-dropping, majestic view. He has taken on the Skyline trail in Palm Springs 64 times, and felt like he was in an Indiana Jones movies while straddling narrow, slotted walls on a Middle Loop hike.
But the exuberance he feels over cyroablation and Watchman™ procedures to correct an irregular beating heart in 2024 tops all.
“I feel great,” the 78-year-old says. “I feel more relaxed. My resting heart rate - once in the upper 90s and shooting up to 115 to 120, is in the upper 70s to low 80s. On a steep hike, the highest reading I get on my pulse oximeter is 97, 98.”
Pleased with the results of both procedures, Michael spends time between hikes spreading the word about atrial fibrillation (AFib) risks and treatments to the community, especially active and athletic Baby Boomers. AFib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat. Left overtime, AFib can worsen and cause heart attack or stroke.
“As us Baby Boomers get older, the risk increases dramatically.”
Long proactive about his health, he began noticing sporadic and occasional heart rhythm changes in his as he relaxed at home. Out of nowhere, his pulse beat would shoot up to 120 and back, racing for an hour.
A turning point came in 2020 when Michael signed up for a skin cancer clinical trial requiring an EKG. As the electrodes emitted readings, a technician said, “Mike, I hate to tell you this: You need to go to the hospital. You need to go now. Your heart is under AFib.”
His treating cardiologist at that time prescribed a blood thinner to regulate the heart. Michael had good results until November 2023 when he was hospitalized to treat blood clotting and excessive bleeding in his bladder. Taken off the blood thinner, Michael was advised to see an electrophysiologist.
In a consultation with Electrophysicist Hetal Bhakta, MD, Michael recalls being told, “Let’s see if we can fix your AFib.”
On Aug. 13, 2024, Michael underwent cyroablation, a minimally invasive procedure in which the electrophysicist uses a thin flexible tube – balloon catheter – to locate and freeze the tissue causing arrhythmia “My heart went into normal rhythm right away. I had no pain. I just felt good – so good, I went out on a 4-mile hike four days later.”
Michael returned for the Watchman™ procedure on Sept. 25, 2024, one he views as a “second line of defense” for an irregular heart. The Watchman™ is a small, parachute-shaped device about the size of a quarter that prevents blood clots from forming in the left atrial appendage, a small pouch in the heart.
“When I went in for the Watchman™ procedure, it was like going home. I knew everybody there; everybody was so nice,” he says. “When I woke up, I felt like I had a nice snooze. I went home the same day.”
Five days later, Michael laced up his hiking boots again. He continues to log 4- to 8-mile hikes on trails with moderate elevations.
“At 78, extreme exercise isn’t for me any longer. Spreading the word about these procedures is,” he attests. “You got’ta be proactive. Heart arrhythmia problems are easier to correct earlier, rather than later – It’s just as important as staying active is.”
Content Relating to Testimonial: "This testimonial reflects the experience and outcome of this patient. Actual results will vary."
