Cardioversion is a treatment that helps your heart return to a normal rhythm. It treats problems like atrial fibrillation.
It is also sometimes used in emergencies. It can correct a fast heartbeat that causes low blood pressure, chest pain, or heart failure.
Cardioversion can be done by using an electric current or medicines.
There are two types:
The electrical procedure is done in a hospital. Before the treatment, you will get medicine to make you sleepy. You should not feel any pain.
Your doctor will put patches on your chest or back. The patches send an electric current to your heart. This resets your heart rhythm.
The electrical part takes about 5 minutes. But you may be in the hospital for a few hours. You will need to recover from the effects of the sedative medicine.
The chemical procedure is most often done in a hospital. In most cases, the medicine is put into your arm through a tube called an I.V. But you may get medicines to take by mouth.
You may feel a quick sting or pinch when the IV starts. The procedure may take up to several hours.
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