Post HA, arrest and a stent ( which put me into continuous AFib) 3 months ago Saw arrhythmia specialist yesterday and will have 1st cardio version in about 4 weeks. I was very fit and used to exercise before this lot. I’m now in slow lane at swimming and get breathless walking to quickly or up a small hill. But the nurse was vague and just said I mustn’t do anything that might trigger AFib like swimming the channel 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
Any advice please? X
I've had many successful cardioversions, but once went back into AF the day following one after walking up a steep hill. Allow your heart to grow strong beating in its correct rhythm as it can so easily slip back into AF. Do nothing for a few weeks that could stress it and avoid stimulants like alcohol.
AF nurses rarely tell you this, but experience has taught me.
Jean
Thank you. The swimming the channel doesn’t tell you anything about everyday stuff.
Hi Ewloe, a cardioversion is an important part of a treatment plan for anyone in persistent AF. If it is successful, even for a short period, and the patient feels significantly better for being in rhythm then it indicates that further treatment such as an ablation is more likely to be effective should the CV fail. Agree with Jeans good advice and if you are taking anticoagulants, make sure you do not miss a dose before the procedure because they will cancel it. Don’t fib either because the consequences could be very serious! CV’s are not going to cure AF and unless you are very young and fit they generally don’t last for ever so try not to be too disappointed if or when it fails. The important thing is that it worked……
Good luck.
Thank you. She was very negative about the general success rates of cardio version. I just want to make sure I don’t do anything to make the AFib return which I’m aware it’s likely to. But the swimming the channel comment doesn’t tell me anything.
The whole point is that cardioversion is really a test rather than a treatment as Flapjack mentions.
It may help short term and the best advice is listen to your body. Only exercise to the point you can talk at the same time for a few weeks.
Agree with everyone else. Nurse advice was to just take it easy for the weekend but cardiologist advice was stay off alcohol and exercise just moderately for 2 to 3 weeks. I took that as being extra extra careful for the weekend and still very careful for following few weeks. Unfortunately only lasted 2 days and I did nothing to bring back the AF. Just one of those things.But having another go, about same time as you.And having already had one feeling very calm about it. Hope you are too.
Good luck 🤞🌸
Before my ablation I had a successful CV. Before leaving the hospital I ask how to stay in NSR. A group of Harvard Drs were quick to say they didn't know except to say avoid alcohol, salt, and dehydration might help.
It lasted 4 days, after a lightly salty lunch at the sea shore I hiked a slightly hilly path. While going up a slight hill while chewing a caramel (possible vagal trigger) I felt AFib return. It was persistent and lasted 5 month until my ablation.
I was disappointed but had a nice day and week with family from the west coast.
They convert you during a ablation, that one lasted one day. I was resting and avoiding triggers, it has been 33 days and I'm still in afib....another CV is being scheduled. Maybe being post ablation it will last a bit longer.
Flecainde and eposides 
question about triggers
No symptoms of Afib, should I get an ablation?
Flecainide and Diltiazem 
Exercising at higher altitude with afib
