Electrophysiology

What is electrophysiology?

Electrophysiology is a subspecialty of cardiology that deals with heart rhythm disorders, which result from problems with your heart’s electrical system.

Pumping blood is a complex process that requires different parts of your heart to work together. Your heart doesn’t pump blood by itself; your heart’s electrical system sends signals to regulate the process. When this system doesn’t work properly, your heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly.

If you have a heart rhythm disorder, a cardiologist with training in electrophysiology like Dr. Helmy is best suited to treat it. As an electrophysiologist, Dr. Helmy performs specialized tests to diagnose arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), including electrophysiology studies, which map the electrical activity in your heart. He treats arrhythmias using procedures such as catheter ablation and implanted devices like pacemakers.

Not all arrhythmias are medically serious, but they’re more likely to affect people with heart disease, and others have serious complications, such as stroke. Other arrhythmias put you at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, which is when your heart abruptly stops working. If you’re concerned about your heartbeat, schedule an appointment with Dr. Helmy today.

What conditions does an electrophysiologist treat?

As an electrophysiologist, Dr. Helmy is equipped to diagnose and treat arrhythmias including:

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

In AFib, the upper chambers of the heart are out of sync with the lower chambers, causing a quivering or fluttering heartbeat. If untreated, AFib raises your chances of having a stroke.

Tachycardia

A tachycardia is a heartbeat that’s too fast (more than 100 beats per minute). If you have a ventricular tachycardia, affecting your heart’s lower chambers, your heart may not be able to pump enough blood into your body, which can be fatal.

Bradycardia

A bradycardia is a heartbeat that’s too slow (fewer than 60 beats per minute). Bradycardia isn’t necessarily a problem. However, some people who have it don’t receive enough oxygen, leading to symptoms like fatigue, lightheadedness, and fainting.

Long QT Syndrome

Long QT syndrome can trigger rapid, erratic heartbeats. The rapid heartbeats can lead to fainting, seizures, and occasionally sudden death.

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome

WPW is when your heart has an extra electrical pathway, which results in episodes of tachycardia.

In some cases, an arrhythmia may result from external factors such as caffeine intake or certain prescription medications. As an electrophysiologist, Dr. Helmy helps you get to the root of your irregular heartbeat to discover the best treatment option for you.

How does electrophysiology treat arrhythmias?

Electrophysiology helps treat arrhythmias by revealing the source of the irregular heartbeat. Through his diagnostic methods, Dr. Helmy figures out which treatment option is best for your case. Treatments for arrhythmias include:

Medication

Dr. Helmy may prescribe prescription medications to regulate your heart rhythm and reduce the risk of blood clots, a common complication of certain arrhythmias, especially AFib.

Catheter ablation

Dr. Helmy performs this minimally invasive procedure by scarring tiny portions of heart tissue responsible for triggering abnormal electrical impulses, leaving healthy heart tissue intact.

Implanted devices

Dr. Helmy can implant devices into your body to reset and control your heart rhythm. If your heart beats too slowly, he may recommend a pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses to keep your heart beating regularly. If your heart beats too quickly, he may recommend an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), which resets your heartbeat when it becomes dangerously rapid or irregular.

To schedule an electrophysiology appointment and find treatment for your heart condition, call Dr. Helmy’s office in Los Angeles California or book an appointment online today.

Call today to schedule an Electrophysiology appointment. 310-672-8209