Tips on maintaining normal sinus rhythm after cardioversion

[Guest guest]

My husband had a cardioversion last week after at least 10 weeks atrial

fibrillation.

He was told not to drive for 24 hours, and to be a couch potato for 2 days.

He went to work on the third day, and it was too much for him.

He was off the fourth day and went to work on the fifth day, and he was fine.

He was told not to have stimulants such as alcohol and coffee (and probably

chocolate also).

I have since read that after cardioversion, where the atrial chamber is

returning to normal size, there is .significant healing going on.

Considering my surprise that my husband needed 4 days off after the

cardioversion, I suspect that he has healing going on yet and we are watching

that he get enough sleep, etc. so as to have the best chance of staying in

normal sinus rhythm.

Does anyone have more ideas or tips on how to stay in normal sinus rhythm after

cardioversion?

Right after the cardioversion, his heart rate was 57. Now his heart rate is at

51, but he feels O.K., except he thinks he might feel a little less tired with a

higher heart rate. We suspect that the Sotalol he is taking is keeping his

heart rate down. Should we tell the doctor he has a rate of 51?

Jo Anne

Waiting to see a specialist (ine)

Thanks for your response - I`m a newbie to problems with AF - started

3 years ago my meds. worked good until the last fews months. 4 times

they have tried to convert with meds. not always successful and one

cardioversion, but like you when converted it`s short-lived.....

n

Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com

List owner: AFIBsupport-owner

For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email,

send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help

Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be

acted upon without consultation with one's physician.

[Guest guest]

Hi JoAnne,

I am not clear on what kind of healing might be going on after a

cardioversion. No tissue has been affected, to my understanding. This is an

electrical

shock which works on the electricalrhythm of the heart, it is entirely

external, unlike an ablation which actually burns or cauterizes or freezes

tissue.

After my cardioversion which has now lasted more than 9 months, I was told

to go forth and do whatever. My EP did not even tell me to go home and take a

nap. I was not on antiarrhytymics, such as Sotalol, either - just beta

blockers. But each of us is different. As for staying in NSR after

cardioversion...I think avoiding triggers is important whether or not one has

had a

cardioversion, but other than that, I think it's frankly the luck of the draw

and how your heart works that determines how long you remain in NSR. It is easy

to say and hard to do...but worrying about staying in NSR and focusing on

staying in NSR is a good way to increase stress, which is not good for staying

in NSR.

Lil

In a message dated 5/3/2006 3:45:03 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

jakarasek@... writes:

I have since read that after cardioversion, where the atrial chamber is

returning to normal size, there is .significant healing going on.

Considering my surprise that my husband needed 4 days off after the

cardioversion, I suspect that he has healing going on yet and we are watching

that he

get enough sleep, etc. so as to have the best chance of staying in normal

sinus rhythm.

Does anyone have more ideas or tips on how to stay in normal sinus rhythm

after cardioversion?

Right after the cardioversion, his heart rate was 57. Now his heart rate is

at 51, but he feels O.K., except he thinks he might feel a little less tired

with a higher heart rate. We suspect that the Sotalol he is taking is

keeping his heart rate down. Should we tell the doctor he has a rate of 51?

[Guest guest]

To answer your question about the bradycardia (slow heart rate), if he is not

having symptoms such as dizziness, blackouts, weakness, the slow heart rate is

not a problem. Second, the cardioversion doesnt have much to do with " healing "

of the atrium. It is not good for the heart to be in chronic atrial

fibrillation and over time the heart can enlarge leading to heart failure.

However, the enlarge atrium usually preceeds the atrial fib...leading to the

condition.

...

J jakarasek@...> wrote:

My husband had a cardioversion last week after at least 10 weeks atrial

fibrillation.

He was told not to drive for 24 hours, and to be a couch potato for 2 days.

He went to work on the third day, and it was too much for him.

He was off the fourth day and went to work on the fifth day, and he was fine.

He was told not to have stimulants such as alcohol and coffee (and probably

chocolate also).

I have since read that after cardioversion, where the atrial chamber is

returning to normal size, there is .significant healing going on.

Considering my surprise that my husband needed 4 days off after the

cardioversion, I suspect that he has healing going on yet and we are watching

that he get enough sleep, etc. so as to have the best chance of staying in

normal sinus rhythm.

