Post cardioversion monitoring

[Hydroplane]

Had cardioversion for atrial flutter yesterday. Looks like it worked. Was easy. I just have an arm bp monitor at home, other than checking my heartbeat rate how can I know if the cardioversion is holding other than symptoms which are not so obvious for me unless I exercise. Thanks everybody this is a wonderful group and I have benefited greatly from it. When do people advise exercising again my doc said a day or two but inclined to wait maybe a little longer.

[Suesouth]

had min3 yesterday too, having a lazy day today!

[Hydroplane in reply to Suesouth]

thank you and everyone else for your responses. Yes day two after cardioversion and heart rate much reduced, but feeling worn out. I think the sedative propranolol is finally pretty much clearing out of my system. Doc didn't really answer any q's at hospital as he said I would nt remember, but I do remember him saying that! Anyway chart says it was successful and I am grateful for the care I received and all the good info and people on this site!

[Desanthony]

I took it really easy for a week after my CV's and then gradually built up to exercising normally again.

[jeanjeannie50]

As someone who's had quite a few cardioversions. I would advise you to take it very easy for a few days. Anything that requires effort could bring it back until your heart gains strength beating in its correct mode. Honestly, I think I'd wait a couple of weeks. I once walked up a hill the day after having one and went straight back into AF. Too late to be careful once that happens! Someone on this forum said they had some alcohol and their heart went back into AF. Be careful please.

Jean

[Hydroplane in reply to jeanjeannie50]

thank you and everyone else for your responses. Yes day two after cardioversion and heart rate much reduced, but feeling worn out. I think the sedative propranolol is finally pretty much clearing out of my system. Doc didn't really answer any q's at hospital as he said I would nt remember, but I do remember him saying that! Anyway chart says it was successful and I am grateful for the care I received and all the good info and people on this site!

[ozziebob]

Hi there,

Are you asking how you can observe your heart rhythm, but avoiding exercise?

Well the obvious answer would be to buy a Kardia 6L device from AliveCor at £149. Then, with most smartphones and the associated free App, you could produce your own ECGs at any time you choose . And you can vary the length of the ECG up to about 5 mins if you ever need.

I only have the basic service and pay no extra fees, and this gives me all the visual information and history of ECG recordings I need.

I hope that's what you asked.

bob

[Hydroplane in reply to ozziebob]

thank you and everyone else for your responses. Yes day two after cardioversion and heart rate much reduced, but feeling worn out. I think the sedative propranolol is finally pretty much clearing out of my system. Doc didn't really answer any q's at hospital as he said I would nt remember, but I do remember him saying that! Anyway chart says it was successful and I am grateful for the care I received and all the good info and people on this site!

[DawnTX]

I say don’t exercise until you feel you are ready

[Hydroplane in reply to DawnTX]

Thanks Dawn, Day three after cardioversion and feeling so much better. Mindful of the comments to take it easy though. This procedure, at least for me, was absolutely not something to have worried about. Really quite painless. I am hoping it holds. Thanks to everyone for their kind support and hope you are feeling optimistic and well.

[DawnTX]

well today is my day three after having the cardioversion Friday and there was no way I would feel like exercising. I’m not tired like I was. I kept falling asleep and slept like a rock the first two days. But it keeps getting me nervous because it feels like my heart is pounding away however when I take my heart rate it is in the 80s much better than in the 150s as it was up until Friday afternoon. Saturday night I had gotten upset about some thing and it shot up to the 90s which made me even more upset. I was already to cry but in less than 20 minutes it was back in the 80s. I’m scared to death of it going back to the way it was.

does everyone feel a bit like that after the cardioversion? I was given a long list and a lecture of things not to ignore. Most of them as I mentioned earlier are things I’ve been living with since eight along with the 150+ heart rate. I did leave a message for the doctor because I was told if I can’t get him to go to the ER but I’m not going to the ER my HR is not up but I am still feeling breathless but no pain or heaviness in my chest. Prior to Friday the minute I stood up and walked it was like a car was on my chest.

