A heart problem can be scary to hear. Everybody knows it is an alarm to check your body with a Doctor. The question is, are you consulting the right Doc for your worries? Generally, we consult cardiologists for any heart-related problems. But did you know that there are subspecialists too? One such subspecialist is the electrophysiologist. When one goes to a general physician or a cardiologist, they detect any problem with the heart rhythm. Then, they suggest you see an electrophysiologist in Sydney. Heart disorders are shared across the globe. It could be due to lifestyle, poor eating habits and stress. Often women ignore themselves when it comes to their heart health. In Sydney, women under-treated for heart attack die twice the rate of men.
Electrophysiologists are also cardiologists but are specialists in problems related to the heart rhythm and electrical signals of the heart. They could also be known as EPs, cardiac electrophysiologists or arrhythmia specialists. The irregular beating of the heart is known as arrhythmias. These rhythms may be too fast or too slow, or very irregular. But what changes these rhythms? A core is a complex system with nodes, valves and chambers. The blood flow to the heart depends on these elements. Any damage or disruption to these elements can cause arrhythmias.
Who is an electrophysiologist?
All electrophysiologists are cardiologists. One goes to the electrophysiologist in Sydney if they find some issues with their heart rhythm or the heart’s electrical activity. They diagnose your problem. They are highly specialized to use the devices and in performing the tests. Then they treat you according to its results with medication or further treatments. Some diseases that they could diagnose and treat are
- Bradycardia: This is a condition where the heart rhythm is slow
- Tachycardia: This means your heart rhythm is too fast and further diagnosed to find the origin.
- Atrial fibrillation: When the heart is shuddering and fluffy, it is called Atrial fibrillation.
- Cardiac arrest: Sudden stop of the heartbeat is called cardiac arrest.
- Premature contractions: In this case, the heart usually skips a beat. One can detect this problem while checking the wrist pulse or chest pulse. Also, the heartbeat could be early, or there may be an extra beat per minute.
Symptoms of abnormal heartbeat
- You may feel dizzy
- You may have breathing trouble.
- A chest pain that radiates to your left heart
- Heart palpitations
- You have turned pale and are sweating heavily.
- You fell unconscious suddenly.
Reasons why you could be to the electrophysiologist in Sydney
- You have been detected with an abnormal heartbeat.
- You have a risk of Sudden cardiac arrest, which may lead to death.
- When you are about to undergo any heart surgery.
- You want to be certified free from health problems.
What will an EP Doctor do?
When you visit an EP Doctor, first they would go for a physical examination of your body. It will include checking the heartbeat with a stethoscope and checking your wrist. Then an Echocardiogram (ECG) will be taken. It helps to detect the electrical activity of the heart. Then an EP study will be suggested if necessary. It helps to find out the cause of the abnormal heartbeat.
How is an EP study done?
The most often asked question is, “does an EP study hurt?” An EP study does not cause any pain. One could be instructed not to eat after midnight if they might go for an EP study that day. If you are under medications, it is better to ask your EP if you could take them.
During an EP study, One may get an IV inserted through their hand or arm. They place electrodes on your chest for complete heartbeat monitoring. Before the procedure starts, they would give you sedatives or general anaesthesia to bring you to a relaxed and sleepy state. Then they would insert small thin electrodes into the veins in the groin or arm. With the help of fluoroscopy, it is slowly threaded to your heart. Then, they send an electrical impulse to the heart to check the source of the abnormal heartbeat.
