Arrhythmia Treatment in Vernon, NJ

What is a Heart Arrhythmia?

A heart arrhythmia occurs when the heart does not beat properly or pump blood effectively. There are several types of arrhythmias, usually classified by the speed of the heart rate. During an arrhythmia, the electrical impulses may be too fast, too slow, or erratic causing an irregular heartbeat.

At Sussex Cardiology, our expert cardiologists specialize in advanced arrhythmia treatment. Schedule an appointment at our cardiology clinic in Newton, NJ by calling (973) 579-2100.

Symptoms of a Heart Arrhythmia

If you suffer from a heart arrhythmia, you may not even know it. It is fairly common for a person to have an occasional arrhythmia, but if it is regular it can be very serious.

An arrhythmia can occur with no symptoms or you may experience:

• A fluttering in the chest
• Chest pain
• Fainting
• Dizziness

Severity of Heart Arrhythmias

When the heart doesn’t beat properly, it can’t pump blood effectively and this can put your body and organs at risk. The lungs, brain, or other organs may shut down or be damaged. It is important to talk to our cardiologist if you feel like you may have a heart arrhythmia.

If you feel like your heart is beating too fast or too slowly, or it’s skipping a beat, make an appointment to see one of our cardiologists.

Seek immediate medical help if you experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness
• Fainting or near fainting
• Chest pain or discomfort

Causes of Heart Arrhythmia

There are several reasons arrhythmias occur, and they can range in severity.

Most often an arrhythmia is caused by:

• A delay or blockage of the electrical signals that control the heartbeat
• Changes in blood flow
• Damage to the heart’s electrical system
• Stiffening or scarring of the heart tissue
• Excessive exertion, strain, or stress
• An imbalance of fluids, hormones, or electrolytes in the blood
• Certain heart medications

Depending on your age, genetics, lifestyle, or medical conditions you may be more at risk for an arrhythmia.

What Is Tachycardia?

Tachycardia, which is defined by a heart rate that’s more than 100 beats per minute, occurs when the electrical signals in the atria are released in an uncontrolled manner, causing a fast heart rhythm. Some symptoms of tachycardia include an uncomfortable heartbeat that causes shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and chest pain. Tachycardia can be seen in three different forms:

• Atrial Tachycardia – starts in the atria
• Ventricular Tachycardia – starts in ventricles
• Supraventricular Tachycardia – begins above ventricles

What Is Bradycardia?

Having bradycardia means that your heart beats very slowly, typically less than 60 beats per minute. While in many cases, a slow heart rate is healthy, it can also be a sign of a problem with the heart and its electrical system. Common symptoms of bradycardia are similar to tachycardia and include dizziness, shortness of breath, exhaustion, and chest pain.

What is Non-Surgical Ablation Treatment?

During a non-surgical ablation, a catheter is inserted into the part of the heart being affected by the arrhythmia. A machine that is attached to the catheter directs energy to areas of the heart muscle, disconnecting the source of the abnormal heart rhythm.

What are the Surgical Procedures to Correct Arrhythmias?

Pacemakers

If your heartbeat is too slow or irregular, a surgeon can insert an electronic pacemaker to regulate the rate at which the heart is beating. A permanent pacemaker is inserted through a small incision in the upper chest close to a major vein. A wire attached to the pacemaker is moved through the vein and into the heart. This wire carries signals between the heart and the pacemaker. The pacemaker, with its self-contained battery and computer, is placed in a protective area underneath the skin or under muscle where it delivers an electrical impulse whenever it detects a slowing or irregular heart rhythm.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator

Similar to a pacemaker, a cardioverter-defibrillator is another device implanted into the chest that monitors heart rate. While pacemakers are used to help a patient with a slow or irregular heartbeat, it can also be used when a heartbeat becomes too fast. The defibrillator senses when the heart rate increases, and sends out electrical signals to bring the heart rate back down into a normal range.

CryoMaze Heart Surgery

CryoMaze surgery is a procedure that may be used for atrial fibrillation when other treatments are ineffective. With this procedure, a surgeon creates electrical barriers in the upper chamber of the heart by applying an Argon-powered cold probe. By freezing the tissue to very cold temperatures, electrical activity is permanently blocked. The electrical barriers can be created in 60-90 seconds, minimizing the duration of the procedure. Depending upon the circumstances, a minimally invasive approach can be performed using a 2-inch incision in the right side of the chest. This allows patients to return to regular activities within 3 weeks instead of the 8-10 weeks after a traditional procedure.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

If coronary heart disease is the cause of your arrhythmia, your doctor may recommend coronary artery bypass grafting. This surgery uses a grafted vein to form a bypass around a blocked artery to improve blood flow to the heart muscle.

Treatment for a Heart Arrhythmia

If you have a heart arrhythmia, you and our cardiologist will develop a treatment plan to avoid future complications.

The main courses of treatment include:

• Medication
  • You may need medication to help prevent blood clots from forming to reduce stroke or to help control your heart rate
• Lifestyle
  • You may need to make dietary, exercise, lifestyle, or other changes to help manage factors impacting your heart. This can include discussing drugs, smoking, alcohol, or other substances impacting your heart.
• Devices
  • Cardiac implantable electronic devices may control arrhythmias including pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), biventricular pacemakers, and cardiac loop recorders

If you feel like you would benefit from talking to someone about heart arrhythmias, give us a call. We are highly trained in the latest advancements to get your heart beating properly and help decrease your risk.