Riverliffey

[Riverliffey]

I have AF and heart failure and will be having cardioversion very soon. If the cardioversion is successful, will that help with the heart failure? Thank you for this very helpful site

[BobD Volunteer]

It is possible. Stopping AF and maintaining a good normal rhythm (controlled under 100 bpm) can allow the heart to recover.

[Riverliffey in reply to BobD]

Thank you, good to hear

[Riverliffey in reply to BobD]

thank you, good to hear

[richardph]

It might do. I had severe HF (EF 25-30%), improving to 50% with the normal HF drugs, but after a successful cardioversion it went up to a normal 63%, so effectively no more HF.

[Riverliffey in reply to richardph]

Something to hope for! Thank you

[Butterfly65 in reply to richardph]

How long did that take from diagnosis? You're very lucky, because as you must know, not all can increase their EF's so remain in HF but I expect it's down to several things such as how low initial EF was, how much heart damage was done prior to diagnosis & whether we have comorbidities.

I've been on lowest dose of Entresto for a couple of months but still feel wiped out.

Also some assume that once you're out of HF you can stop taking meds but I was told my meds were for life no matter how high my EF increased & that our hearts would soon deteriorate if we stopped taking them.

[richardph in reply to Butterfly65]

Yes, I was indeed lucky. My treatment started when I had a stroke, which was probably a few months before the AF started. I don't know exactly, because I only recognised the symptoms the AF was diagnosed. The cardioversion was about six months after my stroke, so I was probably in AF for 9 or 10 months in total.

Both my EP and HF consultant said there was no other obvious case for the HF, but it was impossible to say for sure whether the AF caused the HF or v.v.. However, the cardioversion was as much a diagnosis as a treatment, and the fact that fixing the AF also fixed the HF strongly suggests the AF caused the HF.

But my case is just one anecdote and doesn't say anything about any other individual.

[Butterfly65 in reply to richardph]

I too was told they didn't know if the HF caused the A-fib or vv but I think more likely Afib caused the heart damage but will never know. My initial echo result was 23% EF with both left & right ventricle damage, plus damage, severe to moderate, to Mitral & Tricuspid valves that are regurgitating.

Had an MRI at Papworth last October but images were very blurred due to constant A-fib but was told my EF had increased to 34%.

However, In November/ December I was really poorly for around 6 weeks with the flu, which may have knocked me back.

Hadn't had the flu or even a bad cold for years until after diagnosis last year.

I've not seen an EP yet, just a cardiologist & HF nurses.

Have a cardioversion booked on Wednesday, obviously really hoping to get the same results you did, but have been warned it might not work or last for very long.

I'm also on Bisoprolol which I'm certain has greatly contributed to the extreme fatigue I've had.

Did you have persistent A-fib?

[Simon_P in reply to Butterfly65]

So you finally got your date. Good luck for Wednesday everything will be fine I'm sure. I'm still in NSR almost 3 weeks post cardioversion now and feeling great.

[Butterfly65 in reply to Simon_P]

Yes thanks.

Pleased for you Simon, may it continue.

[Riverliffey in reply to Butterfly65]

I was diagnosed in late September, my AF was triggered by a truly frightening bout of pneumonia which almost saw me off! Further investigation found heart failure. I have been extremely well looked after, monitored fortnightly at my GP. Surgery and seen twice by hospital cardio surgeon. I am on quite a lot of medication but very happy to be so well looked after,

[Butterfly65]

Good luck. I have both HF (dilated cardiomyopathy) & persistent afib too with a low EF.

Will be having my first cardioversion this coming Wednesday.

I was told by cardiologist & HF nurse that both a-fib & HF worsen each other.

We can't compare our symptoms to those who have lone afib or lone HF.

I was also told that having both HF & persistent A-fib reduced the odds of me converting back to NSR or remaining there for very long, but you never know because we're all so very different,

so whilst I'm aware of the odds, I still have a bit of hope but won't be too disappointed if it doesn't work.

Being back In NSR can only be a good thing for our damaged hearts that I'm certain would greatly benefit from beating normally again.

When do you have your cardioversion?

[Riverliffey in reply to Butterfly65]

on April 10. Good luck with yours, please keep us posted. I will do the same .

[Butterfly65 in reply to Riverliffey]

Will do. 🤞🤞

[pusillanimous in reply to Butterfly65]

I just can't get my head around why you have to book for a cardioversion so far in advance. I no longer live in the UK, but in South Africa - granted the health system is different, but cardioversions which are quick and uncomplicated, are given on an 'as needed' basis -no hospital stay required. When my AF was initially diagnosed by my GP, I was immediately sent to a Cardiologist with the possibility of undergoing a Cardioversion, however, by the time I got to him, I was back in NSR - but kept in hospital for two nights for observation. I had a Cardioversion six months later, when I went for a check up and the Cardiologist found I was in AF, so gave me the option of being admitted there and then for the procedure. This I accepted, he did it that afternoon, I converted immediately and got a lift home. I occupied a bed for about six hours while waiting for him to finish seeing patients and attend to me. That was it !

