Seeking treatment abroad for atrial fibrillation

When symptoms started shaping her days

Judith first began experiencing symptoms of atrial fibrillation in 2021, when she started having episodes of a rapidly beating, irregular heartbeat that sometimes made her feel dizzy and short of breath. The episodes were irregular and often brief, making it difficult to understand the cause of these symptoms, and the unpredictability had a significant impact on her active lifestyle.

Because the episodes were so sporadic and often short-lived, diagnosing the condition proved challenging. Even while wearing a Holter monitor that was recommended by her doctor - a portable device used to record the heart's rhythm - or attending hospital for assessment, the irregular heartbeat was difficult to capture.

“I didn’t really know what it was,” she says. “My doctor suspected atrial fibrillation, but we couldn’t catch it.”

It wasn’t until Judith used her smartwatch to capture irregular heart rhythm in real time during an episode, that she was able to provide her clinical team the information they needed to make a diagnosis.

She was referred to a specialist atrial fibrillation clinic in Canada, but the waiting time for the recommended treatment of cardiac ablation was two years. Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure in which electrical pulses (pulsed-field ablation), previously cold or heat energy, are used to create tiny scars in the heart, blocking the abnormal heartbeats that cause irregular heart rhythms in AF.

With her episodes becoming more frequent and the risk of progressing to persistent atrial fibrillation increasing, Judith knew she couldn’t wait.

Exploring options beyond the usual path

As someone living in Canada, Judith tried to pursue treatment through clinics in the United States, but the process quickly became long and complicated. 

“You didn’t actually get to meet the cardiologist until you went through a huge process,” she says. “Being able to speak with the cardiologist early on was important to me, especially knowing that I was going to be travelling for my treatment.”

London felt different. She knew the city, trusted its medical reputation, and felt comfortable travelling there. A simple web search led her to Dr Oliver Segal, leading Cardiology Consultant at The Harley Street Clinic.

She read testimonials, reviewed his publications, and booked a consultation.

“The process with HCA UK was very straightforward,” she says. “I could meet with him, discuss my case, and get clear answers. It made the decision easy.”

A consultation that eased her fears

Judith describes her first meeting with Dr Segal as the moment her anxiety lifted.

“He came across as very compassionate. I was nervous - I haven’t had much surgery in my life, but he answered every question. He got back to me quickly by email. I felt reassured that he knew what he was doing and cared about doing it well.”

Despite her nerves, she travelled to London alone.

“I didn’t tell anyone except my family. I didn’t want questions. I basically pretended it wasn’t happening until I was in the surgery.”

Feeling supported from the moment she arrived

Judith expected to feel vulnerable walking into a hospital in another country. Instead, she felt immediately reassured walking into The Harley Street Clinic. 

“It was lovely,” she says. “The staff were very caring and kind. I was very well cared for. I didn’t feel concerned at all. The room was lovely. I can only wish all hospitals were like that.”

Dr Oliver Segal, Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at The Harley Street Clinic, explains:

“With increasingly frequent episodes of atrial fibrillation, Judith was a good candidate for cardiac ablation. However, with long waiting times in Canada for this procedure, there was the risk the condition became persistent, which could make ablation less successful. Because she was travelling on her own, it was really important to ensure she felt supported throughout the process, taking the time to answer all her questions. The procedure itself went very smoothly, and Judith recovered well. I used the most advanced 3D mapping and ablation system available currently, called Medtronic Affera, to offer Judith the best possible outcome. The Harley Street Clinic was the first private hospital in the UK to adopt Affera, so we have the most experience with it, and zero complications in over a year. The Affera system was used to achieve pulmonary vein isolation in Judith’s case, using pulsed-field ablation (PFA) energy, and she was able to fly home 5 days later. Most importantly, follow-up monitoring, which our care team helped facilitate with her clinic back in Canada, has shown perfect results and I’m delighted with how well she has done and that she has already returned to her active lifestyle.”

Returning home with renewed confidence

After a brief stay in the hospital, Judith travelled back to Canada to continue with her aftercare – which she said was a smooth transition.  The specialist atrial fibrillation clinic near her hometown integrated all of Dr Segal’s documentation into her chart and agreed to manage her ongoing monitoring.

“I’ve heard stories of people being refused aftercare when they have surgery abroad. I had no issue whatsoever, Dr Segal made sure that everything was clearly documented and shared with my team back home, so my follow-up care was seamless.”

Great Bear Rainforest adventure

Just a month after her surgery, Judith faced an extraordinary personal challenge: an eight-day remote kayaking expedition in the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, Canada. The adventure required her to carry heavy gear, haul loaded kayaks ashore, and set up camp on isolated beaches and she wasn’t sure if she was strong enough to go. 

“It was already paid for, and it was something I had been looking forward to doing, but I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make it.”

But day by day, her strength returned and with approval from the care team, she set out and completed the entire expedition without difficulty – just four weeks after her procedure.

“I had no problems at all. It was great. One of the most physically demanding things I’ve done in a long time, and to be doing it a month after the procedure, is really reassuring.”

The trip became a quiet confirmation of what her recovery had made possible, a milestone she reflected on with a gratitude note to her care team: “Dear Dr. Segal and Dr. Schroeder: I am writing to give a very big thank you to you and your team for your care and treatment of my heart arrhythmia in May. While the thought of the procedure left my knees knocking, I felt in very competent and compassionate hands during my stay at the Clinic. Four weeks later I left on an 8 day ocean kayaking trip feeling great. I know it is too soon to say the procedure was a success but I have not had any episodes to date. The signs are hopeful. Thank you so much for helping me enjoy my life again. The work you do is quite simply miraculous.”