Treatment FAQ

a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal heart rhythms

by Reanna O'Reilly Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in heart issues, including arrhythmias.

What kind of Doctor treats arrhythmias?

This doctor is a cardiologist who specializes in the care and treatment of arrhythmias. They may prescribe a course of treatment and relay that information to your general practitioner for your extended care, or they may serve as your primary doctor for your arrhythmia.

How is heart arrhythmia diagnosed?

To diagnose a heart arrhythmia, the doctor will usually do a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms. Tests may be done to confirm an irregular heartbeat and look for conditions that can cause arrhythmias, such as heart disease or thyroid disease.

What are the treatments for heart arrhythmias?

Treatment for heart arrhythmias may include medications, therapies such as vagal maneuvers, cardioversion, catheter procedures or heart surgery. Medications used to treat heart arrhythmias depend on the type of arrhythmia and potential complications.

How does an ICD work to treat an irregular heart rhythm?

If the ICD detects an abnormal heart rhythm, it sends out low- or high-energy shocks to reset the heart to a normal rhythm. An ICD doesn't prevent an irregular heart rhythm from occurring, but it treats it if it occurs.

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What is a rhythm specialist?

Cardiac Electrophysiologists (or Heart Rhythm Specialists) are cardiologists who specialize in the electrical system of the heart. Heart rhythm abnormalities can be properly diagnosed and treated after a thorough medical history and non-invasive procedures by our highly skilled Heart Rhythm Specialists.

What is the heart beats doctor called?

A cardiac electrophysiologist is a specialist who understands heart rhythms and can diagnose and treat any heart rhythm problems.

What kind of doctor is an electrophysiologist?

Electrophysiologists, as the name suggests, deal with electricity--specifically, with the electrical impulses in the heart that control its rhythm and trigger heartbeats. The electrophysiologist is trained to diagnose and treat arrhythmias.

What is the medical term of the heart rhythm is abnormal?

Typical heartbeat A heart arrhythmia (uh-RITH-me-uh) is an irregular heartbeat. Heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) occur when the electrical signals that coordinate the heart's beats don't work properly.

What does a cardiologist treat?

A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the cardiovascular system — mainly the heart and blood vessels. In order to become a cardiologist, a physician must attend four years of medical school and an additional six to eight years of internal medicine and specialized cardiology training.

Is a cardiac physiologist a doctor?

Cardiac Physiologists help Doctors to find, diagnose and treat heart disease. You will use equipment to check the working of the heart and blood vessels. You'll also record information from these tests and pass them to a specialist Doctor (Cardiologist).

What is a heart electrician?

An electrocardiologist, also known as a cardiac electrophysiologist, is a cardiologist who specializes in the electrical system of the heart. These doctors receive the same education and training as a cardiologist, as well as additional training to diagnose and treat heart arrhythmias and cardiac rhythm disorders.

What is electrophysiology of the heart?

An electrophysiological study (EP study) is a test used to evaluate your heart's electrical system and to check for abnormal heart rhythms. Natural electrical impulses coordinate contractions of the different parts of the heart.

What is the difference between an electrophysiologist and a cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a surgical specialty that focuses on all disorders of the heart through the use of surgery and other treatment options. An electrophysiologist (EP), on the other hand, treats heart arrhythmias or AFib caused by disruptions in the normal heart rhythm.

What is a rhythm medical term?

[rith´m] a measured movement; the recurrence of an action or function at regular intervals.

What are the different types of heart rhythms?

There are five main types of arrhythmias, described by the speed of heart rate they cause and where they begin in the heart....Ventricular arrhythmiasVentricular fibrillation.Ventricular tachycardia.Premature ventricular beats (PVCs)Torsades de pointes.

Who is the primary care doctor for arrhythmias?

Your primary care doctor or cardiologist may refer you to an electrophysiologist. This doctor is a cardiologist who specializes in the care and treatment of arrhythmias. They may prescribe a course of treatment and relay that information to your general practitioner for your extended care, or they may serve as your primary doctor for your arrhythmia.

