When should you see a cardiac electrophysiologist?
A cardiac electrophysiologist is a specialist that focuses on the electrical system of the heart. This electrical system controls the speed and rhythm of the heartbeat. Patients are often referred to a cardiac electrophysiologist if they have a heart condition that affects either the rate or the rhythm that the heart beats. Some of the conditions that lead to an electrophysiologist visit are:
- Episodes of extremely rapid heartbeat
- A slow heartbeat that leads to dizziness, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness
- An irregular heartbeat that does not respond to oral medications
- Damage from a previous heart attack
- Chest pain that is due to one of the above conditions
What happens at your first cardiac electrophysiologist appointment?
Cardiac electrophysiologists see patients in a clinic and perform procedures in an operating room. Your first visit will be similar to any other doctor's visit. The doctor will take a history and perform a physical examination. These questions and exams will be focused on the heart. A unique test that electrophysiologists commonly order is ambulatory heart monitoring. This test requires you to wear a small cell phone-sized heart monitor for up to two weeks. Any time you have symptoms, you push a button on the device which allows the electrophysiologist to see the electrical activity of the heart at the moment you are having symptoms.
What should I ask my electrophysiologist?
Ask your electrophysiologist about any daily habits that may affect your heart health. While an electrophysiologist will already know all your medications and medical conditions, they will not know all of your daily habits. Over-the-counter medications, types of exercise, caffeine, and certain foods can all affect the heart’s rate and rhythm. If you have been referred to the electrophysiologist for a procedure, be sure to ask how to prepare for this procedure and common side effects.
Is an electrophysiologist a surgeon?
No, an electrophysiologist is technically a “proceduralist.” Unlike surgery, a procedure can be performed without cutting through the skin to access the organs. Procedures are generally considered lower-risk than surgery and have a much faster recovery time.
What are some electrophysiology procedures?
Electrophysiologists primarily perform procedures that are endovascular (within the blood vessels/heart). This means that they thread small wires up the blood vessels in the arm or leg which allow them to perform procedures on the heart without cutting open the chest. Ablations are by far the most common procedure and are done to remove areas of the heart muscle that are causing excessively rapid or abnormal heart rates.
How serious is a heart ablation procedure?
A cardiac ablation (heart ablation) involves the use of electricity, radio waves, or chemicals to burn away a small area of the heart muscle. This is done to destroy areas of the muscle that are creating abnormal electrical signals and causing the heart to beat in an abnormal rhythm. These procedures are overall very safe and the rate of complications is low. The most common complication is bleeding from the area where the catheter is inserted into one of the arteries. In rare cases (less than 1% of procedures) the removal of the abnormal heart tissue requires the placement of a pacemaker after the procedure.
