About Cardioversion

Cardioversion

What is Cardioversion?

Cardioversion is a medical technique used on patients whose hearts are beating abnormally. The patients are administered jolts of electricity in an attempt to "reset" their heartbeat pattern. This is effective because the human body is essentially an organism that runs on electrical circuits. The brain sends an electrical signal to the heart to mandate a beating pattern. A cardioversion is basically an attempt to manually jump start the heart back into its proper beating rhythm.

Cardiac arrhythmia or an irregular heartbeat are the main conditions that are treated with cardioversion. An ECG technician will be trained to deliver a direct current (DC) shock to a patient's heart to temporarily stun cardiac cells functioning abnormally and allow the sinus node to take over and continue its heartbeat regulating activity. There are several symptoms or indications from a patient that mandate cardioversion treatment. A patient with a wide or narrow QRS complex that is considered to be unstable by exhibiting symptoms such as hypo tension, pulmonary edema, or dizziness should be treated immediately. Stable patients that are exhibiting unusual heart patterns such as atrial fibrillation or supraventricular tachycardia are also candidates for cardioversion. The treatment can easily be compared to resetting an electrical circuit. In industrial, commercial, and residential settings a common technique for solving electrical irregularities is a simple turning off and on of the troublesome electrical circuit. Since the human body is a vast network of electrical circuits a "reset" of a problem circuit such as the cardiac system is a logical means to restore proper working order. The electrical jolt delivered to the cardiac system of the patient in need of treatment basically shuts down the cardiac circuit for a brief moment and allows the brain to "turn on" the circuit and resume its life-sustaining activity.

A person seeking a rewarding career in the medical field would be making a smart choice to consider taking ECG classes (electrocardiography classes). According to http://www.salary.com the starting salary for an ECG technician is in between $30,000 and $40,000 annually. It is relatively easy to earn an ECG certification. The investment in ECG training is consequently a great one. The nature of electrocardiography can also give the ECG technician or student a sense of purpose and accomplishment. The heart is a universal symbol for human life. Working directly with the heart and its obvious representation of life can be both a sobering and fulfilling experience. Individuals seeking a career in the medical field should consider the benefits and responsibilities of such an important profession. Talking to a counselor at a school that offers training for the field is the best way for an individual to decide if ECG training is right for them.

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