What kind of doctor is a cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in heart issues, including arrhythmias. Your cardiologist will likely conduct a variety of diagnostic tests to determine if you have an arrhythmia, what part of your heart is affected, and the severity of your condition.

What do doctors want to know about you?

It’s important that you answer honestly. Your doctor can only make an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment recommendation if they have complete and accurate information. Remember that whatever you tell your doctor is confidential.

Why is it important to have your doctor's diagnosis written down?

Having this information written down will save time and help prevent you from forgetting anything important.

What causes arrhythmias?

High levels of stress can contribute to arrhythmia.

Can anxiety cause arrhythmias?

Worrying about an arrhythmia can lead to stress and depression and make your arrhythmia worse. It’s good to make time for fun and relaxation on a regular basis. This may be hard at first, but as you begin to feel better it will become easier.

Can arrhythmias be serious?

However, it can be serious and a sign of a greater issue, such as heart disease, if it’s persistent. Getting treatment for your arrhythmia may involve seeing many doctors and specialists. If you also have heart disease, you may need to see a doctor who specializes in that.

The anatomy of arrhythmia

Electrical impulses cause the heart to contract thereby pumping blood out to the body. Arrhythmias result when something goes wrong with this complex electrical system. Chaotic electrical impulses can slow the heart or cause the heart to race. Symptoms vary and include:

When to see a doctor

"If you have symptoms, a family history of arrhythmia or heart disease, you should discuss any irregular heart rhythms with your doctor or cardiologist," reports Dr. Ludden. "We offer several diagnostic tests and treatment options."

What is it called when your heart beats too fast?

Tachycardias. Tachycardias occur when the heart beats too fast. This is usually thought to occur when the heart rate is above 100 beats a minute at rest. Fast heartbeats may originate from the top chambers of the heart, the bottom chambers of heart, or the conducting system of the heart which would include the sinus node, ...

What causes abnormal heartbeats?

Abnormal heart rhythms may be caused by abnormalities within the heart or problems outside of the heart. Fever , anxiety, thy roid conditions and kidney malfunction are some conditions that may affect the heart rate and rhythm.

What is heart block?

Heart Block. A disturbance of the conduction of the cardiac impulse from the top chambers to the bottom chambers of the heart is called heart block. When symptoms are severe, treatment may include a cardiac device such as a pacemaker or an implantable cardiac defibrillator.

What causes heart rhythms to change?

Abnormal heart rhythms may cause the heart to beat too slow or too fast, or they may disrupt the coordination between the top and bottom chambers of the heart. This may cause a change in heart function leading to symptoms. The symptoms associated with abnormal heart rhythms may include palpitations, skipped heart beats, rapid heartbeats, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, chest pressure or chest discomfort. Abnormal heart rhythms may be caused by abnormalities within the heart or problems outside of the heart. Fever, anxiety, thyroid conditions and kidney malfunction are some conditions that may affect the heart rate and rhythm.

Why is my heart rate so slow?

A slow heart rate may be due to either lack of impulse generation from the heart’s natural pacemaker called the sinus node, or reduced transmission of the cardiac impulse by the conduction system.

What to do if you think you have a heart arrhythmia?

If you think you may have a heart arrhythmia, make an appointment with your family doctor. If a heart arrhythmia is found early, your treatment may be easier and more effective. Eventually, however, you may be referred to a doctor trained in heart conditions (cardiologist).

How do you treat arrhythmias?

Treatment for heart arrhythmias may also involve catheter procedures or surgery to implant a heart (cardiac) device. Certain arrhythmias may require open-heart surgery.

What is an ICD for cardiac arrest?

An ICD is a battery-powered unit that's implanted under the skin near the collarbone — similar to a pacemaker.

How does cardioversion work?

