Heart Rhythm Institute
Posted on July 2nd, 2024
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a common arrhythmia that begins in the atria, or upper chambers, of the heart. AFib causes the heart to beat irregularly, with the upper and lower chambers beating out of sync and sometimes faster than normal.
There are two basic types of AFib – paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and persistent atrial fibrillation.
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
In paroxysmal... Read More
Posted on May 1st, 2024
A heart rhythm disorder, also called an arrhythmia, is an irregular heartbeat. There are different types of arrhythmias, including a heartbeat that is too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or even abnormal heart rhythms for many other possible reasons. Symptoms of heart rhythm disorders vary, just as the types and causes of heart rhythm disorders vary.
Some irregular heartbeats do... Read More
Posted on April 1st, 2024
Atrial fibrillation, commonly called AFib, is a common heart rhythm disorder consisting of a rapid and irregular heartbeat. Symptoms can include a fluttering or pounding sensation in the chest, shortness of breath, and fatigue – all of which can be symptoms of other heart conditions as well. Thus, there can be several steps involved in diagnosing atrial fibrillation.
Medical history
For... Read More
Posted on March 1st, 2024
Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is an electrical issue in the heart. An electrical signal that begins in the right atrium triggers contractions in each heart chamber. From the right atrium, the signal travels down two bundle branches to the ventricles. In LBBB, a delay or blockage occurs on the left bundle branch that causes a delay in the left ventricle’s beat.
Electrical impulses still... Read More
Posted on January 1st, 2024
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that originates in the heart’s atria. The most common heart rhythm disorder, AFib can sometimes be treated by medication but often requires a procedure to remove or destroy the tissue causing the problem.
There are several different types of procedures used to treat AFib. Catheter procedures generally use heat (via radiofrequency) or cold (... Read More
Posted on December 1st, 2023
If you have recently been diagnosed with a heart rhythm disorder, you may be feeling some anxiety or fear regarding the condition. These are understandable feelings that many people experience in the weeks or months following any medical diagnosis.
These tips can help you with navigating anxiety about heart rhythm disorders.
Communicate with your medical team
We often fear the new and... Read More
Posted on November 1st, 2023
If you’ve been diagnosed with a heart rhythm disorder and love to travel, you might be wondering about the impact it will have on your plans. You’ll be happy to hear that travel is still possible, though it may require a little extra planning for some people with heart rhythm disorders. These six travel tips for people with heart rhythm disorders can help.
Manage stress while... Read More
Posted on October 1st, 2023
The heart is a muscle that uses a series of contractions to pump blood to and from the lungs and the rest of the body. These contractions are involuntary and are controlled and powered by the heart’s electrical system.
This conduction system stimulates each part of the heart to contract at just the right time to propel blood through the valves that separate each chamber of the heart. The... Read More
Posted on September 1st, 2023
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders, and it affects millions of people daily. Not everyone who has atrial fibrillation, also known as AF or AFib, is aware of their condition. During September, we recognize National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month to help raise awareness about this condition.
The heartbeat is controlled by a tiny electrical signal that... Read More
Posted on August 1st, 2023
Implantable cardiac devices are used to monitor and treat heart rhythm disorders. The most well-known implantable device is the pacemaker, but there are several other types of devices that may be used depending on the patient’s symptoms or diagnosis.
Pacemaker
Pacemakers work to keep the heart beating at the proper speed and are used to treat patients with many types of arrhythmias.... Read More