CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Private cardioversion treatment
- We're the UK's No.1 private electrophysiology care provider
- 99% of cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
- Get seen by a specialist in as little as 24 hours
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CARDIOVERSION AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we’re No. 1 in the UK for private electrophysiology treatment. Nearly 80,000 people having sought our expertise in the past three years, more than any other private healthcare provider.
If you have an arrhythmia diagnosis that requires treatment through cardioversion or you’re worried about your symptoms and want to see a specialist, we can confirm an appointment within 24 hours and quickly arrange care through our private network.
We have more than 100 heart rhythm consultants working across our hospitals and offer fast access to cardioversion procedures. Our unrivalled capability is just one of the reasons why 99% of patients would recommend us to friends and family.
If you have an arrhythmia diagnosis that requires treatment through cardioversion or you’re worried about your symptoms and want to see a specialist, we can confirm an appointment within 24 hours and quickly arrange care through our private network.
We have more than 100 heart rhythm consultants working across our hospitals and offer fast access to cardioversion procedures. Our unrivalled capability is just one of the reasons why 99% of patients would recommend us to friends and family.
Cardioversion is a treatment that uses electrical shocks or medication to return an abnormal heartbeat to a normal rhythm. It’s used when the heart is beating very fast or irregularly. This is known as arrhythmia.
There are two types of cardioversion treatments:
Electric cardioversion: This is the most common type of treatment. During the procedure, electrodes (sticky pads) are attached to your chest. These are connected to a defibrillator that sends carefully controlled low-energy shocks to your heart, quickly shocking it back into rhythm. This is not the same as defibrillation, which delivers more powerful shocks when the heart has stopped.
Chemical (or pharmacologic) cardioversion: This is a drug-based treatment to restore your heart’s rhythm. It works more slowly than electrical cardioversion, taking effect in minutes, hours or, in rare cases, days.
This can be the preferred method of treatment when your arrhythmia is less severe, you have concerns about electrical cardioversion due to underlying health conditions or personal preference.
Cardioversion medications are either taken at home or received through an intravenous (IV) drip in one of our hospitals.
There are two types of cardioversion treatments:
Electric cardioversion: This is the most common type of treatment. During the procedure, electrodes (sticky pads) are attached to your chest. These are connected to a defibrillator that sends carefully controlled low-energy shocks to your heart, quickly shocking it back into rhythm. This is not the same as defibrillation, which delivers more powerful shocks when the heart has stopped.
Chemical (or pharmacologic) cardioversion: This is a drug-based treatment to restore your heart’s rhythm. It works more slowly than electrical cardioversion, taking effect in minutes, hours or, in rare cases, days.
This can be the preferred method of treatment when your arrhythmia is less severe, you have concerns about electrical cardioversion due to underlying health conditions or personal preference.
Cardioversion medications are either taken at home or received through an intravenous (IV) drip in one of our hospitals.
At HCA UK, we use cardioversion to treat different types of fast or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia). These include:
Your consultant will recommend cardioversion treatment if you have a heart rhythm condition and the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- A pounding or fluttering feeling in your chest
- A feeling of discomfort in your chest
- Dizziness or extreme fatigue
The main aim of cardioversion treatment is to restore your heart rhythm to normal, reducing or eliminating arrhythmia symptoms and reducing the risk of serious problems, such as stroke and heart failure.
For most people, cardioversion is a quick and effective treatment, and serious risks are uncommon.
With HCA UK, you’ll have quick access to this treatment, delivered by experts in leading private facilities.
For most people, cardioversion is a quick and effective treatment, and serious risks are uncommon.
With HCA UK, you’ll have quick access to this treatment, delivered by experts in leading private facilities.
There are various medicines that can be used in chemical cardioversion to return your heart to a normal rhythm, as well as maintaining the normal rhythm after treatment. These include:
- Antiarrhythmic medications, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and sodium channel blockers
- Blood thinners (anticoagulants), such as warfarin, to reduce the risk of blood clots
- Digoxin, to strengthen heart muscle contractions
- Medications for underlying conditions linked to heart health
100+
heart rhythm specialist consultants
36,000+
cardiac patients treated every year
15
diagnostic centres and five hospitals dedicated to cardiac care
Innovative treatments
See a specialist and get dedicated, expert care
State-of-the-art facilities
New techniques and technology
Rapid access
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Your cardioversion treatment at HCA UK
What to expect
We want you to feel as comfortable and reassured as possible during your time with us.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage of your cardioversion treatment.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQs section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred or have a referral from a GP, the first step is always an initial consultation with one of our cardiologists.
They’ll take the time to talk to you about your symptoms and ask you about your medical history and lifestyle. If you haven’t yet had an arrhythmia diagnosis, your consultant will refer you for any necessary investigative diagnostic tests.
02
Tests and scans
At HCA UK, you’ll have access to the UK’s most comprehensive private diagnostics network, with results available within 48 hours. Your consultant will share your results of your heart tests and scans with you and recommend the best course of treatment for your condition.
If you need cardioversion, they’ll explain the process so you're aware of every detail and know what to expect. Your consultant will also answer any questions you may have and give you information on how to prepare for the procedure.
Your consultant may recommend that you have an imaging test called a transoesophageal echocardiogram before or during the procedure. This checks for blood clots in your heart, which could pose a risk during cardioversion treatment. If any clots are found, your procedure may be delayed for a few weeks and you’ll be given anticoagulants (blood thinners) to take during that time.
If you need cardioversion, they’ll explain the process so you're aware of every detail and know what to expect. Your consultant will also answer any questions you may have and give you information on how to prepare for the procedure.
