Do you have an irregular heartbeat?
Have you previously had, or going to have an electrical cardioversion procedure done?
Learning more about the procedure can help ease your anxieties and help you understand why electrical cardioversion might be recommended by your health care provider.
Be sure to ask your primary health care provider any questions or concerns you may have.
What is Electrical Cardioversion?
Electrical cardioversion restores your heart to a normal rhythm from an abnormal one using a controlled electrical shock.
It uses a machine to deliver a timed, low-energy shock to the chest, which resets the heart rhythm.
Cardioversion is usually used to treat arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats).1
Arrhythmias can happen when the electrical current in your heart is beating too fast, too slow, or in an erratic pattern.
Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are the most common types of arrhythmias. However, other abnormal heart rhythms can be treated as well.
How Does Electrical Cardioversion Treat Irregular Heartbeats?
To understand how electrical cardioversion treats abnormal heartbeats, we have to look at how the heart's electrical system works.
The heart uses electricity to beat normally through its electrical system. The heart is made up of primarily muscle tissue. This muscle tissue is divided into four chambers of the heart.
The upper chambers are called the atria. The upper right chamber is called the right atrium. The upper left chamber is called the left atrium. 4
The lower chambers are called the ventricles. The lower right chamber is called the right ventricle. The lower left chamber is called the left ventricle.
There is a heart valve after each chamber that keeps the blood moving in the right direction.
In a normal heartbeat, the electrical current comes from the sinus node pacemaker, which is located in the right atrium.
This causes the heart muscles to squeeze in a step-by-step order, which makes your blood flow in the right direction and causes your heart to beat.
If this pattern does not start or is altered in any way, an arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) occurs. As a result, blood might not flow through your heart and to the rest of your body.
This abnormal current may appear when you are connected to an electrocardiogram (EKG), a device that monitors the flow of current in your heart.
Electrical cardioversion delivers a shock through pads placed on your chest, which go into your chest wall and into your heart muscles. This electrical shock causes all of the heart muscles to squeeze at once.
Since the abnormal electricity is disrupted, the heart 'resets' and starts beating from the atrial node in a step-by-step manner again.
Why Do I Need Cardioversion?
You might need electrical cardioversion to get your heart rate and rhythm back to normal so your heart can pump blood to the rest of your body.
If your abnormal heartbeat goes untreated, you can feel,
Pounding or fluttering in your chest.
Dizziness and extreme tiredness
Like you can't breathe
Chest discomfort
An electrical cardioversion can save your life if your heart enters a life-threatening abnormal rhythm, resulting in sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest happens when your heart stops beating and you to go unconscious. 3
What To Expect During The Procedure
An IV is put into your arm.
You are given medication through an IV to help you feel calm and less anxious during the procedure.
A healthcare provider places two large pads with sensors on your chest. Sometimes one pad is placed on your back instead.
If you have lots of hair on your chest, your health care provider will shave the area before placing the pads on.
Wires connect the pads to a machine that monitors your heart rhythm. 3
The machine records your heart rhythm and prints it on paper.
The machine then delivers a quick, timed, low-energy shock to restore your normal heartbeat.
The procedure usually lasts a few minutes.
What Happens After The Procedure?
After the procedure a health care provider will monitor you for an hour or more to make. sure you recover and don't have any complications.
You get blood-thinning medication to prevent clots.
You can usually go home on the same day.
Benefits of Cardioversion
Cardioversion returns your heart to normal function and reduces your symptoms. Your heart may also work better after cardioversion.
Potential Risks and Considerations
Blood Clots: Some abnormal heartbeats may cause you to develop blood clots. This can cause a stroke (a clot blocking blood flow to the brain) or a pulmonary embolism (a clot blocking blood flow to the lungs). 2
Skin Burns: On rare occasions, the pads placed on the chest can cause skin burns.
Irregular Heart Beats: Some people may have other irregular heartbeats during or right after the procedure. Medication or another shock can be used to get the heart rate back to normal.
Allergic Reactions: Some people have allergic reactions to the medication.
Conclusion
Cardioversion is a procedure that uses a controlled electrical shock to restore the heart's rhythm from abnormal ones.
It is typically used to treat arrhythmias, which are abnormal heartbeats caused by an abnormal electrical current.
Electrical cardioversion can save your life if your heart enters an abnormal ventricular rhythm, causing sudden cardiac arrest. It also reduces unpleasant symptoms like chest discomfort and difficulty breathing.
Cardioversion is just one part of your treatment plan. It's important to practice a healthy lifestyle and follow up with your healthcare provider.
References
American Heart Association. (n.d.-a). About arrhythmia. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia
American Heart Association. (n.d.-b). Cardioversion. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/prevention--treatment-of-arrhythmia/cardioversion
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d.). Cardioversion. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/cardioversion
UpToDate. (n.d.). Cardioversion: Beyond the basics. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/cardioversion-beyond-the-basics/print