Post Cardeoversion care

[Spudly22]

My husband is going in for his first cardioversion Monday after being in AF for a year.

Some of the wait was due to covid and also getting his thyroid back under control.

He takes no meds other than blood thinners and no symptoms to his AF, it was discovered by accident so don’t know how long he has actually had it.

We have not actually seen anyone in person but had a few phone consultations. The nurse that booked us in I have to say was unfortunately not that positive about the procedure .. made me for sure think why are we bothering!

My question to you all is what can we do post CV to give it our best shot assuming it is we hope a success!

Should you rest for a week in bed or carry on as normal? We have waited so long we want to give it everything we have got 😊

Thank you all for any hints and tips

[Hidden]

Hi Spudly, this link will give you some information about having a cardioversion.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Cardioversions normally form part of a treatment plan. They can last for years but for someone with persistent AF the likelihood is it will be less than that, it all depends on a variety of different factors. The important thing to bear in mind is that even if it only works for a short period, if hubby feels significantly better, it indicates that he is more likely to respond well to an ablation.

Once the anaesthetic has worn off, most people feel OK pretty quickly but it is important to take things easy for as long as possible to give his heart a chance to stabilise. Hope all goes well.......

[BobD Volunteer]

Firstly please don't put too mcuh hope on this. Cardioversion is never a cure but if it does put your husband back into normal rhythm (NSR) then it can signpost future treatment. It may either not work at all, work for only a short time, minutes hours or days, or work and stay in NSR for some weeks months or longer. The important information to get out of it is if is works does he feel better in NSR. as that helps decide what drugs or other treatment may be best for him.

Regarding after care , just take it easy, no running marathons. cutting logs or heavy lifting for a day or two. Stay well hydrated at all times and listen to your body. Relax yes but bed rest is quite unnecessary.

[jeanjeannie50]

The best tip I can give you, after a cardioversion, is for your husband not to walk up any hills. His heart has been beating out of rhythm for a long time and the muscles in his heart needed for that wrong beat will have become stronger than the correct ones. Allow the right muscles to gain strength again before doing anything strenuous.

I once walked up a steep hill the day after a cardioversion and my heart immediately went back out of rhythm, how I regretted doing that! I'm a great fan of cardioversion procedures and they have always put me straight back in to correct sinus mode.

He also needs to avoid eating any food or drink containing artificial additives.

Please let us know how he gets on.

Jean

[Paulbounce]

I think the points above pretty much cover it. Take it easy for a few days and allow the heart to adjust.

As for the CV itself - it's a simple enough procedure and nothing to worry about. Assuming your husband goes back in to sinus (normal rhythm) then it shows the way for possible future treatments. He may stay in sinus for a minute / a day / a month or even years. However all are a positive sign.

I remember my first one very well. I was really panicing before - there was no need and I felt really silly afterwards for being worried about nothing.

I'm two years in now from my third one. I've had a few 'hipcups' but over all it's worked out well and (as of today) I'm in sinus. Two years is pretty good going in my opinion but I put it down to being on Flecainide. If your husband needs a second one I would strongly recommend him talking to his cardio about flec.

Paul

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

I've had nearly a dozen CV's. None of them prevented the return of AFIB, which intervals became shorter and shorter. There is the rare person who gets a satisfactory result from CV.

CV is just a temporary solution, in my opinion. Consult with an EP. Next decision will be whether to manage AFIB with medications .... or ablation.

I've had 4 ablations. After 3rd one, I had 10 years of normalcy. My advice is to consult with the best EP you can find. If you have to travel to see him/her, do so.

If you don't desire ablation .... at some point meds might not work so well. Then, doctors will tell you it might be best to just stay managed with anticoagulants in permanent AFIB for life. Some people on this board are in this situation ... and they say life has quite a bit of quality in this state.

Best of Luck! to you going forward . . . .

[Spudly22]

Update - hunny went in for his CV at 8 and out by 11.30

Doesn’t remember any part of the process

It worked and he was in NSR on the first zap

Currently taking it easy and everything crossed it stays 😊