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Arrhythmia
Arrhythmias, or abnormal heartbeats, are a common condition affecting individuals of all ages. Some people may present with palpitations, while others may have more vague complaints such as fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath. One of the most common arrhythmias treated at Heartwise Cardiology is atrial fibrillation. An estimated 12.1 million Americans have atrial fibrillation, affecting their long-term heart health and resulting in life-threatening conditions like stroke or heart failure. David Harnick, MD, and Raymonda Rastegar, MD, offer advanced on-site diagnostics to customize your treatment with medications and cutting-edge ablation techniques that can help cure AFib, SVT, or ventricular arrhythmias such as VT and PVCs. Call the office in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, or book a consultation online today.
Arrhythmia Q & A
What is arrhythmia?
An arrhythmia describes an irregular heartbeat. Your heart may beat too quickly (tachycardia) or too slowly (bradycardia), or your heart may beat at an irregular pattern.
The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes an irregular and fast heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation can increase your risk for heart attack, heart failure, or stroke.
Causes of arrhythmia can include:
- Stress
- Smoking
- Heart attack
- Sleep apnea
- Coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure
- Use of certain medications
- Congenital heart defects
You may also be at increased risk for arrhythmia if you use too much alcohol and caffeine.
When should I seek medical care for arrhythmia?
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Heartwise Cardiology if you have symptoms of arrhythmia such as:
- Heart fluttering
- Skipped heartbeats
- Rapid heartbeats
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Shortness of breath
You may also feel fatigue, anxiety, lightheadedness, or experience fainting because of an arrhythmia.
The providers offer physical exams and diagnostic tests like electrocardiograms (EKGs), echocardiograms, and tilt table testing in-office to identify what’s causing your arrhythmia.
They also offer Holter monitors to wear for several days to evaluate your heart health and implantable loop recorders (ILR) that record arrhythmias as they occur.
How is an arrhythmia treated?
Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the cause of your arrhythmia, the heart specialists can customize a treatment plan to correct an irregular heartbeat.
They initially may recommend lifestyle changes to help you manage stress more efficiently and dietary modifications to improve your cardiovascular health. If you need additional treatment, Heartwise Cardiology offers:
Medications
The physicians can prescribe medications to control your heart rate. You may also need blood thinners to address blocked arteries that affect your heartbeat.
Defibrillator
A defibrillator is a device that sends an electrical pulse into your heart to restore its rhythm.
Catheter ablation
The providers also offer catheter ablation, a minimally invasive procedure to create scar tissue in your heart to block abnormal signals that cause an arrhythmia.
Surgery
To correct more serious arrhythmias, the physicians may recommend surgery to implant a pacemaker, a device that sends electrical signals into the heart to regulate its rhythm.
They also offer surgery to implant a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), a battery-powered device that uses electric shocks as needed to restore a healthy heart rhythm.
If you have coronary artery disease that causes arrhythmia, you may need bypass surgery to enhance blood flow to your heart.
To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of arrhythmia, call Heartwise Cardiology or book an appointment online today.