I have an appointment for a cardioversion pre op on Thursday after being told after an angiogram that everything the arteries were fine but I was in persistent AF.
I have no symptoms and feel absolutely fine, the consultant did double my bisoprolol to lower my heart rate it was 103 at the time and I am also on apixaban.
I just feel very anxious about having it done and for what benefit, I doubt I would go through with an ablation if they were to convert me.
Best wishes to you all.
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Patchwork123
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Hi I have been in persistent AF for the last 3yrs (punctuated with temporary sinus rhythm periods after cardioversions) and feel dreadful! I would happily cardiovert tomorrow but waiting lists... Cardioversion itself is no big deal, so on that basis.. why not.. but it is only a temporary relief. If you feel good and are nervous of the procedure (though no need to be) talk to your doctor/EP asap... I doubt if they will struggle to find someone to take your place!
Hi ObiDyer, If you don’t trust your doc I encourage you to find another who you do trust. We all need our hearts to even live so your doc will be an important person in your life.
That said, I’ve done first ablation then cardioversion, a decade or so apart. I’ve had afib for years.
Initially I was adverse to the idea of someone messing with my heart at all, until experienced medical friends made me realize my heart needed help. So I consented to ablation. My heart seemed calm for several years.
I had Paroxysmal Afib and when it changed to Permanent Afib a couple years ago, I had a cardioversion.
I hated the idea of Cardioversion, my heart being stopped so it could be started again. I trust, and believed my doc so was a patient for that.
It was nothing like I expected. I think you’re spoused to go to sleep but I’m too stubborn and just talked the whole time. I didn’t feel the cardioversion so the meds did some good even if I was conscious.
I remained in persistent Afib for a couple of months, delayed reaction. The persistent afib gradually became paroxysmal, and longer and longer between episodes.
None of the awful things I imagined about Cardioversion or Ablation became reality. And I feel better.
Everyone is different tho, different reactions to meds, different reactions to procedures. The ablation 10+ years ago addressed tachycardia. Since then my hr is on the low side, as is my bp which causes me to pass out at times.
Another ablation or cardioversion may be in my future and even though I still hate the idea, I would do it again. I conquered those fears. There is no monster lurking with those life-saving procedures.
I DO trust my doctor and EP's... I didn't say/suggest otherwise!! Maybe you're responding to the wrong message or didn't read mine properly? I'm awaiting ablation after second cardioversion 'failed' after two weeks.. My comment ref Patchwork123 was talk to your doctor but if you're feeling good without treatment it's not mandatory and providing you understand the possible increase in risk regarding stroke (already mitigated by apixaban) it's purely a choice..
Hi. I was diagnosed with persistent AF in August 2020. Main symptoms was getting out of breath on hills , stairs etc.and tiredness. I had CV in Jan 2021 and wow I instantly felt better. It made me realise how unwell I had been feeling. It only lasted a few months but I think that was my fault as i wasnt hydrated enough on the day I flipped back and ended up in A&E for 2nd CV which lasted over year. I was then back in persistent AF for well over a year NHS waiting lists) until I had an ablation 5 weeks ago. I feel and look so much better and no more Digoxin, just a small dose of Nebivilol and of course Edoxaban. I would recommend the CV as you will feel better even if you think you are niot experiencing symptoms now and it will nean you can reduce your drug intake. Good luck 😀
Removing the AF should be better for your long term health and so you should consider cardioversion/ ablation for that reason (less likely to get strokes etc). As the others said, please don't worry about cardioversion. I was knocked out for a few minutes and woke up as if nothing had happened but feeling better.
Wife has been in persistent AF since March. Walking up hills/stairs hits her hard, as does long bouts of exercise. Had a CV last month, which was a day patient and was in and out within the morning. She was one the only one of 4 women whoes CV did not work and she's no worse for trying.
Cardioversion is nothing to get stressed about, it is very safe and you will be in and out very quickly. You may find that it is only effective for a short time (days , weeks) but even then other possible remedies can be investigated. Mine was only effective for a few days before I relapsed into persistent AF but I then went on to have an ablation which was much more effective.
I'm in constant AF, have been for almost 4 years. I far prefer it to PAF and my heart rate stays between 60-90bpm
Re: Cardioversions
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 went straight back into AF. Oh, no alcohol for a while after either.
I used to love having cardioversions. Unfortunately, the time came after two eventually reverted in one year and I was told I wouldn't be offered any more.
All I would say is that you may not have symptoms currently, but being in persistent AF can lead to other issues further down the line. Mine has led to enlargement of the left atrium, which has caused my mitral valve to distort and as a result, I'm on a waiting list for open heart surgery to repair the valve.
Anything that potentially keeps you in nsr, can only be a good thing imho.
I think that's why mine is enlarged too. No follow up after stroke and no one would change me off Metoprolol. I demanded a H/Specialist @1 year 3 months. But Bisoprolol did little for my rapid H/B Day.
So it was 2 years 3 months before I was put on CCB Diltiazem which controlled my rapid AF.
I am in persistent AF but the Rapid has been controlled by CCB Diltiazem. BBs don't control my rapid AF.
How do i feel. Well, initially on Rapid AF I was sweating uncontrollable and walking especially elevated I would need to stop along the way.
Now @ 60s H/R Rest I dont not need to stop as much and there is no sweating.
But my stroke was caused by undiagnosed thyroid cancer which caused the AF. 4 days in hospital I was given a carotid arteries scan. During the scan the lass said she checks thyroid,"oops you have a shadow on your thyroid so I'l get the boss to look".
I take Diltiazem 120mg AM to contro H/R Day
and
Bisoprolol 2.5mg PM to control BP.
Taking too high dose of a BB when you have AF research says it is not helpful.
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