Any irregularity in your heart's natural rhythm is called an arrhythmia. Almost everyone's heart skips or flutters at one time or another, and these mild, one-time palpitations are harmless. But there are about 4 million Americans who have recurrent arrhythmias, and these people should be under the care of a doctor.
Arrhythmias can be divided into two categories: ventricular and supraventricular.
- Ventricular arrhythmias happen in the heart's two lower chambers, called the ventricles.
- Supraventricular arrhythmias happen in the structures above the ventricles, mainly the atria, which are the heart's two upper chambers.
Arrhythmias are further defined by the speed of the heartbeats.
- A very slow heart rate, called bradycardia, means the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute.
- Tachycardia is a very fast heart rate, meaning the heart beats faster than 100 beats per minute.
- Fibrillation, the most serious form of arrhythmia, is fast, uncoordinated beats, which are contractions of individual heart-muscle fibers.
Diagnosis
Through their partnership with Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, doctors at the Center for Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology have developed and are using state-of-the-art techniques to address the needs of today's cardiac arrhythmia patients. Because it is a site for clinical trials, the Arrhythmia Center can offer patients and referring physicians a wide range of treatment options.
To learn more about diagnostic procedures, visit the Center for Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology Diagnosis page.
Treatment
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital features the Stereotaxis Gentle Touch™ Magnetic Navigation System which is among the most advanced technology for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. To see a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias (electrophysiologist), patients may either be referred by their primary physician, or they may call 832-355-DOCS (3627).
To learn more about treatment options, visit the Center for Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology Treatments page.
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