Does anyone have more ideas or tips on how to stay in normal sinus rhythm after

cardioversion?

Right after the cardioversion, his heart rate was 57. Now his heart rate is at

51, but he feels O.K., except he thinks he might feel a little less tired with a

higher heart rate. We suspect that the Sotalol he is taking is keeping his

heart rate down. Should we tell the doctor he has a rate of 51?

Jo Anne

Waiting to see a specialist (ine)

Thanks for your response - I`m a newbie to problems with AF - started

3 years ago my meds. worked good until the last fews months. 4 times

they have tried to convert with meds. not always successful and one

cardioversion, but like you when converted it`s short-lived.....

n

Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com

List owner: AFIBsupport-owner

For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email,

send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help

Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be

acted upon without consultation with one's physician.

[Guest guest]

Thats great that it has been over 9 months after the cardioversion!!!

I will be going for one of them in a couple of weeks if this keeps up.

How long were you in AFib before you got converted ? I am about 6

hours away from being in A-Fib for 3 solid weeks. Its only the 4th

time in my life I have had A-Fib but its the longest. the previous

longest was only 18 hours. Is 3 weeks " common " ?

Thanks to everyone as usual.

[Guest guest]

, thank you for mentioning the dizziness, blackouts and weakness. My

husband will watch out for that.

But the more I think about this, I'll ask my husband about calling the doctor

tomorrow mainly because his heart rate is going down from 57 right after the

cardioversion to 51 six days later. That Sotalol may be causing this.

Jo Anne

Re: Tips on maintaining normal sinus rhythm after

cardioversion

To answer your question about the bradycardia (slow heart rate), if he is not

having symptoms such as dizziness, blackouts, weakness, the slow heart rate is

not a problem. Second, the cardioversion doesnt have much to do with " healing "

of the atrium. It is not good for the heart to be in chronic atrial

fibrillation and over time the heart can enlarge leading to heart failure.

However, the enlarge atrium usually preceeds the atrial fib...leading to the

condition.

...

[Guest guest]

A Heart rate of 51 is slow, but not of great concern unless he is having

symptoms. The cardiologist may want to put your husband on a holter monitor to

see if it's getting lower than that at any time. Sotolol will slow the heart

rate down. Is he on any other rate controlling medications such as toprolol,

metoprolol, atenolol, digoxin, amiodarone etc?

...christine

J jakarasek@...> wrote:

, thank you for mentioning the dizziness, blackouts and weakness. My

husband will watch out for that.

But the more I think about this, I'll ask my husband about calling the doctor

tomorrow mainly because his heart rate is going down from 57 right after the

cardioversion to 51 six days later. That Sotalol may be causing this.

Jo Anne

Re: Tips on maintaining normal sinus rhythm after

cardioversion

To answer your question about the bradycardia (slow heart rate), if he is not

having symptoms such as dizziness, blackouts, weakness, the slow heart rate is

not a problem. Second, the cardioversion doesnt have much to do with " healing "

of the atrium. It is not good for the heart to be in chronic atrial

fibrillation and over time the heart can enlarge leading to heart failure.

However, the enlarge atrium usually preceeds the atrial fib...leading to the

condition.

...

[Guest guest]

I have read that IF the atrial fibrillation is what is causing the enlargement

of the atrium, then when the atrial fibrillation is stopped, the enlargement

goes down. My husband had mild enlargement of the atrium when diagnosed. About

3 weeks before, he was exposed to a chemical for about a week that caused him a

lot of problems. We have a hope that chemical was what caused the atrial

fibrillation and that the cardioversion can cure him. If what we hope is the

case, then I believe that there would have to be a healing of the atrium.

Because my husband seems to have a chance at getting rid of these problem, we

want to be careful to protect his " chance " . I believe in " forewarned is

forearmed " .

Worrying is to get us to do what we need for ourselves. (When there is nothing

more to be done, we shouldn't allow ourselves to worry.) I trust that my

husband will inevitably, as we all do, have much worse stresses in his life than

trying to figure out what to protect his NSR while he is healing. I suppose if

he were an obsessive, which he is not, then he could worry himself into

sickness.