If you have a certain type of arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation, your doctor may use cardioversion, which can be conducted as a procedure or by using medications. In the procedure, a shock is delivered to your heart through paddles or patches on your chest.

What to do if you have an arrhythmia and you have difficulty exercising?

If doctors are evaluating you to determine if coronary artery disease may be causing the arrhythmia, and you have difficulty exercising, then your doctor may use a drug to stimulate your heart in a way that's similar to exercise. Tilt table test. Your doctor may recommend this test if you've had fainting spells.

Why do doctors use pacemakers?

If slow heartbeats (bradycardias) don't have a cause that can be corrected, doctors often treat them with a pacemaker because there aren't any medications that can reliably speed up the heart. A pacemaker is a small device that's usually implanted near your collarbone.

What is the best way to reset your heart rhythm?

Cardioversion. This method to reset the heart rhythm may be done with medications or as a procedure. Your doctor may recommend this treatment if you have a certain type of arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation.

How to treat a heart rhythm disturbance?

Electrophysiology treatments may include: 1 Cardiac ablation to block abnormal electrical pathways of the heart where rhythm disturbances begin 2 Implantable defibrillator (ICD) insertion to deliver electrical impulses and restore a normal heart rhythm 3 Pacemaker insertion to maintain a normal heart rhythm

Why does my heart beat short?

Our heartbeats are powered by electricity, and sometimes the heart develops a short circuit caused by genetics, age and/or lifestyle. When that happens, your doctor may order an electrophysiology study to help determine the cause of the arrhythmias, the site of the issue, and the best treatment options.

What is the purpose of a cardiac catheter?

The catheters can sense electrical activity and evaluate the heart's electrical system, recording the activity and the electrical pathways of the heart. Electrophysiology treatments may include: Cardiac ablation to block abnormal electrical pathways of the heart where rhythm disturbances begin. Implantable defibrillator (ICD) ...

What are the different types of abnormal heart rhythms?

Types of heart rhythm disorders could include bradycardia, tachycardia, premature heartbeats and atrial fibrillation.

What is an EP doctor?

Electrophysiologists, or EP doctor for short, are cardiologists who have additional education and training in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal heart rhythms. Cardiac EPs could also be considered “heart electricians.” Cardiac health is an important factor, especially as we get older. Every lifestyle choice we make, at any age, plays a role in our overall cardiac condition. At Heart Rhythm Consultants, it is our goal to help our patients manage their condition, whether they suffer from arrhythmias or other irregularities with the heartbeat.

Who is Antonio Moretta?

Antonio Moretta, MD, FHRS is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, and Echocardiography. Dr. Moretta joined Heart Rhythm Consultants, P.A. in November 2018 after servicing the Huntington area for five years. Respectively, he received training in cardiology at Lenox Hill Hospital and Northshore University and in clinical cardiac electrophysiology at Stony Brook University.

Who is Dr. Malik?

Dr. Malik is an expert in the treatment of atrial fibrillation utili zing cryoablation a proven treatment in addition to radiofrequency to treat afib Additionally dr malik performs device lead extraction procedure for patients whose device leads have malfunctioned and has extensive research experience with radiofrequency ablation technologies.

Who is Rajesh Malik?

Rajesh Malik, MD FACC, FHRS is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cardiac Electrophysiology. Dr. Malik joined Heart Rhythm Consultants, P.A. in February 2020 after servicing the Bradenton area. Respectively, he received training in cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology at the Medical College of Virginia.

What is a cardiacologist?

What is a Cardiologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners are expert in diseases of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. They consult with surgeons on heart surgery, perform diagnostic procedures, and manage complex conditions such as heart attacks and arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat).

What is a provider directory?

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

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  • A cardiologist or an electrophysiologist – a cardiologist who specializes in arrhythmias – will help with your diagnosis and treatment. During an exam, your doctor will check the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat, listen for a heart murmur, look for signs of an enlarged heart or heart failure (such as swelling in the feet or legs), check your pulse...
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