I had phone call this morning telling me I had been booked for a Cardioversion on 02 Feb 23 at Barts hospital to try an correct AF.
This will be the first one that I have ever had and to say I am not scared is an understatement. I have had at least 3 ablations, plus two mitral valve replacements, but this procedure just scares me.
What if it stops my heart, instead of correcting the rate.
Advice would be appreciated please.
It is a very very very rare thing for cardioversion to stop the heart. Maybe 5 million to one I was told. It happened to me in 2017 but since I was in hospital with doctors present some CPR and adrenaline directly into the muscle restarted it so I am able to write this today. Now that it happened to me you will be quite safe. You are welcome. (I suspect mine was caused by serious dehydration as I had been nil by mouth for about 13 hours waiting for a slot. My BP was very low -60/30 - and they put two litres of saline into me before it climbed to 90/60.)
Ablation has a much higher risk of serious consequences but even that is considered safe.
I beg you not to make a fuss about it, or you will feel very foolish afterwards. I've had lots and can assure you there's nothing to having a cardioversion. You go to the hospital, sit waiting around for ages and your turn to come. Then go into a ward area, get undressed and put on a gown. Then the team come along, in my hospital they're laughing and chatty and it's like a party and I'm invited to join in. They wire you to an ECG machine and put pads on your chest, or chest and back give you a mild GA, fire the shock (you will be asleep and feel nothing) and a few minutes later you wake up cured. They like you to have a cup of tea and toast then off you go (you will need someone to drive you home) .
A word of warning though, don't drink alcohol, eat a large meal, or do anything energetic for a week or two afterwards, this allows your heart to gain strength beating in it's correct rhythm. It's very easy to slip back in to AF during the first few days. I once walked up a steep hill the day after having one and immediately went back in to AF. My goodness how I regretted doing that.
Let us know how you get on please and be assured you have nothing to fear.
Jean
Let me assure you that this will be a walk in the park compared to your other procedures. I do understand your concerns though . I recall being quite terrified at the mere thought.
It is a very short procedure which you will be unaware of with only a brief disruption to your heart rhythm to shock you back. There is normally a maximum of 3 attempts to do so at any session. I've had 23 dccvs and there has always been at least one doctor plus anaesthetist and nurses present and very often consultant as well.
It is a very safe procedure but there are risks with everything which have to be pointed out to you. However you are in the right place should extra help be needed so please try not to worry too much.
Agree with everything that's already been said - can relate to Jean in particular. After my 1st one I couldn't believe how well I felt immediately. Wonderful to feel "normal" with a steady rhythm instead of regular 100++bmp which was draining. Please try not to worry - great to hear you have been booked in for the procedure as in some areas there is a long waiting time.
Really is not a problem, take a look by clicking on the link and watch the video …….
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
That nurse in the video did my first cardioversion at St George’s!
Wow, that’s a coincidence…….happy new year!!
Same to you FJ! ❤️
I had a cardioversion at 2pm on a Sunday after entering A and E at 11am and home at 5pm ,with 2 bisoprolol tablets.,.....13 years ago,and to be honest I ve not really had a problem since.We're all differant ,but worrying can only make it worst,best of luck to you.
I’ve had 3 electrical cardioversions and one chemical one , and as others have said , they are a walk in the park compared to ablations !
I was very scared for my first one as I too thought my heart may stop and not be able to be restarted . However , after my 3rd in October I was looking forward to it as I desperately wanted to be back in lovely sinus rhythm. You will be A1 OK . Best wishes
Hi All, first of all I would like to thank you all for your kind words of support, and yes I will let you all know how I get on. Jean I noticed in another reply you sent to somebody about a plant based diet may help AF , when you get your PC working would be interested in seeing what information you have.
Once again thanks for putting my mind at ease it's appreciated.
Still can't get into my documents, what's the betting my IT guy turns up and makes me look an idiot, because transferring them is so easy. Any way the following is roughly what it says.
