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Heart Rhythm Conditions

Irregular Heartbeat Care and Treatment

Heart arrhythmia, including irregular heartbeat and heart palpitations, is a group of conditions in which the heart activity is faster or slower than normal. Our Heart Hospital team, including doctors who specialize in heart rhythm conditions, is uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat arrhythmia and help patients better understand their condition.  
 
We provide treatment for all types of arrhythmias including:
Atrial Fibrillation
Often called A-fib or AF, is a type of irregular heartbeat. It occurs when one or both of the upper chambers of the heart – called the atria – beat erratically. A-fib is the most common heart arrhythmia with more than 2.3 million people in the United States diagnosed with the condition.
 
Tachycardia
A heart rate that is too fast (more than 100 beats per minute). There are three different types of tachycardias, Ventricular Tachycardia, Atrial or Supraventricular Tachycardia, and Sinus Tachycardia.

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
A fast, abnormal heart rate. It begins in your heart’s lower chambers, called the ventricles. If VT lasts for more than a few seconds at a time, it can become life-threatening

​Heart problems that can interfere with the heart’s normal electrical system and cause VT include:
  • Abnormal heart valves
  • Enlarged heart
  • Problems with the heart muscles (cardiomyopathy)
  • Clogged arteries (coronary artery disease)
​Symptoms of VT:​
  • Fast heart rate (palpitations)
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
  • A fluttering feeling in the chest
  • Chest pain
  • Neck tightness
Atrial or Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
A fast, abnormal heart rate that begins in the upper chambers of the heart.
 
Symptoms of SVT:
  • Fainting (syncope)
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Rapid heartbeat or "palpitations" or fluttering feeling in chest or bounding pulse
  • Angina (chest pain), pressure or tightness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue/tiredness
Sinus Tachycardia
A fast but steady heart rate where electrical signals are sent out faster than usual but the heart beats properly. A rapid heartbeat may be the body’s response to common conditions such as:
  • Fever
  • Anxiety
  • Some medicinal and street drugs
  • Severe emotional distress
  • Fright
  • Strenuous exercise
Bradycardia
A slower than normal heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute). Bradycardia can be a serious problem if the heart doesn’t pump enough oxygen rich blood to the body. Not all people experience symptoms with bradycardia.

An implanted pacemaker can correct bradycardia and help your heart maintain a normal rate.

Arrhythmia Treatment
The primary goal of arrhythmia treatment is to determine the most appropriate treatment options for the individual patient and his/her symptoms. Specific goals may include:
 
  • Treat the causes
  • Control the heart rate
  • Prevent blood clots and stroke
  • Return the heart to normal heartbeat
  • Lower the risk factors
Treatment options may include:
 
  • Medication therapy
  • Non-invasive testing
  • Cardioversion
  • Catheter ablation
  • Surgical ablation
  • Implantable cardiac devices ( such as pacemakers, biventricular pacer/ICDs, implanted cardiac defibrillators, and implanted loop recorders)
  • Stroke-reducing procedures
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