Jo Anne

Re: Tips on maintaining normal sinus rhythm after

cardioversion

Hi JoAnne,

I am not clear on what kind of healing might be going on after a

cardioversion. No tissue has been affected, to my understanding. This is an

electrical

shock which works on the electricalrhythm of the heart, it is entirely

external, unlike an ablation which actually burns or cauterizes or freezes

tissue.

After my cardioversion which has now lasted more than 9 months, I was told

to go forth and do whatever. My EP did not even tell me to go home and take a

nap. I was not on antiarrhytymics, such as Sotalol, either - just beta

blockers. But each of us is different. As for staying in NSR after

cardioversion...I think avoiding triggers is important whether or not one has

had a

cardioversion, but other than that, I think it's frankly the luck of the draw

and how your heart works that determines how long you remain in NSR. It is

easy

to say and hard to do...but worrying about staying in NSR and focusing on

staying in NSR is a good way to increase stress, which is not good for staying

in NSR.

Lil

In a message dated 5/3/2006 3:45:03 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

jakarasek@... writes:

I have since read that after cardioversion, where the atrial chamber is

returning to normal size, there is .significant healing going on.

Considering my surprise that my husband needed 4 days off after the

cardioversion, I suspect that he has healing going on yet and we are watching

that he

get enough sleep, etc. so as to have the best chance of staying in normal

sinus rhythm.

Does anyone have more ideas or tips on how to stay in normal sinus rhythm

after cardioversion?

Right after the cardioversion, his heart rate was 57. Now his heart rate is

at 51, but he feels O.K., except he thinks he might feel a little less tired

with a higher heart rate. We suspect that the Sotalol he is taking is

keeping his heart rate down. Should we tell the doctor he has a rate of 51?

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much, .

No, my husband is only on Sotalol and warfarin.

There is a condition known as Sotalol-induced bradycardia.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7\

787496&dopt=Abstract

Jo Anne

Re: Tips on maintaining normal sinus rhythm after

cardioversion

To answer your question about the bradycardia (slow heart rate), if he is

not having symptoms such as dizziness, blackouts, weakness, the slow heart rate

is not a problem. Second, the cardioversion doesnt have much to do with

" healing " of the atrium. It is not good for the heart to be in chronic atrial

fibrillation and over time the heart can enlarge leading to heart failure.

However, the enlarge atrium usually preceeds the atrial fib...leading to the

condition.

...

[Guest guest]

Yes, sotolol can induce bradycardia just as the other meds I mentioned....it

slows the conduction of electrical impulses from that go through the AV node to

the ventricles (bottom part of the heart) , slows the refractory period of the

both the atrium and ventricles (the time between a contraction and the ability

of the tissues to generate another contraction), and " quiets " the accessory

pathways (areas that are sending electrical signals inappropriately and in the

wrong direction), and lowers cardiac output and blood pressure - again this is a

very simplified description of action.

Your husband's dose may need to be decreased. It's wise to consult with his

doc.

....christine

J jakarasek@...> wrote:

Thank you very much, .

No, my husband is only on Sotalol and warfarin.

There is a condition known as Sotalol-induced bradycardia.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7\

787496&dopt=Abstract

Jo Anne

Re: Tips on maintaining normal sinus rhythm after

cardioversion

To answer your question about the bradycardia (slow heart rate), if he is

not having symptoms such as dizziness, blackouts, weakness, the slow heart rate

is not a problem. Second, the cardioversion doesnt have much to do with

" healing " of the atrium. It is not good for the heart to be in chronic atrial

fibrillation and over time the heart can enlarge leading to heart failure.

However, the enlarge atrium usually preceeds the atrial fib...leading to the

condition.

...

[Guest guest]

Jo Anne, The Sotolol has beta blocking action and can slow the heart. I think

you said that you husband is also on a beta blocker also.

J jakarasek@...> wrote: But the more I think about this, I'll ask my

husband about calling the doctor tomorrow mainly because his heart rate is going

down from 57 right after the cardioversion to 51 six days later. That Sotalol

may be causing this.

Jo Anne

[Guest guest]

prior to my PVI my heart rate on Atenelol (100 mg) and Tikosyn (750), was

frequently in the upper 40s and low 50's while " active " ... my cardio thought an

active heart rate of 48 was a bit low, but because I never had any problems with

it, they mostly left it alone with the idea that a slow heart was less likely to

fib. Not sure that was so, though.

