Heart Rhythm Institute
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
Posted on August 1st, 2020
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a heart rhythm issue, you’ve likely encountered some medical terms you hadn’t heard before. This glossary of common heart rhythm terms provides a quick definition of many conditions, diagnostic tests, and treatments for heart rhythm issues.
Ablation — Targeted removal of tissue. Often used to fix heart rhythm problems by clearing obstacles or... Read More
Posted on July 1st, 2020
Your heart relies on electrical impulses to beat and stay in rhythm. When something blocks or impairs that signal, it falls into a general category of heart rhythm issues called conduction disorders. If the block is mild, it may not even be noticeable. But some conduction disorders can be severe.
How electrical signals work in the heart
Your heart sends its signals from the sinoatrial (SA)... Read More
Posted on June 1st, 2020
Your heart has a natural pacemaker, the sinus node, that sends electrical signals across the heart and tells it when and how to beat. Sick sinus syndrome keeps this node from functioning the way it’s supposed to, which results in an arrhythmia.
Symptoms of sick sinus syndrome
Sick sinus syndrome is one of the hardest heart problems to diagnose because it overlaps with so many other possible... Read More
Posted on May 1st, 2020
Dealing with a heart rhythm issue isn’t a challenge you should face alone. It’s one that the people around you need to know about it as well.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a heart rhythm issue, you’ll probably need to have some conversations with family and friends. With some basic education, they’ll know how to help you manage the condition and when to seek medical attention.
Here are a... Read More
Posted on April 1st, 2020
Just like a band doesn’t function right without its rhythm section, your body won’t function right without a heart that stays in time. When heart rhythm issues occur, a medical procedure may be necessary to get it back in rhythm. But in many cases, medications can help regulate your heart rhythm without any additional interventions.
There are two general categories of heart rhythm... Read More
Posted on March 1st, 2020
A heart rhythm issue, also known as an arrhythmia, is a life-altering problem that can show up without warning. Some otherwise healthy people will live for years without a problem then suddenly show an arrhythmia where none existed before.
A sudden heart rhythm issue can be concerning and frightening to the person experiencing it. What’s wrong? Why would something like this happen? And is there... Read More
Posted on February 10th, 2020
Your heart is the most important muscle in your body, and like every other muscle, it runs on electrical impulses. Those impulses tell it when and how to beat and control the pace of your heartbeat. And when those impulses get out of sync, problems start to occur.
How your heart’s electrical system works
Your heart has a well-defined circuit that makes it work, and it starts at the right atrium (... Read More
Posted on January 1st, 2020
Your circulatory system is only really designed to support one person. But when you’re pregnant, it’s doing the work for two.
Though your heart and circulatory system can handle the extra volume, it is an extra strain on the body. A pregnant woman’s blood volume increases by 30 to 50 percent to support the baby, and the heart pumps around 25 percent faster. Blood vessels dilate, and the heart... Read More