Gransnet forums

Health

What is a cardioversion?

(34 Posts)
ExDancer Sat 08-Jan-22 14:57:48

Is a cardioversion the procedure where your heart is stopped and then restarted again?
Dr Google just says that the heart is shocked into regaining its normal rhythm, but DH's friend has told him his heart will be stopped and that if he can't be shocked 'back to life' he will die.
Understandably he's considering refusing the treatment.
I'm certain his consultant will have explained it to him, but he has a tendency to not really listen on these occasions, and as he adamantly refuses to let me attend consultations with him I can only go on what I read in his referral letters.
He hates anything medical, preferring to ignore ill health on the grounds that it'll just 'go away'. Nine times oit of ten it does go away - but not this time.
He'll be 83 in April.

Shandy57 Wed 12-Jan-22 16:25:42

If he does have the op ExDancer I do recommend protecting your husband from all stress.

My husband had just had it done when we went on his 60ieth birthday treat, a Christmas lunch with the kids on the Northern Belle train. When we returned from the trip late at night we had two minutes warning our train home had changed to a platform some distance away. Just walking fast unfortunately reversed the op.

ExDancer Wed 12-Jan-22 14:39:44

I missed your post Visgirl.
You were right about the BUPA information Peasblossom, its there in black and white 'the heart is not stopped' is what it says. Odd that they would give out wrong information.

The 'friend' who gave my husband the heeby geebies had it done and it didn't work. He woke up in agony with his shoulder feeling as though it was dislocated (although an xray proved it wasn't). He still finds using his R arm difficult and has to brush his hair with his left arm and (too much information coming) ditto with cleaning himself after toileting!
DH picked up his tablets this morning which is a good sign.

Visgir1 Sun 09-Jan-22 18:49:29

I have already posted about this as I had one on Sept.
I'm also a Cardiac Physiologist and being treated in my workplace was interesting to see it from the patients side.
The Defibrillator is set to give the shock on the R wave (ECG's are identified as P, Q, R, S, T waves) hence making them easier to read. The R wave is the trigger point and safest defection to re boot the Heart.
It's quick and easy and really not a problem. The heart is Not stopped.

merlotgran Sun 09-Jan-22 18:41:33

I had a cardioversion last May after eight days in hospital with unexplained tachycardia. It worked first time and I immediately felt much better although they did keep me in for two more days as a precaution.

I’m now on regular medication which will hopefully prevent a recurrence.

ElaineI Sun 09-Jan-22 18:39:12

Your heart is not stopped and restarted. It is shocked into a a more normal rhythm. I am an ex nurse and have assisted at this. There are risks which will be explained but there would be a greater risk leaving it as it is.

Shandy57 Sun 09-Jan-22 18:20:19

Show your DH's 'friend' ExDancer. This type of misinformation is very damaging and he shouldn't be repeating it to anyone else. Best of luck to your DH, I hope it works for him.

Peasblossom Sun 09-Jan-22 13:49:17

It was false information, I’m afraid?

ExDancer Sun 09-Jan-22 13:47:06

I've just looked at the BUPA page myself. Thank you Peasblossom it does say in black and white, "the heart does not stop". You have put my mind at rest.
I did wonder how people who'd had it done knew their heart had stopped if they are unconscious at the time, did their consultant tell them so?

Peasblossom Sun 09-Jan-22 13:36:18

Sorry about that. I’ll post it again.

Peasblossom Sun 09-Jan-22 10:42:18

The above is from the BUPA website.

ExDancer Sun 09-Jan-22 10:39:43

Sorry - thought I was pressing the 'delete' button but hit 'enter'

I did look on the British heart foundation site before I posted. It doesn't say the heart is stopped, neither does it say the heart is NOT stopped, but once the suggestion is in your mind its a horrifying thought, even though everyone says it's very safe.

He hasn't even got his blood thinning meds from his GP yet, so I guess it'll be at least 6 weeks before it's done at the earliest (if its done at all with the non-urgent cases being postponed now).

Kali2 Sun 09-Jan-22 10:37:13

ExDancer

Thank you all for bothering to replynow I'm truly confused.

Don't worry- it is a very safe procedure, and is very effective- but does not always work first time, and sometimes not. But it is a true life saver, and really worth a try. As said, OH has it it done, and has done it himself many times.

Peasblossom Sun 09-Jan-22 10:33:29

That’s what I was afraid of. Please do your own research at the sites I’ve suggested. The Internet is full of self appointed experts. I could be one of them?

ExDancer Sun 09-Jan-22 10:30:43

Thank you all for bothering to replynow I'm truly confused.

Peasblossom Sun 09-Jan-22 10:16:19

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Peasblossom Sat 08-Jan-22 23:10:03

“On pump” ablation stops the heart. Some ablation procedures do not.

Cardio version does not stop the heart.

Please OP look at medical sites such as British Heart Foundation, British Medical Association, NHS and even BUPA to get accurate information. They will all tell you the heart is not stopped in cardio version.

I think these can be relied upon to be accurate.

Shandy57 Sat 08-Jan-22 22:09:48

My husband had AF and had this procedure three times, it only worked on the third attempt.

Unfortunately in his case it only lasted for five days.

Msida Sat 08-Jan-22 21:57:18

Cardioversion is a medical procedure by which an abnormally fast heart rate or other cardiac arrhythmia is converted to a normal rhythm using electricity or drugs

Deedaa Sat 08-Jan-22 21:43:33

My son in law has had it done several times over the last few years. Always came back from hospital looking and feeling as if he'd been kicked in the chest by a mule. It never worked for long for him and he's had two ablations as well (when they burn away the part of the heart that is causing the problem) fortunately the last one seems to have worked so far.

Dr. Xand Van Tullekan had to have an ablation after Covid sent him into AF. We saw Chris, his twin, in tears waiting foe his heart beat to resume so yes it is stopped.

Kali2 Sat 08-Jan-22 21:28:30

Sorry to hear Aveline- OH had it done about 6 years ago and it has 'held' - but he also has to be on medication as well.

Kali2 Sat 08-Jan-22 21:26:33

Peasblossom

Oh I guess the British Heart Foundation and the British Medical Assiciation have it wrong then ?

And Kali on the Internet knows better.

No, not me. The one sitting next to me, A Fellow of the Royal College, from a top London medical school, who has had it done, and has done it himself to many in the past. I trust him to know.

Aveline Sat 08-Jan-22 21:12:22

DH had it done and it worked for a short while then reverted. He's in various meds now.

Peasblossom Sat 08-Jan-22 21:08:43

Oh I guess the British Heart Foundation and the British Medical Assiciation have it wrong then ?

And Kali on the Internet knows better.

Kali2 Sat 08-Jan-22 20:35:25

WELL DONE VISGIRL.

Kali2 Sat 08-Jan-22 20:33:46

OH is a doctor and had it done- the heart definitely stops for a very short time during the procedure, this is how it works. And IT WORKS, and it IS VERY SAFE.