Scared about my cardioversion

[Sierra18]

Hi, I'm Sierra. I am having an electrical cardioversion on Wednesday and I am very nervous about the procedure. Also I was wondering if they give you oxygen during the procedure and how many times do they shock you? I was also wondering if people have died from this procedure? Thank you all in advanced for your help.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Sierra

Anything you do for the first time is scary, but I can assure you that this is a very easy procedure and many of the people on the forum will have had several cardioversions (CVs) Let me talk you through it so you know.

It's usually day surgery, you are admitted on the ward in the morning and they take your usual blood pressure etc and also put a canula in your arm, they usually ask you not to eat and drink prior to the procedure.

Sometime in the day you are wheeled down to the operating theatre ante-room, where they put two pads on your, either both on your chest or one on the chest and one on the back, and these are connected to the machines (computer). They then knock you out with some anaesthetic, almost instant takes less than 2 or 3 seconds. Next thing you will know is waking up when they have finished about 2 or 3 minutes later. And at most you will be a little sore on the pad sites but not everyone gets this, and they give you some cream to takes away any soreness very quickly. It's then back to the ward usually for a snack and a cup tea/coffee and discharged maybe an hour later. I promise you it's very undramatic and actually rather boring to be honest.

What happens while you are under is that the machine will shock your heart in time with your heartbeat to try and put you back into normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and they usually start with a smaller voltage and build up if that doesn't work, sometimes doing it 3 times. But you will know nothing about it you will be fully under.

In terms of risk, I remember my first one and as I was wheeled into the theatre ante-room I said to the staff "what's the worst that can happen" One said, "well you could have a heart attack, but can you think of a better place to have one that the ante-room of an operating theatre of a major heart hospital?" She was so right, and of course I did not have a heart attack. No procedure in hospital is risk free, but CVs are very very safe and very low risk.

(Oh and no oxygen usually, although on my first one I was given happy gas rather than the second time being given a shot in the arm to knock me out.

Come back afterwards and tell us how easy it was.

Be well

Ian

[Drounding in reply to Beancounter]

I had a CV in A&E and it was completely fine, no pain, no discomfort, only the great feeling of being back on nsr afterwards.

It's a very safe and common procedure so don't worry yourself about it.

As Ian says, come back and tell us how it went.

[Mazza23 in reply to Drounding]

Don't worry sure you will be fine CVs are my only option as I can't take the drugs I was scared when I had my first one but they no problem over before you know it xx

[kakapo in reply to Drounding]

I have had several. The only time anything went wrong was the time I went back into normal sinus rhythm about one second before they were due to anaesthetise me.

The first time I had a cardioversion I was pretty nervous and I remember lying on the bed wondering when they were going to get on with it. The next moment they were packing everything up and I was just wondering why they were going to go through with it when I looked at the monitor and saw I was back in normal sinus rhythm. That's how traumatic it is, I hadn't even noticed. It's just like a two-minute Nanna nap.

[Sierra18 in reply to Beancounter]

Thank you and I will let you all know how it goes!

[pleesk in reply to Beancounter]

Hi Ian,

Your narration is most assuring and pacifying. At least I know now that CVs are actually not that dreadful and intimidating.

Thank you.

Philip

[Sierra18 in reply to pleesk]

Hi pleesk, When are you having your Cardioversion?

Sierra

[higgy52 in reply to Beancounter]

Its a doddle, didnt work for more than a hour, but i actulley enjoyed it half day out, cup tea and sandwiches.

[Boutsi13]

Hi Sierra had my first cv last Wednesday all I can say is this I was scared but the doctors and nurses made me feel very comfortable. Remember walking into theatre going into Af they told me I'm going to feel like I had 2 glasses of wine then they put the mask on so I counted from 100 backwards andvgot to 95. Then u woke up in recovery, from then the only thing that I was sore was my throat from the tube apart from that everything back to normal. Look forward to it and be positive this will get you back to normal. Good luck best wishes.

[Lorna058]

I have had this done twice, on each occasion it was repeated. I was given oxygen both before the procedure and after, so that I was well oxygenated. I too was scared but it was really fine, nothing at all to fear, these people have done this so often, they know their onions! Good luck x

[spatchcock]

I wouldn't worry about it for a moment. Like you, I was a little scared when I first had it done, but there's absolutely nothing to worry about. You'll be admitted as a day patient and be nil by mouth before it's done, and you'll be taken down for the procedure, given an anaesthetic and the next you'll know is waking up feeling miles better. It's safe as houses and painless, with the possible exception of a sting when they remove the pads.

Were anything to go wrong, which it won't, you're in the care of a cardiologist in an operating theatre. Where could you be better treated?

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes as Ian said any new experience is scary but having had many over the years I can assure you it is actually something to look forward to as you end up in NSR more often than not. The white creamy happy juice the put into the canula knocks you out cold in less then three seconds (I know I try to count up to ten but never get there). They actually DO sometimes put a mask on you with oxygen just to help you along but this comes off soon after you wake up a few minutes later.

After-sun cream works well if you do get slight sunburn where the pads went. Most people revert after one bang but up to three can be given externally in this way. The shock is measure in joules not volts by the way being a measure of power and a combination of voltage and amperage.

Make sure that you don't eat or drink anything after midnight the day before and clear drinks only (water) till 6 am. That is the worst part to be honest as my last one didn't happen till 4 pm (no slot in the anteroom) by which time my left arm was looking decidedly tasty! ha ha

Enjoy.

Bob

[Chris1957]

Hi Sierra. I had a cardio version four weeks ago, and was anxious prior to the procedure. It turned out that I was worrying over nothing.

