Heart Rhythm Disorders
Millions of Americans have arrhythmias, some can be serious or even life threatening. If the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body, the result can be damage to the brain, heart or other organs.
The electrophysiology, or EP, specialists at Lutheran Hospital diagnose and treat heart rhythm disorders. Following a physical exam, review of medical and family histories and diagnostic tests that may include an EP study, the team is able to evaluate, treat and manage the issues that affect the electrical activities of the heart, including:
- Atrial fibrillation: Upper heart chambers contract irregularly and not completely
- Bradycardia: Slow heart rate
- Conduction disorders: Heart does not beat normally
- Premature contraction: Early heart beat
- Tachycardia: Very fast heart rate
- Ventricular fibrillation: Disorganized contraction of the lower chambers; blood not pushed out to the rest of the body
Atrial Fibrillation Increases Risk of Stroke
If you or a loved one have an irregular heart rhythm or have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, it is important to know that this condition increases the chance of a stroke. Stroke is treatable if symptoms are quickly identified. Understanding stroke symptoms and getting medical attention are critical for life-saving treatment.
If you suspect someone is experiencing a stroke, act F-A-S-T.
FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
ARM: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1.
Treatment Options for Heart Rhythm Disorders
When an arrhythmia causes serious symptoms, such as heart palpitations, dizziness, anxiety, weakness, chest pain or fainting, treatment is strongly recommended. Treatments may include:
- Medications: Rate or rhythm control medications can reduce symptoms and blood thinners may decrease the risk of stroke. These medications will treat, but not cure, the problem.
- Cardioversion: During this non-invasive procedure, a low-level electrical shock resets the heart to its regular rhythm. Cardioversion is performed in the EP lab and medications are used to make you more comfortable.
- Ablation therapy: This procedure involves threading one or more catheters through the blood vessels to the areas of the inner heart suspected of causing the arrhythmia. Computer technology creates a 3D image of the heart and identifies the path of the arrhythmia. Electrodes at the catheter tips are then used to alter (ablate) small spots of heart tissue and create an electrical block along the pathway creating the arrhythmia. This therapy can correct the arrhythmia.
- Implantable devices: Devices that may be implanted include:
- A LINQ cardiac recorder - to diagnose heart rhythm disorders
- A pacemaker, leadless pacemaker or cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) - to treat heart arrhythmias
- A cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device - to manage heart failure symptoms
- Advanced procedures: For more advanced or complex cases, the following treatments are available:
- Atrial fibrillation ablation: A special catheter creates an electrical block in the left atrium of the heart to decrease or eliminate AFib.
- Cryoablation: Specialized catheters freeze cardiac tissue for AFib and supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs)
- Convergent procedure: Hybrid procedure involving cardiovascular surgeon and EP physician; combines ablation on the inside and outside of the heart to treat long-standing AFib.
- Laser lead extraction: Laser technology used to remove implanted pacemaker or ICD leads from the heart.
- Left atrial appendage closure device: Reduces risk of stroke in patients unable to take blood thinners.
- Subcutaneous ICD system implant: A defibrillator implanted under the skin, rather than through the vessels, treats rapid, life threatening, irregular heartbeats from the lower chambers of the heart.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
With a long history of excellence in northern Indiana for cardiovascular care, cardiovascular specialists at Lutheran Hospital Heart Center are able to address routine and complex heart and vascular conditions, including sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a heart rhythm disorder, or electrical problem, that causes the heart to stop beating. SCA affects approximately 350,000 people each year and is the leading cause of death in the United States. It is different than a heart attack, which occurs when blockage of one or more arteries reduces or cuts off blood flow to the heart.
Know Your Numbers and Reduce Your Risk
One of the best indicators of SCA risk is ejection fraction. EF is a measurement indicating the percentage of blood being pumped from the heart each time it contracts. There are several ways to measure EF, including:
A normal EF is 55 to 70 percent. A lower EF may require medication management by a physician or evaluation by a heart rhythm specialist to determine if an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) is needed.
SCA Risk Factors
There are a variety of factors that may contribute to a sudden cardiac arrest, including:
- Diabetes
- Personal and family history of heart disease
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Use of illegal drugs
Age and gender also play a role. The risk of SCA increases for men after age 45 and for women after age 55. Men are three times more likely to experience SCA than women.
A number of tests can help determine risk of SCA. These include blood tests, chest X-rays, electrocardiograms (EKGs), electrophysiological testing and heart catheterizations. Help control the risk factors associated with SCA. Follow a heart-healthy diet, exercise regularly, avoid smoking and know your EF. Talk to your doctor to determine what steps are right for you.
For additional information about heart rhythm management solutions for long-term health, call (260) 435-2600.