Everything You Know About Cardioversion

Men, you need cardioversion on your side. It's your ticket to a normal heartbeat! It'll get you healthy again in no time. The best meds or a simple electric shock will do the trick here. The best part? You'll go back home on the same day! Men, you've won on this one.

Cardioversion's so powerful. So powerful! It's a great, great arrhythmia treatment. It'll tackle just about all of them. The most common? Obviously, it's an excellent treatment for fibrillation. It's awesome as a treatment for tachycardia too! Many, many men need IV meds for cardioversion. They'll make it more successful, more often! But hold your horses here. You can't have blood clots, so get ready to take meds for blood clots first!

Chemical Vs. Electrical Cardioversion

Cardioversion has 2 types ready to step into the ring, men. It's time to compare chemical vs. electrical! They've both got the same goal, and you know all about it already: to get your heart rhythm back to normal. The chemical one gets meds to fight this battle. It's going to treat many arrhythmias, men. Yes, it will! But the most common? Atrial fibrillation, of course! You'll see this one lower your stroke risk once it works its magic. Men, you won't even need to be put under for this one. Sedation isn't used here! But hold your horses, the results take a bit longer. Just a bit!

The second fighter? Electrical cardioversion! Many, many men know this one. So many men! You've got electric shocks in this procedure. Men, they'll get your heart rhythm back on track in just a few minutes! It's much more effective than the chemical one. But there are some tradeoffs. Electrical cardioversion is more invasive, men! You need sedation too. That means you're unconscious for this one!

Why Get It Done

Yes, men, you knew this was coming. If you've got heart rhythm problems, you need this procedure in your corner. It'll get you back into fighting shape in no time. No time at all! It'll work wonders on irregular beats. Fast ones as well! Many, many men get it when they're at an increased stroke risk. Yes, it'll help there! But only if your symptoms are huge. Mild ones mean the benefits aren't going to outweigh the risks.

You're going to schedule this one most of the time, men. The good news? It's a great emergency tool too, if you need it. Yes! Yes, it is! Of course, you'll talk to your doc about which is better. Remember, chemical takes longer, but it carries less risk! Electrical, though, is the best in an emergency. The very best! Men, you know its because the results are so, so fast. So fast! But if your heart stops beating? Defibrillation takes over!

Ready, Set...

Many, many of you are going to schedule this one. Yes, you'll know before you've got to go get it done! Prepping for this is easy, men. So easy! There are only 2 things you need to know! No, you can't eat or drink anything for at least 8 hours before your procedure. And men? You've got to talk to your doc about your meds first! Some of them are going to interact with cardioversion. If you have to take them? Your doc's going to ask you to drink only enough water to swallow your pills. No more than that. No more!

Men, your doc has to run 1 more test before you're ready. Yes, they've got to check for blood clots. You don't want them to break off, no way! They're dangerous, so dangerous, when they do. You'll deal with a heart attack or stroke! Your doc's got your back, though. Once you've been checked, and they're not there, you're in the clear!

How It Works

Men, the chemical version is simple. You show up, get an IV, and your doc gives you the best meds to get you back on track! Great! So great. There's a bit more to the electrical one, but it's still simple. So simple! Men, you know what's coming! A nurse is going to get you ready with some electrodes on your chest. You've got to be attached to the right machine! They'll put in an IV too. But this time? It'll sedate you so you won't be awake for this one.

Once you're under, the doc's ready to get this procedure done. The machine you're attached to give them a recording of your heart. This is key! Men, it's the info your doc needs. The info will let them set the machine to send the best electric shock to your heart! The best one, the very best one! Once your meds wear off and you're awake, you'll be on your way home. Score!

The Risks

Good news on the horizon! Men, there aren't many risks with this one. Not many at all! The hospital gets it done with care. But you've still got to be aware! Remember that your doc screens you for blood clots first? Of course you do! It's because this procedure can break them off. You don't want that! Blood clots get into your lungs. They'll even cause a block in your heart, triggering a heart attack! It's a huge problem. Heart rhythm issues put you at a higher risk for clots in the first place! The good news? Your doc's got an easy fix. Meds for clots will do the trick in just a few weeks! Then cardioversion will fix the rest.

Men, sometimes you'll get new rhythm issues. But with electrical cardioversion? Your doc knows about it right away. Yes, right away, so they'll fix it then too! It'll be gone even before you wake up! And the last risk? Skin burns from those electrodes. Your doc will treat those too.