What is an electrophysiological disorder?
Electrophysiology refers to the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Your heart rate is controlled by a natural electrical system that tells your heart when to beat. Electrical signals usually travel through the heart in a regular pattern. If that electrical system is not functioning properly, your heart rate can be too slow, too fast or simply uneven. It is important to visit a cardiologist if you have concerns that your heart rhythm may be irregular.
Electrophysiological Condition Prevention and Treatment
Changes in heart rhythm may be a consistent problem or may occur occasionally. If your heart is beating at an improper or uneven rate, you may feel symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion or fainting spells. It is likely that these symptoms are more noticeable when you are physically active.
Prevention
- See a cardiologist if you feel you may have irregular heart rhythm
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Eat a heart-healthy diet low in salt, saturated fat, and cholesterol
- Don’t smoke
- Maintain a healthy weight
Treatment
- Medications can include antiarrhythmic drugs, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and anticoagulants
- Catheter ablation is a low-risk procedure in which a catheter is used to apply radiofrequency energy, extreme heat or extreme cold to the tissue responsible for the erratic electrical impulses causing the arrhythmia
- Devices used to help control arrhythmia monitor the heart’s activity continuously and provide correction when problematic heart rhythms occur. These devices include pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators
Dr. Cash Casey talks about heart rhythm disorders
