Heart Rhythm Institute
Posted on July 1st, 2021
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a common type of arrhythmia where the bottom chambers of the heart (the ventricles) cause extra beats. Typically, each beat of the heart begins in the sinus node in the upper chamber (the atria) of the heart. The electrical impulse from the sinus node causes the atria to contract and send blood into the ventricle. When the ventricle beats sooner than... Read More
Posted on May 1st, 2021
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a genetic disease that involves a defect in the cells that hold the heart muscle together. Over time, the damaged cells are replaced by scar tissue and fat deposits. This impacts the structure of the heart muscle and interrupts the heart’s electrical system, which can result in an arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm. While the name of the... Read More
Posted on April 1st, 2021
There are many different types of heart rhythm disorders and many different medications that can be used to treat them. After diagnosing a heart rhythm disorder, your doctor will formulate a treatment plan that fits your individual situation. Treatment could range from simply monitoring a slight arrhythmia for changes to prescribing medications or recommending a surgical procedure or implantable... Read More
Posted on March 1st, 2021
Oklahoma Heart Hospital now offers a new treatment option for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib). In fall 2020, the FDA approved the Thermocool Smarttouch Catheter for use in AFib patients. This new treatment offers better long-term results for those with persistent atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia, especially among older people. In patients with... Read More
Posted on February 1st, 2021
It’s important to know that a history of heart disease raises your risk for having a severe case of COVID-19. This truth became evident early in the pandemic, and we are still learning all the ways and reasons that coronavirus affects the heart. While heart disease does not increase the risk of contracting the virus, it does increase the risk of severe complications.
The virus that causes... Read More
Posted on January 1st, 2021
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is a rare condition affecting the electrical pathways that regulate how the heart beats. With WPW, there is an extra electrical pathway between the heart’s upper and lower chambers, which causes the lower chambers to beat too early and the heart to beat rapidly.
This extra electrical pathway is present from birth. WPW is associated with the presence of other... Read More
Posted on December 1st, 2020
Atrial flutter is a heart rhythm disorder where the upper chambers, or the atria, beat too quickly. In addition to beating faster than normal overall, the upper chambers also beat faster in relationship to the ventricles, or lower chambers.
A group of cells called the sinus node stimulates the heart to beat, and an electrical pathway flows around your heart to regulate the rhythm. This... Read More
Posted on November 1st, 2020
Bradycardia is the term used for an abnormally slow heart rhythm. While normal heart rate can vary a bit from one person to the next, generally healthy hearts beat between 60 and 100 beats per minute when at rest. A resting heart rate of less than 60 BPM could indicate bradycardia. For some people, specifically athletes and those who are physically active, lower resting heart rates are still... Read More
Posted on October 1st, 2020
If you are preparing for heart surgery or have recently had heart surgery, you may be thinking about potential complications and wondering what to expect for your recovery period. Did you know that many patients experience a heart rhythm issue following heart surgery?
The most common type of heart rhythm issue after surgery is atrial fibrillation. Up to 40% of patients who have heart surgery... Read More
Posted on September 1st, 2020
In September we recognize National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month. Atrial Fibrillation (AF or AFib) is the most common heart rhythm disorder. Millions of Americans live with AFib, and not all of them know they have it. Some may not have any symptoms, while others may have mild symptoms but are undiagnosed. For some, AFib only happens occasionally, but for others it is chronic.
What is atrial... Read More