Heart Rhythm Disorders
A heart rhythm disorder, known as an arrhythmia, is characterized by abnormal heartbeat - too fast, too slow or irregular. Some arrhythmias don't pose a serious health danger, but others can be life-threatening or a sign of further heart problems. For patients who require treatment, arrhythmia specialists at North Knoxville Medical Center have the training and expertise to provide care.
Symptoms
Some people with an abnormal heart rhythm don’t feel any symptoms. Others describe their symptoms as feeling like their heart is racing, slowing down or skipping a beat. Additional symptoms may include:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
Heart Arrhythmia Diagnosis
Arrhythmia specialists will begin with the medical history, physical exam and a detailed review of symptoms. Afterward, the physician may order tests to examine the heart muscle, the blood flow through the heart and any potential leaking within the heart valves. The tests could include:
- Cardiac catheterization - A minimally invasive way to diagnose a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.
Chest X-ray - An image of the heart and lungs to reveal details of the structures inside the chest, including the lungs, heart and chest wall.- Echocardiogram - An ultrasound image of the heart in motion. It shows various things including the size and structure of the heart and blood flow through it.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) - A painless test that records the heart’s electrical activity, including how fast it beats and whether you’ve had previous heart attacks.
- Electrophysiology testing - Electrophysiology testing is used to evaluate your heart’s electrical system for the cause and location of arrhythmia.
- Event monitors - (Includes Holter monitor) An event monitor is a small device that records the heart’s electrical activity over a long period of time.
- Loop recorder - A loop recorder is a device that’s implanted underneath the skin of your chest to record your heart rhythm for up to 3 years.
- Stress tests - Stress tests are used to assess how your heart works during physical activity. There are several types of stress tests, including treadmill or bike stress tests, nuclear stress tests, stress echocardiograms, and chemically induced stress tests.
- Tilt table test - Tilt table testing allows your doctor to determine the cause of fainting while monitoring changes in your blood pressure and heart rate while tilted at different angles.
Treatment
Depending on the type and severity of the arrhythmia, there are a range of treatment options. We provide arrhythmia treatment, from lifestyle-modification assistance to complex surgical treatment. Our services include:
- Lifestyle modification and medical management - Stress, caffeine, alcohol or other substances can contribute to an irregular heart rhythm. North Knoxville Medical Center provides education and resources to help you adopt healthier lifestyle habits to eliminate arrhythmias. When lifestyle changes are insufficient, arrhythmia specialists can develop a treatment plan using medications.
Cardiac ablation - Procedure that uses heat or cold to destroy heart tissue causing an arrhythmia.- Cardioversion - Fast arrhythmias are treated by delivering an electrical shock to the heart, utilizing an ECG monitor and a defibrillator.
- Catheter ablation – A tiny catheter-guided electrode can be used to eliminate abnormal heart cells that are causing the arrhythmia.
- Implantable devices - Placed just under the skin, small devices are used to send electrical signals to the heart to regulate the heartbeat. A pacemaker is used to regulate a slow heartbeat, and a cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is used to monitor the heartbeat and deliver a shock if a life-threatening rhythm is detected.
- Surgical ablation – When other treatment options are insufficient, arrhythmia specialists can perform surgery to remove the tissue that is causing the arrhythmia.
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