Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary Normally, the heart has a strong, steady beat. That beat is controlled by the heart's electrical system. Sometimes the system misfires, causing an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). In atrial fibrillation, the heart's upper chambers quiver (fibrillate). The lower chambers beat without a regular rhythm and may beat too fast. This may cause symptoms, such as feeling dizzy, tired, or short of breath. It also can make you more likely to have a stroke. Electrical cardioversion is one treatment option to try to stop atrial fibrillation and keep it from returning. It can also relieve symptoms of atrial fibrillation. First, you'll get medicine through a vein to block pain and make you sleepy (I.V. sedation). Then a doctor will put patches on your chest or on your chest and back. After you are sedated enough, the patches deliver a brief electric shock to your heart. This resets your heart rhythm. You may take rhythm-control medicines (antiarrhythmics) before and after cardioversion. This can make it more likely that your heart rhythm will return to normal and stay there. You will likely take a blood-thinner medicine (anticoagulant) to prevent blood clots before and after the procedure. This medicine lowers your risk of a stroke. For most people, cardioversion restores a normal heart rhythm right away. But atrial fibrillation often comes back. Normal rhythm may last less than a day or for weeks or months. How long it lasts depends on a few things. These include how long you've had atrial fibrillation, what's causing it, and whether you have another heart problem. Taking antiarrhythmic medicines can help you stay in a normal rhythm longer. Your doctor can help you understand how well cardioversion might work for you. If your atrial fibrillation returns, talk with your doctor about your next treatment options. You may choose to have cardioversion again. Or your doctor might recommend a different treatment, such as catheter ablation or medicines to control your heart rate or rhythm. No matter what treatment you choose, it's important to take steps to prevent a stroke, manage other health problems, and have a heart-healthy lifestyle. Cardioversion does have some risks. For example: Your doctor can help you weigh your personal risks against the possible benefits of cardioversion. Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I was just diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. I decided to have cardioversion to see if it stops the unhealthy rhythm for a while. Raymond, age 45 I didn't even know I had atrial fibrillation until my doctor found it during a physical exam. I have a couple of friends who went through a lot to get back to a normal rhythm, and it just seemed like too much trouble and then it didn't even work. Since I am not having symptoms, I think I will just take the medicines to control my heart rate and prevent strokes and not worry about it. Tom, age 61 I had a cardioversion a long time ago, and it worked for a good while. I don't like the symptoms I'm having now, so I'm going to try cardioversion again. Margarita, age 82 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to try cardioversion Reasons not to try cardioversion The idea of having a brief electrical shock doesn't bother me. The idea of having a brief electrical shock worries me. My symptoms bother me a lot. I don't have symptoms, or they don't really bother me. I'm comfortable having a procedure. I'm not comfortable having a procedure. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having cardioversion NOT having cardioversion Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Normally, the heart has a strong, steady beat. That beat is controlled by the heart's electrical system. Sometimes the system misfires, causing an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). In atrial fibrillation, the heart's upper chambers quiver (fibrillate). The lower chambers beat without a regular rhythm and may beat too fast. This may cause symptoms, such as feeling dizzy, tired, or short of breath. It also can make you more likely to have a stroke. Electrical cardioversion is one treatment option to try to stop atrial fibrillation and keep it from returning. It can also relieve symptoms of atrial fibrillation. First, you'll get medicine through a vein to block pain and make you sleepy (I.V. sedation). Then a doctor will put patches on your chest or on your chest and back. After you are sedated enough, the patches deliver a brief electric shock to your heart. This resets your heart rhythm. You may take rhythm-control medicines (antiarrhythmics) before and after cardioversion. This can make it more likely that your heart rhythm will return to normal and stay there. You will likely take a blood-thinner medicine (anticoagulant) to prevent blood clots before and after the procedure. This medicine lowers your risk of a stroke. For most people, cardioversion restores a normal heart rhythm right away. But atrial fibrillation often comes back. Normal rhythm may last less than a day or for weeks or months. How long it lasts depends on a few things. These include how long you've had atrial fibrillation, what's causing it, and whether you have another heart problem. Taking antiarrhythmic medicines can help you stay in a normal rhythm longer. Your doctor can help you understand how well cardioversion might work for you. If your atrial fibrillation returns, talk with your doctor about your next treatment options. You may choose to have cardioversion again. Or your doctor might recommend a different treatment, such as catheter ablation or medicines to control your heart rate or rhythm. No matter what treatment you choose, it's important to take steps to prevent a stroke, manage other health problems, and have a heart-healthy lifestyle. Cardioversion does have some risks. For example: Your doctor can help you weigh your personal risks against the possible benefits of cardioversion. These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I was just diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. I decided to have cardioversion to see if it stops the unhealthy rhythm for a while." — Raymond, age 45 "I didn't even know I had atrial fibrillation until my doctor found it during a physical exam. I have a couple of friends who went through a lot to get back to a normal rhythm, and it just seemed like too much trouble and then it didn't even work. Since I am not having symptoms, I think I will just take the medicines to control my heart rate and prevent strokes and not worry about it." — Tom, age 61 "I had a cardioversion a long time ago, and it worked for a good while. I don't like the symptoms I'm having now, so I'm going to try cardioversion again." — Margarita, age 82 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to try cardioversion Reasons not to try cardioversion The idea of having a brief electrical shock doesn't bother me. The idea of having a brief electrical shock worries me. My symptoms bother me a lot. I don't have symptoms, or they don't really bother me. I'm comfortable having a procedure. I'm not comfortable having a procedure. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having cardioversion NOT having cardioversion 1.
Will cardioversion get your heart to a normal rhythm for good? 2.
Are there other ways to relieve my symptoms of atrial fibrillation? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: June 24, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardAtrial Fibrillation: Should I Try Electrical Cardioversion?
Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Try Electrical Cardioversion?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is electrical cardioversion?
How well does cardioversion work?
What are the risks of cardioversion?
Compare your options
Personal stories about cardioversion
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Try Electrical Cardioversion?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is electrical cardioversion?
How well does cardioversion work?
What are the risks of cardioversion?
2. Compare your options
Try cardioversion Don't have cardioversion What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about cardioversion
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Try cardioversion Try cardioversion
Don't have cardioversion Don't have cardioversion
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You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
More important
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Equally important
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Leaning toward
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That's correct. Although cardioversion may return your heart to its normal rhythm, atrial fibrillation often returns.
That's right. There are other treatments to relieve your symptoms, such as catheter ablation or medicines to control your heart rate or rhythm.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits