Heart Rhythm Institute
Posted on December 1st, 2022
Sick sinus syndrome is a type of heart rhythm disorder that originates in the sinus node, which is the heart’s natural pacemaker. The electrical system sends a pulse that stimulates different parts of the heart to contract in the correct order and rhythm. The sinus node adapts to the body’s movement and other stimuli that cause the heart to beat faster or slower to regulate how the heart beats.... Read More
Posted on November 1st, 2022
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common heart rhythm disorder. Often noted by patients as a fluttering sensation in the chest, AFib can be occasional or chronic. Millions of Americans live with AFib, and many are unaware of their condition.
Symptoms of AFib range from fluttering or skipped heart beats to fatigue and weakness. Many patients have no symptoms at all and their condition... Read More
Posted on October 1st, 2022
Healthy heartbeats follow a typical pattern. When that pattern is disrupted by damage to the heart or a problem with the heart’s electrical system, it creates an irregular heartbeat, known as an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias often cause the heart to beat too fast or too slow, but other times they create a heartbeat that is out of sync or erratic.
Arrhythmias range in severity, with some requiring... Read More
Posted on June 1st, 2022
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of the heart’s electrical system. Every heartbeat is caused by an electrical impulse and is followed by a brief recharging period. The QT interval represents this recharging time and is controlled by ion channels, including potassium, sodium, calcium, and chloride. When there is a defect in one of these channels, the electrical system does not recharge... Read More
Posted on May 2nd, 2022
In the simplest of descriptions, a stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is interrupted and brain damage occurs. The cause of decreased blood flow that results in stroke can be many different things, including abnormal heart rhythms. This month, we are dedicated to educating and increasing awareness of the causes and signs of stroke and what to do if you or someone you love is experiencing... Read More
Posted on April 1st, 2022
One of the most common causes of fainting episodes is vasovagal syncope. In vasovagal syncope, the brain misinterprets stimuli and overreacts to it, which then causes a sudden drop in blood pressure. The drop in blood pressure results in lower blood flow to the brain, which causes the person to faint.
Simple things can cause a vasovagal episode, such as the sight of blood, a quick change in body... Read More
Posted on March 1st, 2022
Having a pacemaker or implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) placed is a potentially life-saving surgery, and most patients go on to lead relatively normal lives following the procedure. But like any electronic device, they require regular monitoring and will eventually need to be replaced.
There are three general reasons for replacing a pacemaker or defibrillator. The first and most... Read More
Posted on February 1st, 2022
Ventricular fibrillation is a very serious type of heart rhythm issue. Normally, the heart pumps blood based on a series of contractions stimulated by the sinus node, the heart’s natural pacemaker. In ventricular fibrillation, the heart beats rapidly and in a disorganized manner. The ventricles, or lower heart chambers, quiver and are unable to pump blood to the rest of the body. Without... Read More
Posted on January 1st, 2022
For patients with abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, the primary goal of treatment is to restore normal rhythm when possible and to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke if a normal heart rhythm cannot be restored or maintained. There are a variety of ways a doctor may choose to treat arrhythmias, and often they begin by focusing on nonsurgical treatments.
Nonsurgical... Read More
Posted on December 1st, 2021
Tachycardia is the medical term to describe a fast heartbeat. Heart rate varies from person to person and during different activities and times of day. For diagnosing fast and slow heart rates, doctors look at heartbeats while at rest. Any heart rate above 100 BPM at rest is considered faster than normal.
There are several different types of tachycardia, which are categorized and defined by... Read More