Heart arrhythmia
Heart arrhythmias are disruptions in a regular heart rhythm, which can include slow, irregular or fast heart beats. They occur when the electrical impulses to the heart stray from their normal sequence and can range from being harmless to life-threatening.
Heart rhythm disorder specialists in Florida
You hear good news, and your heart flutters in response. But when does a more frequent flutter become a sign of something serious?
An irregular heartbeat, or heart arrhythmia, is an often uncomfortable sensation or painful event. It can raise many immediate fears and questions, but we are here to help. Our heart doctors and specialists at HCA Florida Physician practices across the state are highly trained to diagnose and treat irregular heart rhythms.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
Types of arrhythmias we treat
As part of our cardiac health services, we treat all types of irregular heartbeats. They are very common, especially atrial fibrillation (AFib), which impacts millions of Americans. We are very experienced diagnosing and managing these conditions, including:
- AFib
- Atrial flutter
- Atrioventricular (AV) block (heart block)
- Bradycardia (overly slow heart beat)
- Tachycardia (overly fast heart beat)
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
- Palpitations
- Multifocal atrial tachycardia
- Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
Our heart arrhythmia treatments and services
We offer complete diagnostics and treatments for irregular heartbeats and related conditions.
How we diagnose heart rhythm problems
There are many different diagnostic heart screenings and tests that we can use to understand what's going on in your heart. Some of the tests we often use to diagnose arrhythmias are:
- Cardiac stress-testing
- Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
- Holter and event monitors
Electrophysiology (EP)
The study of the heart’s electrical system is what is referred to as electrophysiology. The heart's electrical system controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. Any procedure that requires an electrode catheter to be inserted into the heart is called an electrophysiology study (or EP study). Electrode catheters are long, thin, flexible wires that send electrical currents through the heart.
Using EP to test for heart rhythm disorders
If your doctor thinks you may have a heart rhythm disorder, they may want you to get:
- An EP study
- Tilt-table testing
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
Using EP to treat heart arrhythmias
Our EP services include treatments as well, such as:
- Cardioversions
- Device implantations and lead extractions (e.g., pacemakers, defibrillators and loop recorders)
- Simple and complex ablations
Normal and abnormal heart rhythm test results
Whether your test results are "normal" or "abnormal," it can mean we need to do further testing. Alternatively, it may tell us exactly what's disrupting your heart rhythm. Either way, we will have learned something new, and it will help us ensure you get the most effective treatment.
In each case, we want you to know that your doctor will explain your results to you in full. They will answer your questions and let you take whatever time you need to understand what's next.
Conditions related to arrhythmias
We also treat both rare and common conditions that cause arrhythmias, such as:
- Brugada syndrome
- Cardiomyopathy
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- Long QT syndrome
- Sinus node dysfunction
How we treat arrhythmias
We offer many types of care and treatments for arrhythmias. This includes advanced heart and vascular surgeries, such as:
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device implantations
- Pacemaker (single-chamber, dual-chamber and biventricular) implantations
Catheter ablation
Catheter ablation (meaning "destruction") is a cardiac catheterization procedure used to treat some arrhythmias. It involves a long, very thin flexible tube sent through your blood vessel to your heart. There, electrodes are used to stimulate and record your heart's electrical activity. We then use a machine that sends energy through the catheter to destroy abnormal tissue that is causing your arrhythmia.
Catheter ablation is done in a hospital. The doctors who perform it are specially trained in cardiac electrophysiology and ablating diseased heart tissue.
Remote EKG/ECG monitoring
This is a very innovative type of care that we are proud to offer you. It involves a small device through which we can monitor your heart's activity, 24/7. This safe, incredible technology allows us to keep an eye on your heart from a distance, even if you live in a remote area.
Heart arrhythmia specialists
When you need help for an irregular heartbeat, you will work primarily with our clinical cardiac electrophysiologists. These doctors are specially trained and experienced with the electrical systems of your heart, which cause arrhythmias. They will work closely with you and your other doctors, including:
- Cardiologists
- Cardiovascular surgeons
- Radiologists
- Structural heart specialists
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