Patient Education

Our Services
At Heart Rhythm Specialists we treat a variety of genetic, arrhythmogenic, and cardiac conditions for adults of all ages and adolescents as young as 13 years old. Below, you can find patient education materials discussing some of the conditions we treat and procedures we perform in our office.

Conditions We Treat
Click on a condition of interest to learn about what it is, how it is diagnosed, risk factors, causes, and treatment options.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a type of heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) in which the two upper chambers (the atria) of the heart beat irregularly and out of coordination with the rest of the heart. This causes a disruption of the blood flow to the ventricles and the rest of the body.

AVNRT

AVNRT is the most common type of supraventricular tachycardia, which is an abnormally fast heartbeat. It is caused by a reentrant circuit (an accessory pathway) located in or near the atrioventricular node. This reentrant circuit can cause the heart to beat prematurely, leading to fast heart rates.

AVRT

AVRT is the second most common type of supraventricular tachycardia, or an abnormally fast heartbeat. AVRT is caused by an extra, rogue electrical pathway (AKA an accessory pathway) between the heart’s upper and lower chambers that forms an abnormal loop of electrical activity.

Autonomic Dysfunction

Autonomic dysfunction, also known as autonomic neuropathy or dysautonomia, is a group of symptoms that develop as a result of damage to the nerves of the autonomic nervous system.

Brugada Syndrome

A rare genetic disorder that affects the heart’s electrical system which can lead to a dangerous irregular heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (cardiac arrest). Many people with Brugada syndrome don’t show noticeable symptoms and are unaware that they have it until they have a serious cardiac event.

Heart Failure

HF is a condition where the heart isn’t pumping blood efficiently to the rest of the body. It does not mean that the heart has stopped working or “failed.” Heart failure can either be chronic, (develops over a long period of time) or acute (develops suddenly).

Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations caused by abnormal or fast cardiac rhythms have many presentations but are often described as a pounding, racing or fluttering. They can be the result of stress, exercise, or medicine, but sometimes they are a symptom of a serious underlying condition or arrhythmia.

Hypertension

This is a condition that occurs when the force of blood against artery walls is higher than normal. Hypertension is extremely common and often shows no symptoms, but it is very easy to detect with blood pressure readings.

Hypotension

This is abnormally low blood pressure (below 90/60). There are several different types of hypotension, depending on when blood pressure drops.

Long QT Syndrome

Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a rhythm abnormality in which the Q-T interval is much longer than normal. The Q-T interval is a measurement of the time it takes the heart to recharge (repolarize) after contracting. LQTS is either inherited or acquired and it is a serious condition that may cause arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.

Short QT Syndrome

Short QT Syndrome (SQTS) is a rhythm abnormality in which the Q-T interval is much shorter than normal. The Q-T interval is a measurement of the time it takes the heart to recharge (repolarize) after contracting.

Sick Sinus Syndrome

SSS is a disease in which the heart’s natural pacemaker, the sinoatrial (SA) node, malfunctions and is unable to generate a normal heart rhythm, causing the heartbeat to become irregular, resulting in arrhythmias.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts or becomes shallow while sleeping. It is characterized by snoring, gasping during sleep, or abruptly waking in the middle of the night.

Supraventricular Tachycardia

SVT is an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia) caused by irregular electrical activity above the top chambers of the heart.

Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a type of abnormal heart rhythm, or arrhythmia. It occurs when the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles) beat faster than they can fill, resulting in insufficient blood flow to the body and lungs.

Procedures and Tests We Perform
Click on a procedure or test of interest to learn about what it is, what it is used for, and the steps involved.

Ablation

A cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to cauterize or “ablate” tissue in the heart that conducts an abnormal heart rhythm. The scarred tissue stops the arrhythmia-causing signal from conducting.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram (echo) is a test that uses ultrasound waves to create images of your heart. This test allows the doctor to check the health and function of your heart’s chambers, valves, vessels, and aorta.

EP Study

An electrophysiology study (EPS) is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to check the heart’s electrical system and identify any arrhythmias, particularity those that could cause cardiac arrest.

Laser Lead Extraction

Laser lead extraction is a procedure to remove the leads or wires of a pacemaker or ICD. The leads are the wires that deliver the electrical pulses to the heart. Leads are meant to be permanent, but in some cases they may need to be removed.

Loop Recorder

An implantable loop recorder is a small device that records your heart’s electrical rhythms. The loop recorder works similarly to an electrocardiogram (ECG), but unlike an ECG, it can monitor the heart’s rhythm for a long period of time, allowing it to record rare and symptomatic arrhythmias.

Tilt Table Test

A tilt table test is used to determine if your lightheadedness or fainting (syncope) is caused by a drop in blood pressure or heart rate. It can also be used to diagnose an autonomic dysfunction.