Who Needs Cardioversion?

You may need cardioversion if you have an arrhythmia that's causing troublesome symptoms. These symptoms may include dizziness, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue (tiredness), and chest discomfort.

Atrial fibrillation (A-tre-al fi-bri-LA-shun), or AF, is the most common type of arrhythmia treated with cardioversion. In AF, the electrical signals travel through the upper chambers of your heart (the atria) in a fast and disorganized way. This causes the atria to quiver instead of contract.

Atrial flutter, which is similar to AF, also may be treated with cardioversion. In atrial flutter, the electrical signals travel through the atria in a fast, but regular, rhythm.

Less commonly, you may have cardioversion to treat a rapid heart rhythm in the lower chambers of your heart.

You may need cardioversion on an emergency basis if your symptoms are severe. However, you usually schedule this procedure in advance.

Cardioversion may not be right for you if you have other heart conditions as well as an arrhythmia. Talk to your doctor about whether cardioversion is an option for you.