I had my first Cardioversion two days ago. I had three shocks to get my heart back into sinus rythmn.
I thought I would feel much better but to be honest I feel just the same. I still have palpitations, still feel like I have run a marathon by the end of the day. I think I might have skipped back into af again.
Without getting an ecg is there anyway of knowing if this has happened?
The simplest way is to feel your pulse. Google “how to feel your pulse” and see what happens…..
Feel the pulse on the side of your neck a bit below your ear using two fingers. If it’s even with the odd skipped beat, you are still in NSR. If the beats are coming at random intervals then, sadly, you are back in AF. Hopefully your heart is taking time to adjust if you have been in AF for some time. It’s probably too late now but it’s a good idea to take it as easy as you can for a couple of weeks after a CV while your heart gets into a good habit ❤️🩹
If you can, might be worth getting a Kardia device (or similar) for the future, which you can use, with an app attached to your phone. They’re really easy to use and it will give you an ECG read out in the comfort of your own home, which can also be read easily by medics. It’ll tell you if you are in sinus Rythm or possible Afib ( and other conditions, if you pay a monthly cost) you can also get cardiologist readings if your ECGs, quickly, for a small cost.
You can buy them from The British heart foundation, Kardia direct, or Amazon.
Get a Fitbit 5 watch that will measure it
If you have a smartphone, one alternative to Kardia, which can cost £10.00a month, is the Wellue touchscreen ECG which is cheaper than both and offers free AI analysis, saving the monthly fee.
But, if you are symptom free, and used to have symptoms when in AF, you will be experiencing NSR with ectopic beats, which is quite normal, I would say.
Steve
The Kardia device is brilliant because it lets you share the traces with your doctor. If you are only interested in knowing whether you are in AF or not, you don’t need to subscribe to the App, you just need to buy the device. There are two versions, the KardiaMobile which does a single lead ECG and the KardiaMobile 6L which does a 6 lead ECG. I have the 6L but mainly just use it in single lead mode when I just want to quickly check.
Alternatively the latest Apple Watches also are capable of detecting A-Fib. They aren’t quite as accurate as the Kardia but there isn’t a lot in it and the convenience is that you have it on your wrist at all times. Be aware though that it can’t scan the whole time, you have to stop and run the scan.
I believe some of the latest Fitbits also can detect A-Fib but I’ve not seen them and have no idea how good they are.
I have a fitbit (Inspire 2 which is only about £50) and it does detect AF when at rest. So if doing stuff around the house it doesn’t pick it up. But it does detect it when I am asleep and gives detailed feedback. This device is approved by American FDA and says 98% accurate
I also have a Kardia and this you can use anytime to check you heart rhythm if you feel palpitations etc It is very accurate and most cardiologists accept the reports it produces. You only have to pay monthly fee if you want more bells and whistles
So plenty stuff available to help monitor your own condition and put you in the driving seat😂
Good luck
What was the result?
You still May be able to get the one lead Kardia on Amazon which is what I have and it’s cheaper than 6 lead. It’s very good and my Consultant says it’s perfectly acceptable
You must give it a few days to settle and get used to the new rythm
Kardia single lead....and you don't need the £10/month subscription for enhanced results.
Hi, did you have an ECG after the cardio, that would be usual, what did that show? Are you taking beta blockers, because I find if the cardio works and I continue with beta blockers they make me feel lousy. I've never been able to find a pulse in my neck, but at my wrist if it steadish it seems ok, if I'm in AF I can't take a pulse as its too fast and irratic and I feel tired, so I see my GP who checks and arranges an ECG.
To find your carotid pulse, press firmly on your windpipe just below your jaw with two fingers and, keeping in contact with the windpipe, slide round to the side. It's the most easily-found and reliable pulse point.
Not easily found by me, still can't find it
I"m a fan of my Apple watch. I wear it all the time, even when I sleep. As a result, it can track AFIB all the time. Tools like Kardia mobile are nice, but only track when you use it. So for me, the Apple watch is a much better tool for consistent evaluation. In fact, it's how I learned I had AFIB March 8th of last year.
I have since had pulsed field ablation ℗A) at the Cleveland Clinic (#1 heart hospital in the US), May 24, 2022, and have been in NSR ever since. And I can confirm that with my watch.
Good luck in your journey....
I have a pacemaker so cant use the Kardia monitor.I use an oximeter which gives a pulse rate and has a trace but I can feel if Im in AF or Atrial Flutter
I knew because I started getting palpitations and flutters again 3 1/2 weeks after my cardioversion. When I woke after it before anyone told me, I already knew it had worked for some reason I woke up with a big smile on my face and I felt better than I had for quite a while. When I looked at the monitor, my heart rate was 82 instead of in the 150s as it had been for well over a year. It’s amazing how immediate I felt the result. I had only been able to shuffle if that and instead I was able to walk to the car door. No crushing chest pain etc. I felt like a new person. as soon as it stopped working, I was back to the person who could not walk.
I had a second cardioversion December last year they shocked me three times and had trouble getting me back to anything. It failed miserably. That is when we talked and ended up doing a pacemaker. So disappointing when it fails, I know some people have been very And had them work well, but for the majority of us I find it is just temporary as if to give us a break and sooner or later that will end. So far the only thing that has given me relief is since I had the AV node ablation and pacemaker and even with that it’s not perfect but it makes me happy enough.
How do I know if I slip back into AF
Back in sinus rhythm but still got AF symptoms
All 'done & dusted' - in sinus rhythm again!
Reducing Bisoprolol when in normal sinus rhythm 
Back in sinus rhythm
