Arrhythmias

What is an arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is the medical term for an abnormal heart rate or rhythm. Healthy hearts beat at a steady pace, allowing blood to flow smoothly through the arteries. 

However, if your heart rhythm is abnormal, blood flow can become blocked. In time, you may develop a clot in a blood vessel in your heart.

Some arrhythmias can also cause a rapid or slow heart rate. The normal resting heart rate is about 60-100 beats per minute. If your heart beats too quickly or slowly, your organs may not get enough oxygen. You may also suffer a heart attack or stroke.

Without treatment, some arrhythmias can be life-threatening, but prompt medical care can make all the difference. Heart & Vascular Institute performs in-depth evaluations to diagnose arrhythmias. 

What causes an arrhythmia?

Some arrhythmias develop due to chronic health conditions, such as:

• Previous heart attacks
• Blocked arteries
• High blood pressure
• Thyroid disorders
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea

Arrhythmias can also result from:

• Smoking
• Heavy drinking
• Excess caffeine
• Prescription drugs

Your Heart & Vascular Institute provider can determine what's causing your symptoms. The team can also suggest lifestyle changes that support healthy heart function. 

How are arrhythmias diagnosed?

If your provider suspects an arrhythmia, you may receive a series of heart-monitoring tests. These tests can include:

• An electrocardiogram
• An echocardiogram
• An implantable loop recorder
• A Holter monitor
• An event recorder

Sometimes, arrhythmias can come and go, and symptoms can be difficult to diagnose. Specialized testing can get to the root of your symptoms.

If your heart-monitoring tests can't detect an arrhythmia, your provider may try to induce one. Tests that help reveal an arrhythmia include:

• Stress tests
• Tilt table tests
• Electrophysiological testing and mapping

Your provider uses your test results to determine what kind of arrhythmia you have. Each test result helps guide treatment and protect your heart. 

What treatments are available?

Heart & Vascular Institute offers a wide range of treatments for arrhythmias, including prescription drugs. Medications can often help restore an abnormal heart rate or rhythm. Some drugs also prevent or break up blood clots. 

If medication doesn't help, your provider may recommend cardioversion or catheter ablation. These treatments use electric shocks or radiofrequency energy to correct an arrhythmia. 

Sometimes, surgery may be your best bet. Implantable devices like pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) can treat stubborn arrhythmias. Surgery may also improve blood flow to the heart and remove blockages. 

Don't let an undiagnosed arrhythmia put your health at risk. Call Heart & Vascular Institute today or schedule an appointment online.