Recently had cardioversion

[Charles1967]

Had cardio vert on 26th march in man hester back in sinus rhythm...hopefully for good any tips on staying in nsr...or is it just potluck?

[Hidden]

Largely potluck Charles but there are a lot of things you can do that would help you to stay in NSR. Avoid any known triggers particlarly alcohol, caffeine and chocolate and take it easy for at least a week. Eat healthily and if necessary, get your BMI down to acceptable levels. I don’t want to be a Job’s comforter, but CV’s often do not last for long periods but the fact that it has worked is a good indicator to the medics that you may be a suitable candidate for a successful ablation. Good luck......

[Charles1967 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the info flapjack...a matter of playing it by ear and hoping for the best...regards

[Charles1967 in reply to Hidden]

To follow up had cardioversion ten days ago and after three attempts got back into nsr...last night felt heartbeat race a little and now i am back in afib again only normal rhythm lasted a week or so...just feel so disappointed as i felt better when in normal heartbeat..im new to this condition...about six months since i found out...any tips on how to lift my mood and should i go and see my gp asap??

[BobD Volunteer]

I am sure they will have told you cardioversion is not a cure for AF but the very good news is that it put you into NSR. This is useful to know as it can signpost future treatment plans such as ablation. How long is a peace of string?

[Charles1967 in reply to BobD]

To follow up had cardioversion ten days ago and after three attempts got back into nsr...last night felt heartbeat race a little and now i am back in afib again only normal rhythm lasted a week or so...just feel so disappointed as i felt better when in normal heartbeat..im new to this condition...about six months since i found out...any tips on how to lift my mood and should i go and see my gp asap??

[jeanjeannie50]

For a while, don't do anything that makes your heart race. I once walked up a hill the day after a cardioversion and went straight back into AF.

Jean

[CDreamer in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Avoiding walking up hills here is a little difficult is it not?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to CDreamer]

I was foolish! We volunteers had a picnic one evening in the National Trust garden where I am a volunteer house guide, it was the day after I'd had a cardioversion. One of the gardeners came along and said who wants a tour of the gardens. I was up and off with them without a thought and walked down a very steep incline. Of course the next thing was coming back up and that's when my heart went back into AF and I knew immediately it had happened, because of the breathlessness.

Where I live I can walk down hill to the town and catch a bus back up to the top of my road. After my cardioversion in January I didn't walk up any hills until about 6 weeks later, I wanted my heart to grow strong, beating in its correct manner before doing anything strenuous. Fingers crossed the procedure will last this time. I've walked back home from the town twice in the last two weeks and was fine. I've not been wearing any tight clothing either, just dresses.

Jean

[Paulbounce]

Hi Charles.

It`s worth asking your doctor about med`s to help you stay in sinus after a CV (for example flecainide). It can make a difference - I would get on the phone to him / her first thing on Monday - they can only say no !

Good luck with it. Hope it keeps you ticking along (pun intended;-)) in sinus for a year or so.

Best,

Paul

[Charles1967 in reply to Paulbounce]

To follow up had cardioversion ten days ago and after three attempts got back into nsr...last night felt heartbeat race a little and now i am back in afib again only normal rhythm lasted a week or so...just feel so disappointed as i felt better when in normal heartbeat..im new to this condition...about six months since i found out...any tips on how to lift my mood and should i go and see my gp asap??

[CDreamer]

So many variables that it is impossible to predict. Stress plays a huge part in AF so my tip would be to manage your stress, even worrying whether or not you will get AF again can contribute.

AF can be managed and there is a lot you can do that helps. Reading the posts you will pick up a lot of ways various people manage and as everyone is SO different it is usually trial and error. Magnesium works for many people but it would put me in hospital but I find other supplements such as Co-Q10, D-Ribose, Vit D, Fish Oils all very helpful.

[Sean_C]

I think there may be an element of luck but I cannot believe that’s all there is. And if it really is just luck then I think there are things you can do to stack the odds in your favour. I’ve had two cardioversions, the first lasted 5 months before I reverted to continuous AF. The second was in April last year and two weeks from now I’ll have been in NSR for a year.

My belief is that a few lifestyle changes made the difference this time. I cut way down on alcohol, never (or rarely) drinking more that two at a time. I lost about a stone in weight, and changed my approach to exercise, wearing a HR monitors when running or cycling and managing my effort not allowing my HR to go too high for sustained periods.

So, many on this forum have had different experiences and disagree with me, but I promise you it can be done. Relaxing is the main thing and try not to fret about it if you have runs of ectopics or flutters. Try and breathe deeply and calmly and it will often stop.

Oh, and I take two capsules of Magnesium Taurate daily.

I wish you well. Long may your NSR last.

[Charles1967 in reply to Sean_C]

To follow up had cardioversion ten days ago and after three attempts got back into nsr...last night felt heartbeat race a little and now i am back in afib again only normal rhythm lasted a week or so...just feel so disappointed as i felt better when in normal heartbeat..im new to this condition...about six months since i found out...any tips on how to lift my mood and should i go and see my gp asap??