Cardioversion

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Cardioversion (KAR-d-o-ver-shun) is when a machine called a defibrillator (d-FIB-rih-la-tur) gives a short electric shock to the heart. Special cells inside the heart send electrical impulses to the heart muscles telling the heart to beat. These cells are called pacemaker cells. A normal heart beats about 70 to 80 times a minute. During cardioversion, caregivers use a machine called a defibrillator (d-FIB-rih-la-tur) to give a short electric shock to the heart. This shock is given at a certain time during the heartbeat to help your heartbeat return to normal.
  
  
• The heart has 4 chambers or rooms called the right and left atria (A-tree-uh) and ventricles (VEN-trik-ulls). Blood vessels bring blood from your body to the right atrium in your heart. The blood moves into the right ventricle where it is pumped into the lungs to get oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood goes into the left atrium and down into the left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps the blood out to the body where the oxygen can be used.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• Aspirin to stop blood clots: Aspirin helps thin the blood to keep blood clots from forming. If caregivers tell you to take aspirin, do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead. Do not take more or less aspirin than caregivers say to take.
  
  
• Heart Medicine: You may be given heart medicine to make your heart beat better or more regularly. There are many different kinds of heart medicines. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your medicine is and why you are taking it.
  
  
• Blood thinners: Blood thinners are medicines that help prevent clots from forming in the blood. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Blood thinners may cause you to bleed or bruise more easily. Do the following if you are taking a blood thinner:
  
  
  • Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose, or in your urine or BMs.
    
    
  • Use a soft washcloth on your skin and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. Doing this can keep your skin and gums from bleeding.
    
    
  • Tell your dentist before dental cleanings, and other caregivers before other procedures, that you take blood thinning medicine.
    
    
  • If you shave, use an electric shaver.
    
    
  • Do not play contact sports since you may bleed or bruise easily.
    
    
  • Wear a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace that says you are taking a blood thinner medicine. You may get one from your local drugstore or contact the MedicAlert Foundation.

When is my next medical appointment?

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

When can I do my normal activities?

• You may feel like resting more after the cardioversion. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
  
  
• Avoid lifting heavy objects.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver when you can start driving, and return to work or school.
  
  
• You may have sex when you feel ready. Stop if it causes pain. Talk to your caregiver if you have questions or concerns.

What can I eat after my cardioversion?

• You may be told to eat foods that are low in fat. Ask for the "Low Fat Diet" CareNotes™ handout for more information.
  
  
• You may also be told to limit the amount of salt you eat. This may mean you should not add salt to your food during meals or when you cook.
  
  
• It can take time getting used to a new diet. Special cookbooks may help the cook in the family find new recipes.

Wellness hints:

• Eating and drinking:
  
  
  • Eat a variety of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you have more energy and heal faster. Ask your caregiver if you need to be on a special diet.
    
    
  • Men 19 years old and older should drink about 3.0 Liters of liquid each day (close to 13 eight-ounce cups). Women 19 years old and older should drink about 2.2 Liters of liquid each day (close to 9 eight-ounce cups). Follow your caregiver's advice if you must change the amount of liquid you drink. For most people, good liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. If you are used to drinking liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee, these can also be counted in your daily liquid amount. Try to drink enough liquid each day, and not just when you feel thirsty.
  
  
• Start exercising: Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising. Together you can plan the best exercise program for you. It is best to start slowly and do more as you get stronger. Exercising can help make your heart stronger, lower your blood pressure, and keep you healthy.
  
  
• Quit smoking: It is never too late to quit smoking. Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.
  
  
• Avoid stress: Stress may slow healing and cause illness. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing. Talk to your caregiver about things that upset you.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have chills, a cough, or feel weak and achy. These are signs that you may have an infection.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms. This may mean you are allergic (uh-LER-jik) to your medicine.
  
  
• You have chest pain, palpitations, faintness, or other new or unexplained symptoms.
  
  
• Your heart problems symptoms return or get worse.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your heart problem, cardioversion, or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have trouble breathing all of a sudden. This could be a sign that you have a blood clot in your lung. It could also mean that you are allergic to a medicine you are taking.
  
  
• You feel that your heartbeat is not regular, too fast, or too slow.
  
  
• You have 1 or more of these signs or symptoms of a stroke. These signs and symptoms may happen all of a sudden:
  
  
  • A very bad headache.
    
    
  • Trouble walking or loss of balance. Also if you are too dizzy to walk.
    
    
  • Weakness or numbness in your arm, leg, or face, especially on one side of your body.
    
    
  • Confusion and have trouble speaking or understanding things.
    
    
  • Cannot see out of one or both of your eyes.
    
    
  • This is an emergency. Call 911 or 0 (operator) for an ambulance to get to the nearest hospital. Do not drive yourself!
  
  
• You have signs of a heart attack:
  
  
  • Chest pain or discomfort that spreads to your arms, jaw, or back.
    
    
  • Unusual, sudden back pain.
    
    
  • Nausea (sick to your stomach).
    
    
  • Trouble breathing.
    
    
  • Sweating.
    
    
  • Lips or nailbeds that turn blue or white in color.
    
    
  • This is an emergency. Call 911 or 0 (operator) for an ambulance to get to the nearest hospital or clinic. Do not drive yourself!

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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