Reducing my intake of red meat, cutting out all foods containing artificial additives/preservatives, alcohol, caffeine and sugar have really helped reduce the severity of my AF. Artificial sweeteners were a sure trigger for my AF attacks. I cook most of my meals from scratch and make lots so that they can go in the freezer for lazy days. I eat a lot of fresh fruit and mixed nuts, which I enjoy anyway. I also supplement daily with magnesium, taurine, zinc, vitamin C, B12, D3 and K2.
I must confess to having eaten a vast amount of sugary rubbish food over the Christmas period. Thank goodness there's none of it left in my house now. People will say, we all have Jean, but no I bet they haven't eaten rubbish to the excess I have. How I'm not overweight, well goodness only knows.
Have a happy and healthy 2023.
Jean
You missed out wealthy.😜
No, wealth doesn't make you happy!
I've had two, and both were extremely easy. I was sedated, and it was over in 5 minutes. I felt wonderful afterward as it knocked my heart back in NSR.
I had seven of them and they call them here in US “zap and go” procedures,I went to work after one next morning. I almost began to enjoy that moment when they are putting you to sleep, all the worries go away 😊
Best of luck I am sure you’ll do fine
jerryczech
Easy-Peasy. I've had several over the years and it's like going for a nap in Afib and waking up in NSR. Nothing compared to the ablation. You got this. Mike
hi there if I didn’t know better I would’ve thought I wrote this. Having had other things done yes I was terrified I was going to die with my cardioversion. I thought they stopped your heart first and had all kinds of thoughts in my head. People here are the ones who talked me down so to speak. One person sent me a video that showed a person getting it and that was not the thing to send someone who was afraid it looked like a horror movie lol and I have been assured that’s not the way it’s done normally.
I was actually going for my echo prior to my cardioversion when I was surprised being told if all was fine they were going to continue and just do the cardioversion at the same time. This was probably good for me because I would get it over with. From the time my nurses came out to retrieve me I was in the best of hands and really did not have the time to be afraid. I was spoiled as if I were in a hotel even better and they kept me busy prepping me. I was put under which is my preference. The less I know the better. They also slip you some thing right after they sprayed my throat for the TEE. I don’t remember falling asleep. When I woke I woke happy I could feel the smile and I almost had the giggles. Oh yes part of it was the meds but also it was like someone had taken something heavy off of my brain. Before I even was aware I somehow knew I was better. My heart rate was down from 158 to 82. The woman who entered in a wheelchair was able to walk out on her own without pain or being breathless etc.
This was just at the end of October FYI so please don’t be afraid you will be swaddled in a blanket of safety with your staff as I word it. The hardest part was the awful spray in your mouth. It reminded me of some kind of an awful cough drop lol
I have no doubt you will get many answers about this because I did and the people here got me through it🙏🏻😊
Hi Dawn, I must say that I agree with you regarding the videos! They look like some horror movie to be sure! I really can't see how they can be reassuring and thought I was the only one who felt like that!!
thank you for that. I think if your doctor want you to see it that’s one thing but when you’re asking because you are already nervous I think it may be over sharing. I can over share it time but I definitely don’t share the scary stuff although I must say maybe it’s because we are ready at the time but once I am in the hospital being prepped I’m not nervous even before the meds lol
The video sent to me has the guy not attached to anything and he bounces off the bed reminiscent of Frankenstein waking up. He is on a regular bed. Yeah no one needs to see that.
I always tell my team that I don’t wanna know just put me to sleep. I know some like to watch the monitor. I am not one of those people I also do not like watching blood drawn etc 🤪
Went into Barts this morning for my first Cardioversion. Now back in NSR,and thank you all for your kind comments on not to worry about it.
Good to hear ! Long may you continue in NSR. 🙌🏼
Cardioversion
Cardioversion
DC Cardioversion
First cardioversion 
Considering cardioversion 
