Shocks at termination of AF attack.

[Terjo]

Before I had my pacemaker fitted, at the end of an AF attack I would get a strong electrical shock which I came to dread. I've had AF for over ten years or more but it was only over the last year that this occurred. Has anyone else experienced this.

Now I have the pacemaker I don't notice my heart so much and seem to be in sinus rhythm most of the time although I'm classified as persistent AF. I hate taking all the medicines but I am feeling so much better than I was ten months ago.

Keep well and keep going ! Terry

[Rellim296]

Not familiar with your shock! I tend to start off in AF and it gradually gets less erratic and I don't really feel it go back to NSR. Years ago when I had a racing heartbeat I would notice it return to normal.

It's really nice to hear you are doing so much better Terjo. A pacemaker seems to make a big difference and certainly seems to improve quality of life for most people.

[Terjo in reply to Rellim296]

Thank you

[farmerwalt]

Hi Terry,

Never experienced any shocks when I was reverting to NSR, but that was a long time ago. The only time I got shocks was when I inadvertently touch live equipment I was working on. I have been persistent AF for many years and have been fairly asymptomatic.

I now have a pacemaker as well, as of 9 weeks ago. The pacemaker won't stop the AF. It only controls your ventricular rate, i.e. the heartrate or pulse that you feel at your wrist etc. That is why you are in "sinus rythmn", the pacemaker is doing that.

Hope you keep well and your PM continues to do it's job.

Walter.

[Mike11]

This is a pure guess but I suspect you might have been getting two massive ectopic beats which was your hearts way of getting itself back into rhythm. I've had a few of these over the years and it suprised me so much the first time I called 999. A&E doctor seemed to diagnose it quickly so it seems quite common.

[Terjo in reply to Mike11]

It always seemed to happen after a long pause when you think your heart has stopped ! Glad I don't get that now as it really frightened me. Nice to hear from someone who is in the same place that I am now. Have you had an ablation ? I've had two cardio versions but when I enquired about an ablation years ago the EP suggested trying a cardio first it lasted for nearly three years. The second one was done this year when I was still recovering from the reaction to amioderon and did not work. Keep well. Terry

[Mike11 in reply to Terjo]

I originally had a heart attack which led to a quad bypass but after a few years I had AF onset which was fixed (touch wood) totally by a cyro-ablation. However despite staying very fit I still get occasional bouts of breathlessness which is still under investigation.

I also had bad reactions to amiodarone and bisoprolol, but after seemingly trying them all found some that worked well on me.

[Terjo in reply to Mike11]

They've found that digoxin seems to work on me I also have to take bisoprolol, sodium, vitamin d and aspirin and warfarin plus water tablets. Wish I could stop the meds but they did save my life when I was unconscious and on a digoxin drip so I suppose I must listen to the doctors, hate to be dependent. Thank you for your reply. Keep well. Terry