[Butterfly65 in reply to pusillanimous]

It's something I'm going to ask about at my pre-appointment tomorrow.

I'm not sure if my 7 month wait is the norm or If I'd been made to wait until my heart was stronger. Also we don't need an overnight stay in hospital, in & out on the same day.

[Riverliffey in reply to Butterfly65]

I will be very interested to hear the answer to your questions-good luck!

[Butterfly65 in reply to Riverliffey]

I'll keep you posted.

[Butterfly65 in reply to Riverliffey]

Asked yesterday & was told that in my case it was due to my heart being weak. They wanted to wait until my Ef was higher & my ticker was a bit stronger.

[Riverliffey in reply to Butterfly65]

Hopefully not too long

[Butterfly65 in reply to Riverliffey]

Sorry bit confused what you mean because I've already said will be having my first cardioversion tomorrow morning after waiting for just over 7 months. Was told yesterday that the reason I've had to wait longer than normal was because they wanted my heart strength/function to improve. 👍

[Redactrice in reply to pusillanimous]

The NHS has been desperately under-resourced for around 15yrs. I asked my cardiac nurses why I was not offered cardioversion during several trips to A&E for fast AF in the later end of that timeframe. The answer is that the NHS only does emergency cardioversion for life-or-death situations. If it's not that extreme, it gets a referral and a wait. I assumed that was due to a shortage of qualified staff, but apparently the issue is shortage of beds and facilities, not staff. It's not good news, but it did reassure me that the reason I was never offered cardioversion when presenting at A&E is not that my local hospital is slack.

[Riverliffey in reply to Redactrice]

Yes, that is reassuring

[Simon_P]

Hi Riverliffey you condition seems to be the same as mine diagnosed with AF and HF in December 24. I had cardioversion nearly 3 weeks ago and I'm will in NSR. Boy does it make a difference, I didn't realise how poorly I'd been until I was back in NSR for a few days. As for improving EF it's still a waiting game I'm back in with cardio nurse on 28th April and waiting a date for a future Echocariograph so fingers crossed. Hope everything goes well with your cardioversion stay in touch

[Riverliffey in reply to Simon_P]

I will, thank you! And good luck

[Butterfly65 in reply to Simon_P]

"I didn't realise how poorly I'd been until I was back in NSR for a few days." So pleased for you Simon. 🤗

[Fullofheart]

Cardioversions didn't work for me (I'd had AF for 20 years mind) but 5 months after the third time they tried an ablation (all deemed failures) I magically went into sinus rhythm. An MRI following showed EF improved from 40% to 60% so I am no longer in heart failure since rhythm restored.

[Riverliffey in reply to Fullofheart]

Thank you

[JPLivin]

Be Well My Friend... In the last 2 years I have had Pacemaker Implanted, Cardioversion and Finally Heart Ablation.

My Advice Is Simple...

"Be Good To Yourself and Don't Stress..."

Cheers!

Oh Yeah, THINK POSITIVE!!!

[Riverliffey in reply to JPLivin]

Excellent advice and I will do my best to follow it!

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Heart Failure does not mean literally failure.

As I understand it .. it means your heart is not perfect with some identifying issues. To be able to have a cardioversion means that you do not have structural heart damage which I have.

That's good news.

Fingers crossed that the cardioversion puts you back into normal sinus.

cheri JOY. 76. (NZ)

[Butterfly65 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

What do you mean by Heart Structural damage JOY? What damage do you have? I have two valves that are not closing properly, one, the tricuspid valve was initially classed as severe with complete loss of closure, the mitral valve was moderate, both are regurgitating.

I also have have severe/moderate damage to both the left & right ventricles. I have dilated cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart but I'm booked in for a cardioversion on Wednesday.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Butterfly65]

Hi

My first ECHO 2021 showed a slight enlargement to the heart. Also severely dilated Left Atrium.

2nd ECHO 2023 showed heart not enlarged but the severe LA. Slightly leaking Aorta but at my age 76 not unusual. Tricuspid slight regurgition. But Systolic action normal.

At a guess it would be the severely dilated LA guged as abnormal.

Ask about your ECHO results with your specialist.

There are always risks in any of these procedures.

cherio JOY

[Riverliffey in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Thanks, I will certainly ask

[Riverliffey]

Thank you so much for that very encouraging response. I wish you the very best of luck with your own issues .

[Alicant]

Same as yourself ..had Cardioversion just over a fortnight ago..feel good ..back into Normal Sinus Rhythm..don’t know if it will last but feel really good..having another Echo to see if anything changed ( was 38% in Feb 24) waited over a year for Cardiologist consultation but he arranged a Cardioversion a week after consultation..so keep going ..All the best

[Riverliffey in reply to Alicant]

And to you, Alicant! I will report back