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Atrial Fibrillation and Cardioversion

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carolyn87906
carolyn87906

My husband is 52. He is fit and healthy (other than asthma). He was recently diagnosed with Afib. He has had all the tests etc. and his heart is fine, except for the afib. He scores a zero on the stroke risk test. He doesn't have high bp or anything but this irregular heartbeat. The cardiologist wants him to have cardioversion. Had anyone else in a situation like his had this done? It seems so "violent"!  I have been doing some research and it looks like there is a high probability that it will come back in the months after the procedure. We are going to meet with the specialists that do this procedure in the next few weeks. I am looking for info from people that have had it done. I am afraid that it will kill him. I realize there is a risk of stroke with afib, but he is taking the aspirin and like I said scored a zero on the stroke risk assessment......we don't know what to do. Our family dr. didn't tell him to do it, or not do it. She said when we meet with the specialists we will be able to caculate the risk vs benefits...He currently has no symptoms of anything. What should we do!?!?!?! We are also bothered by the heavy duty thinners he has to take leading up to, and after the procedure. He plays hockey and the cardiologist said he would need to not take them for 3 days before each hockey game, which is weird bc he plays weekly....this is frustrating bc at least with some medical issues there are symptoms/problems etc and you have a procedure done and feel better. He feels fine, but they want him to do this....anyone have any imput for us? Much appreciated, Carolyn

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  • simon56380
    simon56380 carolyn87906

    Posted

    I'm 51 and have been cardioverted 5times in the last two and a half years. Cardioversions is not that big a deal (in my opinion at least).

    The longer your husband  remains in Afib, the more likely he is to stay in Afib.

     

    • carolyn87906
      carolyn87906 simon56380

      Posted

      Thanks for that, that makes me feel better. It is constant but also new in the past year. No symptoms at all. just find it weird that the cardioversion doesn't seem too "stick".....

    • simon56380
      simon56380 carolyn87906

      Posted

      There are are many variables and everyone is different. My first one was six weeks after having heart failure and lasted a couple of days. Was put on some strong (potentially very nasty meds called amioderone) and was cardioverted a couple of weeks later-this lasted almost a year.

      I them jumped out three times in six weeks, it was pretty clear that meds weren't going to keep me in rhythm anymore, so had an ablation in April 2016 to burn and isolate the offending source of the incorrect electrical impulses (the four pulmonary veins at the back of the left atrium).

      All has been fine so far, am off blood thinners and only on very low dose mads and feeling completely normal.

      have had to address all my addressable AF risk factors and make some lifestyle adjustments but it's not all bad(no more hangovers!!)

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