Heart Rhythm Conditions & Treatments
Our electrophysiology team evaluates and treats heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia, and offers advanced options including ablation, pacemakers, and implantable defibrillators.
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Atrial fibrillation, often called AFib, is a common heart rhythm problem where the upper chambers of your heart (the atria) beat irregularly and often too fast. This can make your heart less efficient at pumping blood, and may lead to symptoms like palpitations (a fluttering feeling in your chest), shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, or even no symptoms at all.
AFib is important to recognize because it increases your risk of stroke and heart failure. The irregular rhythm can cause blood to pool in the heart, potentially forming clots that can travel to the brain.
The good news is that AFib can often be managed with lifestyle changes, medications, and in some cases, procedures like cardioversion, catheter ablation, or implantable devices. If you’ve been diagnosed with AFib or think you might have it, a cardiologist can help guide you through the right treatment to reduce your risks and improve your quality of life.
Atrial Fibrillation Resources
Ablation
Blood Thinners
Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
What Is SVT?
Supraventricular Tachycardia, or SVT, is a type of abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that starts in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). It causes the heart to beat faster than normal—sometimes suddenly and unexpectedly. While SVT is usually not life-threatening, it can be uncomfortable and sometimes interfere with daily activities.
Common Symptoms
- Rapid heartbeat or “racing” heart
- Palpitations (feeling your heart skip or flutter)
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort or anxiety
What Causes SVT?
SVT often occurs when the electrical signals in the heart get out of sync, creating a “short circuit” in the atria. It can happen in people with otherwise healthy hearts, and triggers may include stress, caffeine, alcohol, or certain medications.
How Is SVT Treated?
Many episodes of SVT stop on their own. If not, treatments can include:
- Simple physical maneuvers (like bearing down or splashing cold water on your face)
- Medications
- Catheter ablation (a minimally invasive procedure that targets the abnormal pathway)
- Ongoing monitoring and lifestyle changes
SVT is manageable and treatable, especially with the help of a cardiologist who can guide you to the right care plan.
SVT Resources
Pacemaker
What Is a Pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a small medical device that helps control your heartbeat. It’s placed under the skin, usually near the collarbone, and connected to your heart with thin wires. If your heart beats too slowly or irregularly, the pacemaker sends small electrical signals to keep it beating at a healthy pace.
Most people who need a pacemaker have symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, fainting, or shortness of breath caused by a slow or irregular heart rhythm (bradycardia). The pacemaker helps restore a normal rhythm, which can improve your energy level and quality of life.
Getting a pacemaker is a common and low-risk procedure. After it’s implanted, most people return to normal activities within a few days. Your cardiologist will check it regularly and make sure it’s working correctly.
If you’ve been told you might need a pacemaker, it’s because your heart needs a little help staying on track—and this device can make a big difference.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
What Is an ICD?
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, is a small device placed under the skin that helps prevent sudden cardiac arrest. It continuously monitors your heart rhythm and can deliver an electric shock if it detects a dangerously fast or irregular heartbeat (like ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation).
Unlike a pacemaker, which mainly helps with slow heartbeats, an ICD is designed to treat life-threatening fast rhythms. Most ICDs combine both pacemaker and defibrillator functions.
ICDs are recommended for people who have survived a cardiac arrest, have certain heart conditions like cardiomyopathy, or are at high risk for serious arrhythmias. The procedure to implant an ICD is quick and low risk.
The device is monitored remotely and during annual follow-up visits to ensure it’s working well and to check for any delivered therapies. An ICD can be a life-saving device that works in the background—ready to act if your heart needs help.
Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR)
An implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a small device placed under the skin that continuously records your heart rhythm over a long period of time. It is especially helpful for diagnosing intermittent symptoms such as fainting, palpitations, or unexplained strokes when short-term monitors have not given enough information.
ILR Resources
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
What Is a PVC?
A premature ventricular contraction, or PVC, is an early heartbeat that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). It happens before your heart has a chance to fill with blood and pump normally, which can make it feel like a skipped beat or a strong thump in your chest.
PVCs are very common—and in most cases, they’re harmless. Many people experience them occasionally, especially during stress, fatigue, caffeine intake, or after exercise. You may not feel them at all, or you might notice palpitations, fluttering, or a brief pause in your heartbeat.
While occasional PVCs are usually nothing to worry about, frequent or persistent PVCs can sometimes signal an underlying heart condition, especially if you also have symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
If you’ve been told you have PVCs, your cardiologist may recommend monitoring your heart rhythm, making lifestyle changes, or in some cases, medications or ablation procedures—especially if the PVCs are frequent or bothersome.
PVCs are like your heart’s version of a hiccup—usually harmless, but worth a closer look if they happen often or come with other symptoms.
PVC Ablation Resources
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
What Is Ventricular Tachycardia?
Ventricular tachycardia, or VT, is a fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). It happens when abnormal electrical signals cause the heart to beat too quickly—often more than 100 beats per minute—and can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
VT can come in short bursts that stop on their own, or it can be sustained, lasting longer and requiring treatment. Some people with VT feel symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain. In more serious cases, VT can cause fainting or lead to cardiac arrest if not treated promptly.
VT is more likely to occur in people with underlying heart conditions like cardiomyopathy, prior heart attacks, or heart failure, but it can also happen in structurally normal hearts.
Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Options may include medications, catheter ablation (a procedure to eliminate the abnormal rhythm), or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to correct life-threatening rhythms.
If you’ve been diagnosed with VT, it’s important to follow up with your cardiologist to find the cause and create a personalized treatment plan—because fast heart rhythms can be serious, but they are also treatable.
VT Ablation Resources
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