Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

[SamAdmin]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common rhythm disturbance of the heart which may cause rapid irregular palpitations, chest pain, breathlessness or fatigue. Sometimes it is hardly noticed by the patient. In such cases it is often picked up by routine examination of the pulse listening to the heart or recording an electrocardiogram (ECG).

Please download our booklet form our webpage 'Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation'

UK: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

US: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to contact the Patient Services team on [phone] or contact us below

UK: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

US: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi SAM

It must be passed on that those with an ECHO done where the heart is structurally abnormal, dilation or leaky valve then cardioversion, ablation or an anti-arrhythmic med like Flecainade should not be done/given.

That's me so I just sit back and see all the fors and against them.

The med CCB Diltiazem acts as an anti-arrhymic med by slowing down rapid AF hearts. It's working for me. But I can have it as my bottom chamers the Ventricles are normal.

cherio JOY 75 (NZ)

[Soundmike]

Nicely put together information, though i would like to add that those of us with experience of many operations would have valued more information about recovery at home. Last week I left hospital after a cardioversion with just a basic check list 48hrs no driving 72hrs nothing strenuous, experience tells me what to do in recovery but anyone having such operations for the first time in my opinion need more information when leaving hospital.

[DawnTX in reply to Soundmike]

my list did tell me when I could do what regarding movement exercise, etc. even lifting limited to 5 pounds

you are not considered cured. You simply have your rhythm back for now. Besides the fact, it is pretty much a Band-Aid to give your heart a break in my estimation. My first one lasted 3 1/2 weeks. It was wonderful my second one completely failed and it took three tries to pretty much get me back because things went horribly wrong

Common sense should tell you you can’t do everything that you could do before. Baby steps.

[Soundmike in reply to DawnTX]

Suppose I was thinking for people in manual work woth low paid jobs who can't get two weeks off work . Common sense sometimes is helped by having the relevant information especially after your first time operation.