Cardioversion is a medical treatment that uses quick, low-energy shocks to restore a regular heart rhythm. It's used to treat some types of irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias. An example is atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Understanding the Context

Sometimes cardioversion is done using medicines. Diagnosis Atrial fibrillation (AFib) may be diagnosed when a health checkup is done for another reason. To diagnose AFib, the healthcare professional examines you and listens to your heart. You are usually asked questions about your medical history and symptoms.

Key Insights

Tests may be done to look for conditions that can cause changes in the heartbeat, such as heart disease or thyroid disease. In people with AFib, the heart rate may range from 100 to 175 beats a minute. Causes of atrial fibrillation Changes with the heart's structure are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Heart diseases and health conditions that can cause AFib include: A heart condition you're born with, called a congenital heart defect. Pulmonary vein isolation is a treatment for an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Final Thoughts

It is a type of cardiac ablation. Cardiac ablation uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in the heart. The scars block irregular electrical signals and restore a regular heartbeat. Atrial flutter is a type of heart rhythm disorder, called an arrhythmia. It is similar to atrial fibrillation (AFib). But in atrial flutter the heart rhythm is more organized and less chaotic than in AFib.

A person can have both atrial flutter and AFib. Atrial flutter may not cause symptoms. But some people may have a pounding, rapid heartbeat and chest pain. Fainting or almost fainting also ...