Heartbeat post cardioversion

[gtkelly]

Had 2 cardioversions within 3 months of initial diagnosis of Afib back in November 2019. Fine until arrythmia returned early July this year.

Initially told to stop my regular Bisoprolol 1.25mg per day until cardioversion which I had mid August. Back in nsr since then.

After the latest cardioversion was told to resume the same dose of Bisoprolol but stop my regular daily dose of Flecainide (2x50mg)

I had been on same doses of Bisoprolol and Flecainide since June 2020 (also Apixiban since initial diagnosis)

So whilst I'm thankfully back in nsr I find that my heartbeat is much more noticeable in ears and chest particularly when sitting watching tv or in bed. Anyone else have similar post cardioversion 'symptoms'?

[BobD Volunteer]

Pulsatile tinitus is often a side effect of AF nothing to do with cardioversion. We all get far too obsessed with our hearts and notice these things that others don't.

[gtkelly in reply to BobD]

Thanks BobD. Preferable to arrhythmia.

[Jajarunner]

Sounds like what I like to term Cardionoia (Cardiac + paranoia). Once you've been through horrible experiences with your heart, espescially the trauma of a cardioversion, I become much more aware of my heart beat for a few months! It does ease over time xx

[gtkelly in reply to Jajarunner]

Sounds good. Thank you.

[OzJames]

I was the same as you, stopped the Flecainide straight after CV and remained on Metoprolol. After a couple of months I didn’t notice anything although I occasionally get the drum beat in one ear which coincidentally does not follow the pulse rate sometimes. He has since gradually reduced the Metropolol

[gtkelly in reply to OzJames]

Thanks OzJames. What dosage of Metroprolol are you on?

[OzJames in reply to gtkelly]

I’m down to about 8mg morning and night. Please check with doctor but I think to calculate the equivalent in bisoprolol you divide by 10 so that would be .8mg bisoprolol

[gtkelly in reply to OzJames]

On 1.25 which is lowest prescribed dose of bisoprolol. Thanks OzJames.

[OzJames]

ok my reduction came up in discussions with cardiologist and he seemed ok with me trying at a lower dosage below any recommended dose levels. He believes it still can help to dampen the adrenaline spike that can sometimes initiate AF

[gtkelly in reply to OzJames]

In for follow up ecg in 4 days time. May get chance to speak to cardiologist via cardio nurse.