Cardioversion is a way to restore your heart's normal rhythm. When your heartbeat is irregular, medicine is often used first to try to correct the rhythm of your heart. If that doesn't work, cardioversion may be the next step. During this procedure, you are given a small, brief electric shock by a doctor. The shock helps your heartbeat become normal again. Cardioversion is most often done in a hospital. Before scheduling a cardioversion, your physician may ask you to take anticoagulants (blood thinners) for a few weeks. This helps prevent blood clots from forming and will be monitored closely by having frequent blood tests (INR) until the time of the cardioversion.