October 24, 2017
If an irregular heart rhythm has been detected, you likely expect a referral to a cardiologist. And, while this is true, there is a specific type of cardiologist that you will need to see. Cardiac electrophysiologists, often referred to as EPs, are cardiologists who have additional medical training in the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. When your heart skips a beat, and not in a good way, these are the doctors who will determine why and how to fix it.
The heart has two primary functions: to pump blood throughout the body and to do so effectively and rhythmically. The actual pumping of blood is quite mechanical, and the problems that arise in this realm are either circulatory or structural in nature. Cardiologists are the medical experts in addressing and correcting these problems which can include coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest, or peripheral artery disease.
Heart rhythm disorders, on the other hand, arise from problems within the heart’s electrical system where heartbeat is regulated. When there is a problem here, known as arrhythmia, the heart may beat too fast, too slow, or with an unsteady irregularity. Due to its electrical nature, the treatment of arrhythmia requires additional, specialized training on the part of the physician, who must complete an extra one to two years of training beyond the standard cardiology fellowship. Physicians who complete this specialized cardiovascular training are called Cardiac Electrophysiologists.
More about Electrophysiology from Dr. Abben and Dr. Singh
There are many forms of arrhythmia such as ventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation. The severity of these disorders can vary widely with some posing no serious health threat and others being very dangerous and even life-threatening. Determining how to approach each of these based on the diagnosis and the patient is the vital work of an EP.
In some cases, heart rhythm disorders may merely require lifestyle changes. In others, on-going medication may be required, and in the most severe cases, medical intervention may be necessary. These interventions can include the following:
The overall mission of CIS is to provide our patients with highest quality cardiovascular care available. Cardiovascular Institute of the South is home to five of the leading cardiac electrophysiologists. If you reside in Louisiana, our Houma, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Zachary locations have an EP on staff. If you live in the state of Mississippi, our Meridian location also has an EP on staff. CIS takes pride in providing state-of-the-art cardiovascular treatment for our patients. Our team of Electrophysiologists do the critical, life-saving work of diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders. Having cardiovascular specialists treating patients in our community for complex cardiac conditions is another reason why CIS has grown to become a world-renowned cardiovascular practice.
If your physician has detected an abnormal heart rhythm, time is of the utmost importance. Click on any of the five electrophysiologists below to learn more about them and request a consultation: