Heart talk: What is a cardioversion?

A cardioversion is a procedure to treat irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias. It’s a brief operation in which an electrical current is brought to one’s heart to normalize the rhythm, explains cardiac electrophysiologist Ian Weisberg, MD.

Image source: svhhearthealth.com.au
A heart beating too fast won’t be able to pump enough blood needed by the various organs of the body. It can therefore lead to exhaustion, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and even blackouts. People suffering from arrhythmias are first given medication, and often this alone is enough.

There are two types of arrhythmias: atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. In both cases, the upper chambers of the heart called the atria are beating very fast. It can also be that the lower chambers or ventricles are doing the same or quivering. Cardioversion electrically resets this abnormal beat.

Image source: Wikimedia commons

Cardioversions are generally safe, and patients won’t feel any pain during the procedure, adds Dr. Ian Weisberg. It is done by putting sticky pads on one’s chest, then being connected to a machine that monitors the heart rhythm. Patients will be given medication to put them to sleep, then one or more low-energy electric currents will be directed to the heart, each one lasting less than a second.

Ian Weisberg, MD is a cardiac electrophysiologist specializing in cardioversions and electrocardiograms. He is affiliated with Baptist Hospital, Pensacola, FL and Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola, FL. For similar posts, visit this blog.






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