Cardioversion
Find an electrophysiologistIf your heart beats out of rhythm, you want treatment that’s safe, effective and right for you. Our electrophysiologists and heart experts are among the region’s most experienced specialists in cardioversion and other procedures to help restore your heart’s healthy rhythm.
What is cardioversion?
When you have an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), we usually use medication first to correct the problem. If medication doesn't seem to help, we often recommend electrical cardioversion as the next step.
Cardioversion is a procedure where our specialists send an electrical pulse to your heart to correct the arrhythmia and quickly restore your normal rhythm.
Usually cardioversion is a scheduled procedure, but sometimes if your symptoms are severe, we may need to do it immediately.
Is there a difference between cardioversion and defibrillation?
Cardioversion is different than defibrillation. Both use shocks to reset the heart, but defibrillation uses a stronger shock to correct severe abnormal rhythms.
Prior to your cardioversion procedure, you’ll receive personalized guidance to prepare. This may include:
- Not eating or drinking for four to six hours before the procedure
- Any medications you may need to stop taking
- Taking blood thinning medication for a few weeks to help prevent blood clots
- Answering your questions and concerns
The cardioversion procedure usually takes about 60 minutes.
To help you relax, we’ll give you a mild sedative through an intravenous (IV) line in your arm. We’ll insert a soft plastic tube into your nose to provide oxygen and place electrocardiogram (EKG) wires on your chest to monitor your heartbeat throughout the cardioversion procedure.
Our specialist will then apply a short electrical pulse through pads on your chest and back to restore your heart’s normal rhythm.
Usually, you'll return home the same day. As soon as you’re fully alert, you'll be able to sit up, walk around and eat something. We’ll closely monitor you in the recovery room for about an hour or so to ensure your heart is beating as it should.
The skin on your chest where the electric pulse was applied may feel like a mild sunburn. If you feel an irregular or rapid heartbeat return or tightness in your chest following the cardioversion, contact your doctor right away.
Why choose Advocate Heart Institute for cardioversion?
At Advocate Heart Institute, you can feel confident with our expert cardiology care. Together, our large, multidisciplinary team of specialists offers unmatched:
- Experience: We have one of the top cardiac programs in the U.S. Performing more than 20,000 procedures every year, our cardiology teams have experience with all types of procedures and conditions.
- Quality: Our safety-first culture permeates everything we do. We participate in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry that benchmarks our outcomes against other programs. Our high ratings mean fewer complications and better results.
- Teamwork: Working closely together, our cardiologists, surgeons, electrophysiologists and other specialists develop a customized treatment plan that’s just right for you.
- Technology: We offer the latest programs and treatments that you may not find elsewhere in the area. Cardiology technology changes rapidly, and we continuously upgrade our equipment and learn the latest, most advanced techniques. And we participate in cutting-edge research and clinical trials to ensure access to the newest innovations.
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