Cardioversion

[Bramley01]

I'm feeling very fortunate to have been offered a cardioversion on Tuesday much sooner that I thought, but to be honest I'm feeling very nervous

[jeanjeannie50]

i think it's normal to be nervous when you've never had a cardioversion before. I've had several and can assure you there's nothing to them and the following is what I've experienced.

You go to the hospital, sit around waiting for about an hour for your turn. You go in, get undressed and put on one of their gowns. You lie on a bed and someone comes and puts a cannula in the back of your hand and you're wired up to a machine that's showing your heart rate. The team turn up all bright and happy (doc and some nurses). You have the GA injected into your cannula, are zapped and then wake up a few minutes later and for me I'm always back in normal sinus rhythm. The feeling of joy is like no other and gratitude to everyone involved sweeps over me - honestly I could kiss their feet!

At my hospital they want you to eat some toast and have a cup of tea before leaving, that's it! They tell you that you need to have someone with you for the next 24hrs and are told not to sign any documents during that time.

A word of warning though. Afterwards don't do anything to raise your heart rate for a week or so, no walking up hills, or lifting anything heavy. Allow your heart to gain strength beating at it's correct rate. I once made the mistake of walking up a hill the day after a cardioversion and my heart immediately went straight back into AF. Oh, no alcohol for a while afterwards either.

Best wishes

Jean

[Bramley01 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you so much for the reassurance

[BobD Volunteer]

Piece of cake . Turn up, they put a canula in your arm and make you comfortable. Then they put some fairy juice in the canula and while you are away playing with the fairies they zap you and you go back in rhythm. That's the plan. Dont drive yourself there for sure and take it easy for a couple of days afterwards.

[Bramley01 in reply to BobD]

Thank you! 😊

[Jalia]

I had my first dc cardioversion about 30 years ago and was verrry nervous even though I was an inpatient on cardiology ward. I've had 22 more since, the last one 6 months ago.

I know it sounds scary but when it's over you will be so relieved and wonder why you worried so much. You will be very well looked after so please try not to worry too much!

Best wishes

J

[Bramley01]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, good to have plenty of reassurance from others

[Ducky2003]

Natural to be nervous. I'm up to 7 or 8 now and would still be nervous if I had to have another, even though its fine. Rather do that than some dental procedures I've had. 😁.All the best.

[Fullofheart]

Definitely normal to be nervous but really nothing to be worried about. You won't feel or remember a thing. Its not painful or distressing. You are anaesthetised, lightly. You'll be brought around very quickly after so very little after effects from the anaesthetic and you'll be home the same day...hopefully....in sinus rhythm. 🤞🏻. Then you need to rest to keep it that way!

[Rainfern]

hi Bramley, I had my first cardioversion a few weeks ago. My biggest concern was the taxi fare home! All the rest was a piece of cake and the staff were very reassuring. You really have nothing to be afraid of and good luck returning to normal sinus rhythm.

[Hidden]

Click on the link to find out everything you need to know. Suggest you also watch the video, it’s not scary!

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Let us know how you get on………

[Bramley01 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊

[Jajarunner]

Please don't be, I've had 11. You are sedated for a few minutes, then whilst 'asleep", they do the deed, then you wake up. That's it. Twice I had to ask if it had even been done as I didn't even remember going to sleep!!!! Hope all goes well xxx

[Bodydoctor12]

hi,

Don’t be - I was nervous for months and wouldn’t even consider it. I finally had it on Feb 15th and I’ve been in NSR since then. I did feel a bit beat up after and I definitely had whiplash (I have a dodgy neck from a bike accident years ago and should’ve mentioned it) and I had a sharp pain in the area of the pad on my back (muscle spasm ) but thankfully as I’m an osteopath I worked that out. I took it really easy for about 10 days after and I didn’t just stop my BISOPROLOL - I was on 3.75mg once a day, I slowly weaned myself off and I mean really slowly as I’m so sensitive to the changes. I’m now down to .625 and will continue to reduce it till I’m finally off of it.

Go for it and good Luck.

Mary

[DKBX]

No worries. Enjoy the “milk of amnesia” and get back into rhythm!

[Bramley01 in reply to DKBX]

😂

[Snowgirl65]

Bramley, I had two CVs and they miraculously stopped both long-term AF episodes I was having at the time. You're first prepped for it (lots of waiting around), lay down, they give you an iv with the drug, and 5 minutes later you awaken to NSR. Of course there's more involved, but that's basically the gist of it. I can't describe what a wonderful feeling it is to wake up feeling normal again. I can understand your fears, but I had absolutely no problems with mine.

[agnostic1]

Hi there, truly just as described by everyone. I walked to and from mine. Just tell them to really knock you out (a whole other story). Sending good thoughts.

[Ellie-Ann]

I waited for two years before I got a cardioversion mid December last year. However…it was successful after just one shock ( They can do it three times if needed). I didn't feel a thing. All the worrying that I did before it…. Well…what can I say “ Don’t get worried as it’s a cinch.” Just do what they tell you afterwards and take it easy for a couple of weeks at least. Good luck! You will be fine! I was 75 when I had mine.

[Heartening in reply to Ellie-Ann]

Hi -I’m due to have my 2nd cardioversion in 3 weeks. The last one in January only lasted one week. During that time I didn’t feel much better but this could have been the Bisoprolol which made me feel so dreadful (since been taken off this drug). I’m obviously desperate for this one to last longer. My question is how long to take it easy for after? I’ve booked 6 days off work but taking more time won’t be popular. Does it sound a reasonable time to rest? After the last one the nurse said to carry on as usual after a day or two as if I was going to go back into AF there was little I could do about it, but reading this thread I think there will be plenty to disagree with that statement. Thoughts?

[Ducky2003 in reply to Heartening]

I had a week off but unless you have a particularly strenuous job, you'll hopefully be ok by then.