I guess the approach changes from place to place (I went to Milton Keynes). I arrived at 08:00, was taken through to a small ward (6 beds) where I changed into a gown. The nurse checked details, took vitals and a "before" ecg; the anaesthetist came and explained what she'd be doing; and a doctor came and explained the risks and had the release signed.

The procedure itself was a bit of a non event. I walked to a small theatre where I was put to sleep. The next thing I knew, about 15 mins later, was being woken up on the ward. I was then monitored for about 2 hours and an "after" ecg taken.

I would go through this again, with no worries. It was very simple.

There is a good section on the British heart foundation website where you can watch the whole thing from end to end. I found this really helpful.

Best of luck.

Chris

[Annaelizabeth]

The very best advice is to read Bob and Beancounters post - then read it again - all will be well.

[Hidden]

I had a couple of cardioversions last year and they were routine procedures for the medics which made me feel much more relaxed. The first one didn't make me feel much better but the second one (a few months later) did the trick and I felt much less fatigued - I suppose it's all down to the individual. Honestly, I wouldn't worry at all about your cardioversion - you'll be fine! - and no doubt you will find Ian and Bob's replies reassuring.

[Omniscient1]

HI, I've never had one help so cant share my own experience BUT there is a video on the British Heart Foundation site showing a chap having one, worth a look...

I found it..

bhf.org.uk/heart-health/tre...

All the best, Gary

[robboian]

Sierra

I have had three cardioversions and all I can say is that they have been uneventful. In each case I have been sedated and don't have any recall of the shock process. I've woken up soon after without side effects. In my experience I'd say don't worry. If it gets you back in sinus rhythm it will be worth it.

robboian

[ILowe]

The biggest real risk is that of a clot developing later. That is why they like to delay the procedure until your anticoagulation is stable. The risk lasts a month or so afterwards. The best antidote is an INR as high as you dare. My cardiologist leaves anticoagulation entirely in my hands and was delighted when I told him mine was 4.2.

The only practical problem I had was that they overdid the anaesthetic. I should have warmed them that I am thin, and respond like a teenager to anaesthetics, and I have a high pain threshold for things like this. I do DIY and sometimes clout myself with a hammer, accidentally of course. The CV is no worse than that even if not sedated.

Then, they insisted on putting an oxygen feed in my nostrils which had to be kept there for over an hour afterwards. I NEVER breathe through my nose, so all this did was create a sore cold patch that lasted over a week. Very difficult to argue back at that point. When I asked around, seems that there has been little/no research on cold noses leading to rhinitis etc due to pointless oxygen feeds. Sometimes precautionary methods are the worst part. At least it was trivial and kept my mind off the serious.

[Offcut]

I have had 7 with no ill affects. First one, I had a little sore spot on the chest, that e45 sorted out.

Be Well

[zara1977]

I have had too many to count and no problems at all. The only thing I would do is write down anything you need to remember as I found I had forgotten some things I needed to do after the cv for work/home etc. It might be an age thing but now I find it helpful just to have a few notes to prompt me to pick up from where I left off prior to cv.

[constabule]

A quick post to add my comments of comfort.

HAd my first cardio version a couiple of months back and yup nervous, who would not be , hated the idea of being nkcked out . but honest its nothing to worry about . The worst for me was that the oxygen mask reminded me of the smel rubber mask that was put over my face when I had a gas to have a tooth out way back in .. well a long time ago.

You will feel so much better afterwards, but take it steady for a day.

[teri54]

Hi Sierra I had my cardioversion done in 2013 they use light aneasthetic you sleep through the short prrocedure I was told that they only shock you x3 if needed I was reverted on the first one when I asked later. The procedure took less than 30 mins and when I got back I had a drink and sandwich, there were 4 patients before me I found it reasuring to see how well they felt. They warn you that you will have some soreness over the site that they shock you but that only lasts about 2 days.The only other side effect was I felt tired went to bed early had a great nights sleep .Hope this helps and I wish you well.

[Steve2810]

Lol dont worry thats easy all you will remember is falling asleep the only scary part is the neadle and then you wake up feeling better than you did, ive had two, a walk in the park, honest, i was up a ladder after the op thats how much better i felt, not advisable though i was silly doing that,

[Sierra18]

Thank you all, again! All the reassuring comments make me feel way better and not as scared. I'm actually more exited than nervous now lol!

[Trevor3839]

I have had 2 now.. and I can honestly say i would not worry in the slightest at having it done again...slight prick in the back of your hand and thats it... most painful part is ripping the sticky plaster off.... its natural to be scared, I was the first time, but you will be fine..... 100 times better than the dentist ...

[Mazza23]

Went to ER this morn at9am. They cardioverted me at 11 am home by 1 pm had the most wonderful doc this was my 3rd cv but he explained things beautifully he said they aimtoconvert you with the first shock if not theywilltry twice more then they have to go to plan B whatever that is they did give me oxygen and fluid hope you have a great Christmas x

[gemini52]

Hi! I wrote a post almost identical to yours 10 months ago and got pretty much the same responses. Belive me when I say it is nothing to worry about- be reassured by the advice on here. I was worried sick but I never felt a thing and was in NSR after first zap!. I would do it again tomorrow if necessary. Good luck. Patricia.

[Sierra18]

So I got home a little bit ago from my first cardioversion. You all were right it was not scary at all. I asked the doctor after the procedure how many shocks they gave me and they said I received 3 shocks until I was back into NSR. They, like some said, gave me oxygen. Anyways I am very tired now and I'm going to go get some rest. Thanks all who reassured me about the procedure. Merry Christmas!

[Tommyann]

I was the same Sierra but yes you get oxygen and everything was fine no need to worry x