Arrhythmia

Is your heart beating too fast, too slow or with an irregular rhythm? You may be suffering from arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. Heart specialists at Resolute Baptist Hospital, part of the Baptist Health System, and in close partnership with Northeast Baptist Hospital, are here to help diagnose and treat conditions such as arrhythmia.

What is Arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is caused by complications in the heart’s electrical system, or changes in heart tissue and activity due to injury, disease or genetics. When left untreated, arrhythmia may lead to heart attack, stroke or heart failure.

Types of Arrhythmia

  1. Atrial Fibrillation – happens when upper heart chambers irregularly contract
  2. Bradycardia – happens when an individual has a slow heart rate
  3. Conduction Disorders – happen when the heart doesn’t beat normally
  4. Premature contraction – happens due to an early heartbeat which produces the feeling of a “skipped heartbeat”
  5. Tachycardia – happens when an individual has a very fast heart rate
  6. Ventricular Fibrillation – happens when the lower chambers of the heart experience a disorganized contractions
 
 

Helping Your Heart Beat at the Right Rate

Cardiac electrophysiologists are cardiologists who have additional education for diagnosing, managing and treating heart rhythm problems. Resolute’s cardiac electrophysiologists perform electrophysiology studies and ablations, which may provide solutions to irregular heartbeat even without medication. They are also trained in implanting and managing pacemakers and defibrillators.

The arrhythmia services and procedures we offer include:

  • Evaluation and treatment all types of arrhythmia
  • Electrophysiology studies
  • Medication for arrhythmia
  • Stereotaxis surgery
  • Intracardiac echocardiograms
  • Catheter ablation
  • Implantation and management of pacemakers and cardioverter-defibrillators

Request a Cardiologist Referral

 

What are Electrophysiology Studies?

Electrophysiology studies (EPS) are tests that help doctors understand where arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats come from. Such tests can also help the doctors decide the type of treatment you need, whether it’s medicine, surgery, cardiac ablation, a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

What happens during Electrophysiology Studies?

An EPS happens in a electrophysiology laboratory (EP lab) also known as a catheterization laboratory (cath lab). It usually lasts for one to four hours. During the EPS, the doctor will insert a specialized electrode catheter into a blood vessel leading to your heart. This catheter will send electrical signals to your heart and will record its electrical activity. This is also called cardiac mapping.

Advanced Testing and Treatments

Resolute Baptist Hospital partners with Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio. Talk with us about advanced testing procedures and treatments for arrhythmia that can help you get back to and maintain a normal and active life.

Request a Cardiologist Referral

 

Heart Quiz

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