In persistent AF and cardioversion appointment in a few weeks time.

[RoyM]

I have been in persistent AF since April. Luckily, I have no symptoms at all. HR between 65 and 80 depending on activity and quite normal BP as the time gets nearer I and beginning to question the wisdom of having the cardioversion at all. Starting to wonder if this procedure will upset the apple cart....I am due at the Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital on the 29th November. I am obviously on Apixiban and also take Bisoprolol 1.25 twice daily. I wonder should I let sleeping digs lie.

[Goldfish_]

Doesn't sound too bad, but if you can get out of af, you should feel better and have a better future prognosis. Nothing to lose really

[RoyM in reply to Goldfish_]

Thank you. Roy

[Hidden]

Hi, the longer you are in AF the harder it is to revert. If you develop symptoms or your heart rate increases you might find it to harder to solve. However, I completely get your concern. AF is very unpredictable and different for everyone. My experience is symptoms have increased as time as gone on but maybe that's because I am more aware of them now. Good luck.

[jeanjeannie50]

I'm sure you will have a pred med before your cardioversion. They will do an ECG then and see whether it's necessary. Your pulse rate sounds perfectly normal to me, but I guess it's because of the abnormal rhythm that the cardioversion is booked. Does your pulse feel out of rhythm when you take it?

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

A cardioversion will show if you can be put back into normal sinus rhythm and if you feel better for it. That alone can direct future treatment plans. If it were me I would have it as AF is almost always progressive. Being asymptomatic does not mean that that it doesn't affect you.

[RoyM]

Yes Jean my pulse rate is pretty normal but I can feel a slight irregularity when I feel my pulse at my wrist.

[RoyM]

I do worry about dilated heart chambers if I was to remain in AF. I do feel its at least worth trying the cardio version and see what happens.

[PeterWh in reply to RoyM]

Definitely go for it. You have nothing to loose.

[azriverrat]

AF is known to be progressive. Plus even if you do not feel it there is slow damage being done to the heart since it is not pumping efficiently.

Try the cardioversion. They have fairly low risk and usually a nothing procedure for the patient.

[excalibur]

you didn't say whether you do any exercise. In my experience it was more comfortable whilst in NSR as the AF seemed to affect my breathing whilst exercising. I've had 5 or 6 cardioversions and was always more comfortable in NSR. Hopefully yours will stick for a while without needing Amiodarone

lance

[RoyM in reply to excalibur]

Hi Excalibur. Yes I do exercise...I ride, swim, and chase my three year old granddaughter....anyone with young grandchildren will know that is exercise lol. I am lucky that I don't have any symptoms........yet. Cheers Roy

[Omniscient1]

If you have the chance to have any intervention take it as after a while they'll judge that its too late to help. There's a video on the BHF site about a cardioversion - you might find t helpful...

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

Good luck,

Gary

[RoyM]

Thanks everyone for taking the trouble to reply. Roy