Read about the advanced therapies performed for heart rhythm disorders at Oklahoma Heart Hospital and stay connected with the Heart Rhythm Institute.
Heart Rhythm Institute Blog
Posted on August 2nd, 2017
An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is frequently used to diagnose a range of health issues. An MRI is the best possible diagnostic test for soft tissue disorders. This includes brain disorders, such as stroke or tumors, along with back and spine disorders. MRI is frequently used by orthopedic surgeons to examine joints. Ear, nose, and throat specialists prefer MRI to examine sinuses and... Read More
Posted on July 6th, 2017
An ultrasound is a specific imaging tool used to diagnose and monitor a wide range of health conditions, including everything from pregnancy to tendon damage to heart disease. A probe that emits ultrasound beams is used to capture real-time images on a screen. Unlike x-rays or CT scans, there is no radiation involved in an ultrasound.
At the Oklahoma Heart Hospital, there are two primary... Read More
Posted on June 15th, 2017
The carotid arteries are the blood vessels on either side of the neck that primarily deliver blood to the brain. Carotid artery disease, also called carotid artery stenosis, occurs when these arteries become narrow due to the buildup of fatty substances and cholesterol deposits, which are commonly called plaque. As this plaque builds over time, it can restrict blood flow to the brain, which may... Read More
Posted on June 1st, 2017
Long QT syndrome is a genetic condition that affects the heart’s electrical system. About 1 in 2500 people in the United States have some form of Long QT syndrome, which can cause cardiac arrest if untreated.
Long QT syndrome is caused by a defect in the ion channels (potassium, sodium, calcium, or chloride) in the heart. An ion channel defect means the heart doesn’t recharge... Read More
Posted on May 15th, 2017
A stroke is a loss of blood supply to the brain, either through a blocked artery or a broken artery that causes bleeding. Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide.
Stroke risk generally increases for older individuals due to weakening of the artery walls, but stroke can affect anyone. A buildup of plaque in the arteries can break lose and cause a blockage, an aneurysm can... Read More
Posted on May 1st, 2017
A stroke occurs when blood flow is obstructed to the brain, which means that no oxygen gets to part of the brain and brain cells die. In the United States, there are about 795,000 new strokes each year. Worldwide, stroke is the second leading cause of death.
While are numerous risk factors for stroke, there are two ways that blood can be cut off from the brain — by a blood clot that... Read More
Posted on April 15th, 2017
In recent years, the presence of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces like schools, athletic complexes, and even shopping malls has increased. An AED is a portable device that scans a person’s heart rhythm and sends an electrical shock to try and restore a normal heart rhythm. It is similar to the electric shock given by first responders or doctors, except that the device is... Read More
Posted on April 1st, 2017
When someone’s heart stops suddenly, vital organs like the brain no longer receive oxygen because blood is not moving through the body. The use of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) as soon as possible after the heart stops can save a person’s life because it continues to circulate blood through the body until emergency medical personnel arrive.
The Oklahoma Heart Hospital offers a... Read More
Posted on March 15th, 2017
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a common tool used to diagnosis and assess heart conditions. It’s a road map of the electrical activity in the heart that a physician can follow to see what is or isn’t working properly. The ECG can present different patterns, but the more important use is identifying why a certain pattern has developed. At the Oklahoma Heart Hospital, ECGs... Read More
Posted on March 3rd, 2017
SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) is a general classification of heart rhythm issues that occur in the upper part of the heart (the atria). As with other heart rhythms, SVTs occur because of a disruption in the heart’s normal electrical rhythm. Symptoms may include heart palpitations, light-headedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, or passing out.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is... Read More