A-Fib is Sometimes Treated With Cardioversion

Written By: Sara Loch

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm.  It can lead to problems such as fainting, heart attack, stroke, and even sudden cardiac death.  There are different types of arrhythmia, such as A-fib, and one possible treatment is called a cardioversion.

Cardioversion

Cardioversion is an atrial fibrillation treatment Washington DC to return the heart to a natural rhythm.  There are two different types of this atrial fibrillation treatment DC: electrical and chemical.  An electrical cardioversion is when a high energy shock is sent to the heart in an effort to reset a normal rhythm.  Although they both use shocks to reset the heart, electrical cardioversion A-fib treatment Washington DC is different from defibrillation.  Defibrillation uses a stronger shock to stop very severe rhythms that can lead to death.  An electrical cardioversion can be done as a scheduled A-fib treatment DC, or sometimes during an emergency.

A chemical cardioversion is an A-fib treatment Washington DC that uses medicines to get a heart back to a normal rhythm.  It is less common than electrical cardioversion, but is sometimes preferred because a chemical cardioversion does not require sedation and is less traumatic than an electrical cardioversion.  Either cardioversion can be used to treat a wide range of arrhythmias, including: atrial flutter, supra-ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia.

Other A-fib treatment DC

Cardioversion is more likely to be used as an atrial fibrillation treatment Washington DC if you are experiencing the condition for the first time.  It is unlikely that you will be a candidate for this atrial fibrillation treatment DC if you are elderly, have had the condition for a long time, or if you have another serious medical condition.  If you cannot have cardioversion, other possible A-fib treatment Washington DC can include:

• Medicines: These can be used to slow the heart beat, prevent blood clots, and/or help prevent abnormal rhythms.
• Surgery: Sometimes a procedure called ablation is done to damage the heart tissue where the signal to start the abnormal heartbeat begins.
• Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying active can all help improve heart health.

You can learn more about these and other atrial fibrillation treatment Washington DC at www.medstarwashington.org.