Visit Buckeye Heart & Vascular Institute
Buckeye Heart & Vascular Institute offers diagnostic imaging, testing, and procedures for patients with various heart concerns, including arrhythmias. Our facilities are equipped with the latest technologies and materials, allowing our team of vascular specialists to perform the necessary testing to help patients receive the diagnosis and treatment they need.
An arrhythmia occurs when there is a disruption or change in the heart’s normal electrical impulses. The changes in electrical impulses may cause the heart to beat faster, slower, or irregularly. When the heart is not beating properly, it is unable to pump blood effectively. Arrhythmia is one of the most common cardiovascular concerns a patient could have.
In some patients, arrhythmias cause no symptoms; whereas other patients may experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, or palpitations. Not all arrhythmias are life-threatening; however, it is critical that patients undergo the appropriate testing and evaluations to determine the next course of action.
About Arrhythmias
What causes arrhythmia?
The cause of arrhythmia varies from patient to patient. Your physician will work with you to determine what triggers your arrhythmia.
Arrhythmias may be caused by:
- High blood pressure
- Valve disorders
- Damage from a heart attack
- Cardiomyopathy
- Overactive thyroid gland
- Underactive thyroid gland
- Certain types of medication
- Smoking
- Stress
- Electrolyte imbalance
How are arrhythmias diagnosed?
Your physician may perform a series of tests to determine what type of arrhythmia you may have. Your doctor may also discuss factors like your lifestyle, diet, family history, and medical record.
We have board-certified physicians and electrophysiologists on hand at the Buckeye Heart & Vascular Institute. We offer diagnostic testing and treatments for patients with various types of arrhythmias. Your physician may use one or more of the following tests to determine if you have a heart rhythm disorder:
- Echocardiogram
- Electrophysiology Study
- Holter Monitor
- Event monitor
- Stress Test
How are arrhythmias treated?
At Buckeye Heart & Vascular Institute, we offer advanced, state-of-the-art diagnostic testing for various heart rhythm disorders. Our team of experienced physicians and compassionate staff work with each patient on an individualized basis to evaluate, diagnose, and treat their heart rhythm disorder.
The type of treatment you receive will depend on the type of arrhythmia you have and other factors. Your physician will determine the best type of treatment for you and discuss your aftercare, risk, and benefits.
Treatments for arrhythmia may include:
- Cardiac Ablation
- Anti-Arrhythmic Medication
- Pacemaker
- Electrical Cardioversion
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
- Tilt Table Test
- Heart Surgery
- Lifestyle Changes
What are the types of arrhythmias?
There are multiple types of arrhythmias:
- Tachycardia: The heart beats too quickly
- Bradycardia: The heart beats too slowly
- Irregular Heartbeat or Extra Heartbeats: The heart flutters or fibrillates
- Early Heartbeat: The heart beats prematurely
- Ventricular: The heart arrhythmia is in the lower chamber of the heart
- Superventricular: The heart arrhythmia is in the upper chamber of the heart
Arrhythmia FAQs
What can worsen an arrhythmia?
Depending on your risk factors, particular circumstances could cause an arrhythmia. These include any situations that increase your heart rate, blood pressure, or body’s production of stress chemicals. Blood sugar levels that are either low or too high are triggers for arrhythmias.
Can you live normally with arrhythmia?
If an irregular cardiac rhythm is properly detected, the majority of affected individuals can lead normal lives. Atrial fibrillation, the most prevalent kind of arrhythmia, is characterized by irregular and accelerated heartbeats.
What is the most life threatening form of an arrhythmia?
Ventricular fibrillation is the most dangerous form of arrhythmia because it causes your ventricles to waver instead of beating consistently in time with your atria. Your bloods flow to the rest of your body may stop being pumped by your ventricles as a result of an arrhythmia.
Does arrhythmia get worse over time?
Your AFib episodes may start out being less frequent, but as time passes, the issue can worsen and happen more frequently. Persistent AFib is the term for when symptoms last longer than a week.
How common is arrhythmia?
One in every 18 people, or 5% of the population in the United States, suffers from an arrhythmia. According to recent studies, one in four American adults over the age of 40 may experience an irregular heartbeat at some point in their lifetime.
How do you feel when you have arrhythmia?
Arrhythmias can cause palpitations, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, and shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, our professionals can help you. In our office, we will run tests to find whether you have an arrhythmia, and help treat it if you do.