Jean I know you’ve had several how long does it take for all of that to ease up would you say? I’m definitely not ready for a marathon

[Hydroplane in reply to DawnTX]

Well, I had a similar experience, I think. I am two weeks after CV and still feeling tired at times. Although it is improving. My HR which was 82-128 runs 45-60 even after 2 or 3 hours of yard work. So big improvement and dont crash as hard afterwards. Going to see NP Cardiology tomorrow for follow up probably get an ekg. But overall, it's a huge improvement from how I was feeling and my HR numbers I have suffered for about 2 and 1/4 years so I am happy. Also going for a job interview tomorrow, feeling confident I do the job again so we shall see. Wishing you the best and yah I would say stay patient, maybe the fatigue we feel is a result of how long we have had the problem, how wearing that has been, and how that has limited us. I don't know but think I am still improving two weeks out in terms of stamina so hang in!

[DawnTX in reply to Hydroplane]

today was the best day so far 79 heart rate. I am also having back issues and was meant to have a laminectomy last year but a fib had returned with a vengeance. I’m thinking that the pain from this back pain is probably also still wearing me out. My pain meds barely touch it. If everything holds my cardiologist Said there should not be a problem getting that surgery. Of course they need cardiac clearance. I agree about the length of time. My afib came back last fall when I was moving to Texas. It continued to get worse. Moving meant I had to start with new doctors so I was not able to get my surgery until the end of April. I had a VOM unfortunately it was a failure and since then life has been hell. Everything they tell you about a heart attack is what I was feeling on a constant basis.

i’m glad to hear you are feeling that much better. This morning I was down to 79 for a heart rate that is the best yet. I am feeling hopeful I know I am now in good hands. Thank you for telling me about yours 😊❤️

[Hydroplane in reply to DawnTX]

Sounds like you are dealing with a lot the very best you can. Had a laminictomy recommended a long time ago, went with physical therapy and a neurologist, recovered over time. I am finding that although my heart rate is definitely much lower my stamina is stillo significantly reduced for physical activity like mowing and yard work. But I will take the being back in rhytm and lower heart rate. May be going back to work part time in 3 weeks so wishing you well and thanks for the info.

[DawnTX in reply to Hydroplane]

thank you so much. Yes I have been that route and it’s just too much damage. I was hit by an 18 wheeler. Something changed drastically about a month ago I’ve been till then it was tolerable now the pain just rules the day. That’s not what I want out of life. I meet with the neurosurgeon on the eighth hopefully something will come out of it. A very good friend of mine had one done 20 years ago and just recently had to have a little more done. He is a semi pro golfer and believes the movement of what he does has worn it down again. he sounds like the people that told me about the cardioversion as to when you wake up you know you feel better. He is impressed on me that he’s going to keep after me to make sure I don’t overdo anything. He also told me pain relief will be there almost as soon as they wake up. Now he’s not promising roses lol just relief. Pain meds are not helping nothing is helping. Thankfully my heart rate is staying in the 80s instead of 150s so one day at a time. Thank you again for your support it is people like you that make me like this site

[Hydroplane in reply to DawnTX]

Yes, I know some people that have had extremely succesful back surgery, including a lady who I worked with and waterskied behind our boat and had a very active life after surgery. It certainly can provide great results and can from what I understand give prompt relief to nerve root compression which causes so much pain. Plus the techniques have steadily improved to be less invasive, less scarring and quicker recovery. So if the Neurosurgeon recommends it sounds like the right thing for you, and I wish you well.

Right now I am thinking about buying one of those hand held devices that lets you monitor your heart rhythm so I can stop worrying about whether I am slipping out of Rythm. I am wondering whether just confirming my heart rate is at its new very reduced rate is enough. Yes this site has been very helpful to me as well it was one of the reasons I decided to go ahead with the cardioversion, and I am so glad I did! So thanks to you and everyone and wishing everyone good health.