Techniques are provided for generating pre-pulse pain inhibition (PPI) pulses and subsequent main cardioversion shocks. The PPI pulses are relatively low-voltage pulses each having a chevron-shaped waveform. The main shocks are relatively high-voltage shocks each having a plateau-shaped waveform. By employing plateau-shaped waveforms for the main shocks, a greater cardiac membrane response can be achieved at an equivalent peak voltage as compared to conventional shock waveforms. Peak voltage is a significant contributor to pain caused by cardioversion shocks. Hence, by using the plateau-shaped waveform, pain reduction can be achieved without loss of shock effectiveness. Moreover, by employing chevron-shaped PPI pulses in combination with plateau-shaped main shocks, a relatively simple shocking circuit having a single high-voltage shocking capacitor may be used, thus eliminating the need for both low-voltage PPI capacitors and higher voltage main shock capacitors. The shocking circuit includes a low-pass resistive-capacitive filter.