Procedure
Cardioversion
Cardioversion is a safe, planned outpatient procedure that uses a brief electrical pulse to restore a normal heart rhythm. At Richmond Heart and Vascular Associates, our board-certified electrophysiologists guide patients through this process as part of a personalized arrhythmia treatment plan. Most patients are discharged the same day.
Understanding Your Condition
What Is Cardioversion?
When your heart beats in an irregular or too-rapid pattern, the electrical signals that coordinate each heartbeat have gone off course. This procedure corrects that by delivering a precise, timed shock through electrode pads placed on your chest. The shock briefly pauses all electrical activity in the heart, giving it the chance to reset and resume a normal, coordinated rhythm.
This is a planned procedure done in a controlled setting under sedation. It is not the same as emergency defibrillation. The goal is to convert an abnormal rhythm back to normal sinus rhythm so your heart pumps more efficiently and your symptoms improve.
Cardioversion is commonly used to treat:
Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Irregular, rapid beating in the upper chambers that raises stroke risk and often causes fatigue, shortness of breath, or palpitations.
Atrial flutter
A faster but more regular rhythm in the upper chambers, often felt as a fluttering or pounding sensation in the chest..
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
Rapid heartbeats originating above the lower chambers that can cause dizziness or chest tightness.
Other sustained arrhythmias
•Other sustained arrhythmias that have not resolved with medication alone.
Why You Might Need Cardioversion
Not every arrhythmia requires cardioversion. Your electrophysiologist will recommend it when an abnormal rhythm is causing symptoms, raising your risk of complications like stroke or heart failure, or when medications alone have not been enough to stabilize your heart’s pattern.
Patients referred for this procedure often describe constant fatigue, shortness of breath with light activity, or an irregular heartbeat they are always aware of. Cardioversion offers the possibility of restoring normal rhythm without surgery, and for many patients it brings meaningful relief from these daily symptoms.
Your care team will review your full cardiac history and current medications before scheduling to confirm this is the right approach for your situation.
Cardioversion
What to Expect
Cardioversion is a straightforward outpatient procedure performed at our on-site Ambulatory Surgery Center. Your care team will walk you through every step beforehand and keep you comfortable throughout. Most patients go home the same day feeling reassured that their heart rhythm has been addressed.
Take the Next Step
Schedule Your Appointment
If you have been diagnosed with AFib, atrial flutter, or another arrhythmia, our team can help you understand whether cardioversion is appropriate for you.
Call 804.800.6600 or use our online form to Request an Appointment with Richmond Heart and Vascular Associates.
Board-certified electrophysiologists with focused expertise in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders.
On-site Ambulatory Surgery Center for a safe, convenient outpatient experience without a hospital stay.
Personalized, coordinated care from the same team at every step, from evaluation through recovery.
Integrated rhythm management so your procedure fits within a broader treatment plan tailored to your cardiac history.