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If your heart is beating irregularly, cardioversion can help return your heart’s rhythm to normal.
By choosing to have your cardioversion at a Circle Health hospital, you’ll benefit from:
- Access to a consultant, often within 24 hours
- Dedicated clinical care from a multi-disciplinary team
- Flexible payment plans for self-pay patients
- Easy access to treatment for those with private medical insurance
With over 55 locations, Circle Health offers unparalleled access to private patients throughout England and Scotland. Find your nearest hospital here
The cost of cardioversion differs depending on the specific procedure needed, as well as the consultant performing it. Prices also vary by hospital and region.
We will be able to give you a fixed cost for cardioversion following an initial consultation.
If you’re a self-pay customer, you may be eligible for flexible finance. You can find out more here.
To schedule your initial consultation, you can make an enquiry here or call us on 0141 300 5009.
Cardioversion (electrical correction of heart rhythm)
Please be aware that the following prices are a guide price. Your final price will be confirmed in writing following your consultation and any necessary diagnostic tests.
Any diagnostic tests that are carried out will incur a fee and if you see a consultant to go through your results they may also charge an extra consultation fee.
| Patient pathway | Initial consultation | Diagnostic Investigations | Main treatment | Post discharge care | Guide price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital fees | N/A | Not included | £2,288 | Included | £2,288 |
| Consultants fees from | £200 | N/A | Included | Included | £200 |
| Guide price | £2,488 | ||||
Cardioversion is treatment for an abnormal heart beat, otherwise known as arrhythmia. Arrhythmia happens when the electrical signals that control your heartbeat misfire.
Two common forms of cardioversion are:
Electrical cardioversion
Usually performed under general anaesthetic, small electrical pulses are administered to the heart to restore normal heart rhythm. The procedure normally takes a few minutes and is generally painless.
Chemical cardioversion
Chemical cardioversion (also referred to as 'pharmacologic cardioversion') uses anti-arrhythmic medication to restore normal heart beat. Chemical cardioversion is a longer term option and can also be used as aftercare support for electrical cardioversion.
Urgent cardioversion
If you need urgent cardioversion, there will be little preparation needed.
Your consultant may subscribe anti-coagulant medication and perform some scans to check that cardioversion is appropriate for your condition and safe to perform.
Scheduled cardioversion
Your consultant will likely prescribe a course of anti-coagulant and anti-arrhythmic medicines in the lead up to your procedure.
You may also need to have some screenings such as electrocardiograms and echocardiograms.
You may need to fast before the procedure and it's advised that all patients avoid applying lotions, creams or cosmetic products to their chest on the day of the procedure, as this can interfere with the equipment.
Cardioversion usually takes no more than a few minutes and therefore are usually day cases. This means most patients can expect to return home on the day of their procedure.
Due to the general anaesthetic used, patients should not drive, drink alcohol or operate heavy machinery in the 24 hours following the procedure.
Due to the electricity administered, some patients find their skin can be sore and red immediately following cardioversion, however this should ease within a couple of days.
Your consultant may prescribe medicine to support the cardioversion, it's important that you continue to take the medicine for the entire course, or as long as your consultant advises.
Some patients experience nausea and dizziness after general anaesthetic, and electrical cardioversion can cause skin irritation on the chest.
There is a risk of having a stroke soon after the procedure. This is because cardioversion can release blood clots that have formed in your heart.1
To mitigate this risk, your consultant will give you anti-coagulant medicine when appropriate. This medicine prevents blood clots and breaks up existing clots.
There is a risk that cardioversion can cause additional issues with your heartbeat. This is very rare and is usually not serious.
As with any procedure involving sedation, you may have an adverse reaction to the anaesthetic. All Circle Health hospitals are prepared to treat such reactions and they are rare.
Some people with heart problems are advised not to travel by aeroplane. Your consultant will be able to advise whether air travel is safe for you.
This is usually determined by whether you've fully recovered from cardioversion and if any arrhythmia problems persist.
If you're planning to travel with any heart condition, we recommend letting your airline know and checking your coverage with your travel insurer.
