FYI for the cognoscenti ... I have a medical procedure tomorrow morning. It sounds scary but it's routine; I've had it done before, in 2000, 2001, and 2022.
My heart has been in atrial fibrillation for at least two months. Cardioversion is the typical procedure for correcting it. It's like a Ctrl-Alt-Del for your heart.
You can watch the animated video if interested. YouTube also has video of patients being zapped.
With luck, I'm discharged by mid-morning.
Sending healing energy ๐ซ for successful outcome Stephen. And quick trip home.
Let us know when itโs over if you can.
@WordsmithFL Best wishes for a painless procedure, and quick recovery!
A friend has been dealing with severe afib for years. Had this procedure in 2022 as well. Just had a newly approved (in the US) treatment from Europe that freezes part of the heart? Too early to tell how it'll work out, but saw him yesterday, said he's feeling almost back to normal, and no afib events for 2 weeks, so he's encouraged.
@kay_dub Yeah, the cardiologist mentioned the ablation procedure to me. I'm not too thrilled about the idea; they go through the groin up to the heart and either freeze or cauterize the spot in question.
Hopefully tomorrow morning's zap resolves the problem. The ablation is the Plan B if the zap doesn't correct it.
@WordsmithFL That's what it's called! Ablation. He said the first 2 weeks after, he was exhausted, felt like crap, and wasn't sure it was a good choice. But a month later he's feeling better and hopeful.
Hoping the zap gets things back in rhythm.
Worked for my son.
My youngest son has afib. Worries me no end.
His weight, lack of exercise & cigar smoking adds to the anxiety.
No cardiac issues in our family,
@jdtasker @WordsmithFL
Back in the day we had a 22yo male present for a routine reenlistment physical. EKG revealed A-fib, history included 2ppd cigarette/ 8 cup per day coffee use.
Kept in medical ward with monitoring; no smoking, no coffee. After 14 hours, at 3am, patient agitation was high, duty corpsman took him off monitor and into restroom for a quick smoke and cup of coffee.
Upon return to bed, patient had spontaneously cardioverted. Physician not best pleased, but. . . it worked.
Cardioversion successful. Discharge soon.