Heart arrhythmia

EP is the study of the heart's electrical system. During an EP study, your physician inserts a catheter into your arm, wrist or groin and guides it to your heart. Electrical pulses are sent through the catheter to trigger possible abnormal heartbeats. Your EP specialist then measures your heart's signals to identify the source of a potential arrhythmia.

Next, your doctor may order other diagnostic exams, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs). They use all this information to determine which medicines or procedures may work best to treat the arrhythmia and reduce your risk for other heart problems.

We offer a wide range of options to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) and other heartbeat irregularities. Our experienced heart rhythm specialists and electrophysiologists will determine the best treatment path for your specific needs. These may include:

• Cardioversion: Cardioversion is the delivery of an electric shock to the chest through electrodes or paddles. The shock is given to correct a dangerous heart rhythm. Cardioversion can be done as an elective (scheduled) procedure or may be done urgently if an abnormal heartbeat is life-threatening.
• Catheter ablation: The purpose of a catheter ablation is to eliminate areas of the heart that are generating abnormal heart rhythms. An electrophysiologist will guide an ablating catheter to the site(s), which treats defective tissue by emitting painless electromagnetic energy to ablate (destroy) the defective areas.
• Cryoablation: Cryoablation is a catheter ablation procedure that uses very cold temperatures to freeze the defective tissue, thereby restoring a standard heart rhythm.
• Medications: Medications that control the heart rate or rhythm are prescribed, along with blood thinners, to reduce the likelihood of stroke.
• Pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) insertion: A pacemaker is generally implanted under the collarbone to regulate your heartbeat by electrical wire leads threaded through the veins, chest and then to the heart. An ICD is implanted into the chest to monitor the heart rate and, if necessary, deliver electrical therapy to restore a normal rhythm.

As part of our comprehensive approach to treatment, we also help identify any lifestyle changes that may help treat your abnormal heart rhythm. For example, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise may reduce the frequency, duration and severity of AFib episodes. Your care team will talk to you about any lifestyle changes that may aid in managing and treating your condition.

Some symptoms of heart arrhythmias include:

• Difficulty exercising
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
• Fatigue or weakness
• Irregular or rapid pulse or heartbeat
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Palpitations or a pounding feeling in the chest
• Racing feeling in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating

AFib is the most common heart rhythm disorder and is caused by rapid or erratic electrical signals that disrupt blood flow in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). The lower two chambers are called the ventricles.

A standard heartbeat occurs when an electrical signal in the atria is followed by an electrical signal in the ventricles. Ordinarily, the atria pulses about 60 to 100 beats per minute (BPM). AFib occurs when the atria quivers and pulses at about 500 BPM.

At this rate, the heart cannot steadily pump blood. The result is a very irregular, rapid heartbeat.

Less blood in the heart means there will be less blood pumped out to the body. This can also cause blood to become trapped and pool in the upper chambers of the heart. Decreased blood flow in the body, including the brain, can also lead to blood clots or a cerebrovascular accident (stroke).

Causes of AFib

AFib is often caused by an existing heart condition, such as high blood pressure or a leaky heart, which stretches one of or both upper two chambers of the heart. When those chambers are subject to stress or are stretched, they can start to quiver, resulting in fibrillation.

AFib can occur in people with no other heart problems. If you experience AFib with no obvious or identifiable cause for the condition, you may have "lone atrial fibrillation."