Cardioversion

[Frank10]

Has anyone had cardioversion. If so how did you feel after and what is recovery time

[jeanjeannie50]

I've had several and can assure you there's nothing to them and this 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 around 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, 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! You need to have someone with you for the next 24hrs and are told not to sign anything 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.

Best wishes

Jean

[Frank10 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you. Very informative and reassuring to hear this. Thank you for replying

[Motorman]

I woke up during the actual electric shock, I did feel it a bit but not bad, I then went back to sleep and woke up in sinus rythm. Its stayed in sinus for 2 years so far.

[LBCdance]

Would just endorse what jeanjeannie has said. Sounds major but feels routine and matter of face, and so easy. Good luck.

[Gm24]

Simple procedure. One of the easy ones. All the best.

[Zac11]

I had one. No side effects, put me back in rhythm, but only for 7 months. As I felt no benefit though, and no worse when I went back into AF, cardiologist said there was little point in having another cv.

[Driver11]

Hi cardioversion in Sep , only after effect was the areas were the paddles go, front and back. They felt like sore sunburn for a day or two but after that back to normal

[Palpman]

I've had chemical cardioversions 4 times and all were successful for a few months.

[Diddyd]

Reasonably straight forward although was still anxious prior to it! Nice team of medics put me on a bed and placed ecg wires/ blood pressure monitor and pads on body. Then given sedation which sent me to sleep. Woke up in a recovery part with slight sun burn soreness to chest but nothing more and in NSR. My feet were actually warm for a change too!

Got dressed and moved to waiting area to have a cup of tea and biscuits. Then went home.

I wondered why I had been so fearful after this experience as it was really ok. I guess that’s human nature though and the fear of the unknown. Hopefully people sharing their experiences will help.

[Peugeot207pwv]

Sadly everyone I know has had it believes it to be a ‘temporary fix’ and went back into AF between 1 day and a few months.. I refused due to my severe anxiety issues and although I am in AF 24\7 I have been managing it without intervention for 2 years!

[Prothy]

Hi Frank10,

I agree with JeanJeannie50, nothing to worry about. Although, I had bad burn marks, one on my front and one on my back afterwards. Where the paddles were placed I guessing! I do have wry sensitive skin though to be honest.