6 TexasHealthHuguley.org Most of us have felt our heart race or skip a beat. Maybe it was due to a flutter of emotions, the strain of exercise or too much coffee. But for many people, the heart often beats too quickly, too slowly or erratically. These heart palpitations can be a sign of a condition called arrhythmia. Electrical problems The heart uses electrical pulses to keep a steady beat. Problems with this system can cause an arrhythmia—or abnormal heartbeat. In addition to palpitations, people with arrhythmias may feel: ● Tired ● Faint ● Dizzy ● Short of breath Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. You may need a referral to a heart specialist— perhaps an electrophysiologist (EP). Hearts in good hands “An EP doctor is a cardiologist who is trained to identify and treat electrical problems of the heart,” says Barbara Willis, RN, M.S.N., a cardiovascular service line administrator at Texas Health Huguley. Texas Health Huguley has EPs who can diagnose and treat problems such as: ● Bradycardia (slow heartbeats) ● Atrial fibrillation, or AFib (irregular heartbeats) ● Tachycardia (fast heartbeats) This means you don’t have to travel to Fort Worth to receive a high level of care. “Patients with these conditions can be seen and treated here,” says Jason Cain, RN, B.S.N., M.B.A., CCRN. Jason is the Administrative Director of critical care at the hospital’s cardiac catheterization laboratory, or cath lab. That’s where experts perform procedures such as: Pacemaker insertions. Devices include the Micra pacemaker. It needs no wires (leads) because it is placed directly in the heart with a catheter. Leadless pacemakers may help reduce complications. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator insertions. These devices can prevent sudden cardiac arrest in people with life-threatening arrhythmias. Cardioversions for AFib. This procedure shocks the heart back into normal rhythm. Ablations. Heat energy is used to scar small areas of the heart. This keeps faulty electrical signals from causing irregular heartbeats. Concerns or questions about your heart? Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/ Heart to learn more about our cardiology services. Experts in the heart’s electrical issues Help for arrhythmias, right in the neighborhood
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