Now that I've had a PVI, my heart rate is in the upper 50s sometimes, but

mostly in the 65 to 67 range... I'm still on tons of meds, though, so am

curious to see what it will finally settle out at once I'm off them all.

I would not be at all concerned with a heart rate of 51 unless I was blacking

out or getting light headed/dizzy.

Stef

Carroll carroll_chris2@...> wrote:

A Heart rate of 51 is slow, but not of great concern unless he is having

symptoms. The cardiologist may want to put your husband on a holter monitor to

see if it's getting lower than that at any time. Sotolol will slow the heart

rate down. Is he on any other rate controlling medications such as toprolol,

metoprolol, atenolol, digoxin, amiodarone etc?

...christine

J jakarasek@...> wrote:

, thank you for mentioning the dizziness, blackouts and weakness. My

husband will watch out for that.

But the more I think about this, I'll ask my husband about calling the doctor

tomorrow mainly because his heart rate is going down from 57 right after the

cardioversion to 51 six days later. That Sotalol may be causing this.

Jo Anne

[Guest guest]

- just to add to the good vibes.. I had a 6 week episode of poorly rate

controlled afib, followed by a cardioversion, which resulted in NSR for 15

months straight. I was also put on Tikosyn, which I'm sure helped. But it's

possible.. very possible, to have a good outcome after weeks of afib.

Stef

Stefano stevep7171@...> wrote:

Thats great that it has been over 9 months after the cardioversion!!!

I will be going for one of them in a couple of weeks if this keeps up.

How long were you in AFib before you got converted ? I am about 6

hours away from being in A-Fib for 3 solid weeks. Its only the 4th

time in my life I have had A-Fib but its the longest. the previous

longest was only 18 hours. Is 3 weeks " common " ?

Thanks to everyone as usual.

[Guest guest]

I can see a few days recovery after 10 weeks of afib.. after my 6 week episode I

felt that my heart needed time to remember how to beat normally, and was flakey

for a while.. felt like it was so sensitive that it could pop into afib at any

moment! And if your husband didn't have really good rate control, then the 10

weeks would have made his heart simply tired... it's a muscle after all!

I go for a cardioversion so quickly now that by the time the anesthesia has

worn off, I'm begging to be let go. I drive myself there and I drive myself

home feeling great! My record for in and out of the ER is one hour and 50

minutes. Love that ER doc!

Staying out of afib is tough.. if you know your triggers, you can try to avoid

them, but unfortunately the list of real triggers is usually much longer than

what you probably know. You can get to the point where you are avoiding alot of

stuff in life because it " might " trigger afib, and that's no way to live. I

never had a problem with alcohol, but alot of people do. I gave up caffeine

complete (although not chocolate). My big triggers for a while were drinking

cold liquids, and getting dehydrated. Then I would go into afib if I got choked

up during a poingnant movie scene, and then it was for no particular reason at

all.. got very frustrating! During my worst stretch I was avoiding everything

here that the combined group seems to avoid, just in case.. in hind sight it did

no good at all and I continued to fib every few days!

Eating properly, sleeping enough, exercising, avoiding stress, enjoying life..

those are the things I would recommend for staying in NSR.

Stef

J jakarasek@...> wrote:

My husband had a cardioversion last week after at least 10 weeks atrial

fibrillation.

He was told not to drive for 24 hours, and to be a couch potato for 2 days.

He went to work on the third day, and it was too much for him.

He was off the fourth day and went to work on the fifth day, and he was fine.

He was told not to have stimulants such as alcohol and coffee (and probably

chocolate also).

I have since read that after cardioversion, where the atrial chamber is

returning to normal size, there is .significant healing going on.

Considering my surprise that my husband needed 4 days off after the

cardioversion, I suspect that he has healing going on yet and we are watching

that he get enough sleep, etc. so as to have the best chance of staying in

normal sinus rhythm.

Does anyone have more ideas or tips on how to stay in normal sinus rhythm after

cardioversion?

Right after the cardioversion, his heart rate was 57. Now his heart rate is at

51, but he feels O.K., except he thinks he might feel a little less tired with a

higher heart rate. We suspect that the Sotalol he is taking is keeping his

heart rate down. Should we tell the doctor he has a rate of 51?

Jo Anne