Your consultant may recommend that you have an imaging test called a transoesophageal echocardiogram before or during the procedure. This checks for blood clots in your heart, which could pose a risk during cardioversion treatment. If any clots are found, your procedure may be delayed for a few weeks and you’ll be given anticoagulants (blood thinners) to take during that time.
03
Cardioversion procedure
If you're having electrical cardioversion, you'll be given a general anaesthetic so you’ll be asleep during the procedure.
Our team will place electrodes (sticky pads) on your chest. These are connected to a defibrillator machine. The machine monitors your heart rhythm and delivers quick and carefully timed low-energy shocks to your heart to restore its regular rhythm.
If you're having chemical cardioversion, you'll receive cardioversion drugs through an intravenous (IV) drip to gradually restore a regular heart rhythm.
Both procedures usually take 10-15 minutes to complete.
Our team will place electrodes (sticky pads) on your chest. These are connected to a defibrillator machine. The machine monitors your heart rhythm and delivers quick and carefully timed low-energy shocks to your heart to restore its regular rhythm.
If you're having chemical cardioversion, you'll receive cardioversion drugs through an intravenous (IV) drip to gradually restore a regular heart rhythm.
Both procedures usually take 10-15 minutes to complete.
04
After the procedure
We’ll move you to a recovery room after the procedure, so our teams can monitor your response to the treatment. When you’re ready to go home, you’ll need to have someone drive you.
Your consultant may prescribe anticoagulants (blood-thinning) medications after your cardioversion treatment to prevent clots, even if none were present beforehand. They’ll also advise you on when you can safely return to your normal activities, including work, exercise and driving.
We’re here to support your recovery, so it’s important that you let us know if you experience any severe or long-lasting side effects. We’ll also arrange follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and answer any new questions or concerns you might have.
Your consultant may prescribe anticoagulants (blood-thinning) medications after your cardioversion treatment to prevent clots, even if none were present beforehand. They’ll also advise you on when you can safely return to your normal activities, including work, exercise and driving.
We’re here to support your recovery, so it’s important that you let us know if you experience any severe or long-lasting side effects. We’ll also arrange follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and answer any new questions or concerns you might have.
Our locations
Where can I have my cardioversion treatment?
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Cardioversion FAQs
Our teams will monitor you closely for a few hours after the treatment, but you should be able to go home on the same day. For most people, full recovery usually takes 24 hours, during which time you should rest and have someone with you. It’s important that you continue to take any medicine, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), prescribed by your doctor or consultant.
After treatment, you should not drive, operate heavy machinery or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours. Your consultant will be able to advise you on this and when you can return to work and start exercising again.
At HCA UK, nearly 80,000 people have come to us for private electrophysiology care in the past three years (Jan 22-Dec 24). For most people, the treatment quickly and successfully restores a regular heart rhythm.
However, there’s a chance that your heart rhythm will not be corrected by cardioversion and that your arrhythmia returns. If this happens, your consultant may recommend another cardioversion procedure or alternative treatment options.
However, there’s a chance that your heart rhythm will not be corrected by cardioversion and that your arrhythmia returns. If this happens, your consultant may recommend another cardioversion procedure or alternative treatment options.
You will for a short time. Most people usually take a blood thinner (anticoagulant) for at least four weeks after a cardioversion. This is to reduce the risk of a stroke. However, some people with other medical complications will need to take anticoagulants for life.
The risks and side effects of cardioversion are usually minimal, and your medical team will take steps to reduce them. They'll explain anything to be aware of before you go ahead with the treatment, so you know what to expect.
Depending on your type of procedure, potential risks include:
Depending on your type of procedure, potential risks include:
- Minor rashes or burns on your skin from electrode patches, or bruised skin from an IV for cardioversion medication
- A different or worsened irregular heart rhythm that requires further treatment
- An allergic reaction to the medication used in chemical cardioversion
- Blood clots, which can form in some people with irregular heartbeats. These can become loose and move to other parts of your body, potentially leading to further complications. You may undergo tests to check for blood clots or be given anticoagulants (blood thinners) before the procedure.
If your symptoms are mild or infrequent, your consultant may recommend that you make changes to your lifestyle first, before having any treatment. Their advice could include:
- Eating a heart-healthy diet, rich in grains, fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat and sugar
- Limiting or avoiding alcohol
- Quitting smoking
- Increasing physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Managing your blood pressure
- Managing stress or anxiety
There is no set limit to many cardioversions you can have. However, if your abnormal heart rhythm returns quickly after the procedure, your consultant may discuss alternative treatments, such as catheter ablation, that provide long-term relief from symptoms.
Our patients’ stories
Andrew's atrial fibrillation story
"I immediately felt something was not right and stopped swimming. I didn’t have pain, but had palpitations and a shortness of breath. After a while, my heart settled down."
Kirti's heart rhythm story
How a life-changing cardiac procedure stopped Kirti worrying about her heart health. Kirti first felt a heart palpitation back in 2016 whilst out shopping. After delaying seeking specialist advice, she sought the expertise of Dr Mike Koa-Wing, Consultant Cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, in 2020 after the palpations got worse. Here Kirti shares her story.
Chris's story: Atrial fibrillation
Since he was a teenager, Chris (now 44) had suffered from an irregular heartbeat. Whenever his heart would beat too fast, he was told he was having a panic attack.
“Dr Lowe is an incredible doctor. I found it very easy to speak to him about my concerns. He is extremely knowledgeable, experienced and professional. I highly recommend using him.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.