Cardioversion
Experienced electrophysiologists at Wellstar use cardioversion to restore the heart’s regular rhythm.
Resetting Your Heart Rhythm
Heart rhythm disorders occur when the electrical signals that stimulate your heart to beat don’t travel properly through the heart. This can lead to conditions where your heart beats irregularly or too fast including:
Cardioversion addresses specific types of arrhythmias and restores your regular heartbeat through medication or an electrophysiology procedure that uses quick bursts of low-energy shocks to reset your heart’s rhythm.
Types of cardioversion treatment
A consultation with your cardiologist can help you determine which type of cardioversion treatment is right for you.
Electric cardioversion
Electric cardioversion uses a specialized machine with sensors that stick to your chest. This machine delivers quick, low-energy shocks to your heart to restore the heart’s natural rhythm. The electrophysiologist can immediately see if the procedure is effective.
Chemical cardioversion
Chemical cardioversion involves resetting the heart’s rhythm with the use of prescription medication. Chemical cardioversion typically takes longer to work.
What to expect during electric cardioversion
Once you and your electrophysiologist agree electric cardioversion is the best treatment for you, you may need to complete some additional screening. This typically includes having a transesophageal echocardiogram to ensure there are no blood clots in your heart—blood clots can delay the procedure. You’ll be asleep during electric cardioversion, but the procedure itself only lasts a few minutes.
Several sensors are placed on your chest and back, connecting you to the cardioversion machine. The device records your heart rhythm, sending low-energy shocks to reset your heartbeat. Follow-up is minimal.
Learn more about Wellstar heart rhythm care and find an electrophysiologist near you.
- Arrhythmias
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Atrial flutter
- Tachycardia
Cardioversion addresses specific types of arrhythmias and restores your regular heartbeat through medication or an electrophysiology procedure that uses quick bursts of low-energy shocks to reset your heart’s rhythm.
Types of cardioversion treatment
A consultation with your cardiologist can help you determine which type of cardioversion treatment is right for you.
Electric cardioversion
Electric cardioversion uses a specialized machine with sensors that stick to your chest. This machine delivers quick, low-energy shocks to your heart to restore the heart’s natural rhythm. The electrophysiologist can immediately see if the procedure is effective.
Chemical cardioversion
Chemical cardioversion involves resetting the heart’s rhythm with the use of prescription medication. Chemical cardioversion typically takes longer to work.
What to expect during electric cardioversion
Once you and your electrophysiologist agree electric cardioversion is the best treatment for you, you may need to complete some additional screening. This typically includes having a transesophageal echocardiogram to ensure there are no blood clots in your heart—blood clots can delay the procedure. You’ll be asleep during electric cardioversion, but the procedure itself only lasts a few minutes.
Several sensors are placed on your chest and back, connecting you to the cardioversion machine. The device records your heart rhythm, sending low-energy shocks to reset your heartbeat. Follow-up is minimal.
Learn more about Wellstar heart rhythm care and find an electrophysiologist near you.