A cardioverter/defibrillator of the type having at least one high voltage (HV) output capacitor having valve metal anode and cathode electrodes with an oxide formed over a majority of said anode and a wet electrolyte in fluid communication with the electrodes that is charged from a battery through a charging circuit including a HV step-up transformer and is adapted to be discharged through cardioversion/defibrillation (C/D) electrodes is disclosed. The HV output capacitor(s) periodically charge in a reform charge cycle to substantially a maximum or full charge at a reform charge rate slower than a C/D therapy charge rate, which also charges said HV output capacitor(s) to the maximum or full charge, to thereby reform deformed portions of the oxide.