After Cardioversion

[SoundCollector]

I had a successful cardioversion last week, with one shock getting me back into normal rhythm. I was wondering how people felt after this practise. My BPM have gone up to around 85/90 while sitting at work which is higher than when I had AF. I have no shortness of breath or pain - just a 'nervous' feeling. Do things take time to settle after the procedure or can me worrying just take my rate higher anyway! Thanks in advance

[TinCool]

I've had 3 cardioversion in the past 7 years all of which got me back in to NSR.

The first I had 6 years ago, I never felt myself since then. I always had a weird uncomfortable feeling in my chest, kind of hard to describe. My heart rate would stay at 100bpm after a visit to the gym for a couple of hours afterwards for example, and generally my heart rate, at least to me, was higher than it used to be. I always had an odd uneasy feeling most of the time. Like anxiety or something.

Unfortunately I had to be cardioverted around this time last year after a serious infection Afterward the 2nd one I felt much better than I did after the 1st one 6 years ago. The same for the 3rd one last January. I'm no dr and this is just my experience, but I think although the 1st got me back to NSR, it wasn't quite the right fit for my heart. The 2nd and 3rd did however. Hope I make some sense.

[SoundCollector in reply to TinCool]

Thanks. The anxiety feeling is the best way to describe it!

[Sutty50]

Hi Stokespur,

I've had 3 cardioversions with flecainide and 3 electrical, now waiting for my 4th, this is over the last 12 years. My experience after the first couple was that I was constantly 'feeling' for af, almost expecting it to return so it could be this you're experiencing. That being said I don't remember the elevated rate. These days after cardioversion I feel nothing but great once the anaesthetic's worn off, hopefully you'll settle soon and begin to feel normal again.

[Jalia]

With all my cardioversions ( circa 20) I have felt for a few days or so after that I would surely revert back to AF even though it was a great relief to be back in sinus. So I think that some anxiety is at work here! I do hope that you are feeling better now.

Regards

J

[chipsviccars]

I had a successful cardioversion in January 2018, although my heart rate dropped to 32 and I had to stay in hospital for two nights. I was then told I could drop the three different AF medications and just keep taking Apixaban as an anticoagulant. Everything was fine until earlier this year, when I started to feel slightly breathless and then stupidly went on a tough hill walk for which I wasn't adequately prepared. I went back into AF and now await another CV and an appointment with a Nurse Specialist who will hopefully be more forthcoming than the locum cardiologist. Don't worry but work up to exertion gradually. Mark (aka Chips Viccars).

[cali111]

I have had cardioversion and felt wonderful. Don`t worry they know what they are doing

[20WildRose19]

My cardioversion was approx 7 weeks ago. Took a few days to feel any benefit. Immediately my blood pressure dropped my heart rate was lot lower and getting extra beats. But my atrial flutter has gone which is great when I think back to how exhausted I was before cardio. Last week had ECG at GPs surgery all fine. Come of Diltiazem but staying on Apixaban. Guess everyone reacts differently. I'm am still aware that at times I can still feel heart thudding and must admit check my pulse to see what's going on. Let's hope we all stay in rythmn!