The cardioversion is not a huge deal and if it will help you feel better you should consider it. If you were one of my parents I would be lobbying heavily foro you to do the cardioversion.
Also, are you currently on coumadin or other blood thinner to reduce the risk of a clot forming? I lost my Dad a year ago because he didn't watch his coumadin level and it got low and he had a series of strokes. I am not trying to scare you but you need to be aware of the risk if you are not already. A-fib can cause clots to form and if one of them is kicked out you could be in for some serious trouble.
Cardioversion is not bad. It is normally an outpatient procedure (although at 80 I am not entirely sure if it would be for you) and is usually done under what they call "conscious sedation". They give you a pre-op shot of versed or some such and you feel SOOOOOO mellow. Then they stick electrodes to you chest and back on the left side. Finally they give you something to make you "go away" and you wake up after it's done. No biggie.
As I said, if you were my Mom or Dad I would be lobbying heavily for you having the procedure. If it doesn't work or if your heart doesn't stay in normal sinus long, at least you tried.
You might want to be aware of one thing, though. Cardioversion CAN cause some very minor 1st degree burns. As I said, it's minor and any decent sunburn cream will help the discomfort a lot. I just didn't want you to be surprised like I was.
Good luck. Keep us posted.
Bionic Bill
I feel okay but a cardiologist recommended one cardioversion. Iam trying to make the decision.
Hi Segal1,
What does your cardiologist say about living with the Afib? My father-in-law had CABG in 1997, at the age of 80. Several years ago, he developed afib and had to be cardioverted. The procedure worked well. I'm not sure he ever felt the afib...do you feel the arrythmia? It sounds as though you are doing well. That would be GREAT news!
Connie