Three Key Ways to Look at Heart Health
Because the heart is a complex organ, it may be helpful to look at heart health through three main lenses: how it beats (electrical), how blood flows (circulatory), and how it is built (structural).
Electrical (Arrhythmias)
This involves your heart’s internal timing system. If the electrical signals are interrupted, your heart may beat too fast, too slow, or in a disorganized way. Some arrhythmias are generally harmless, while others require urgent treatment.
Circulatory (Blood Flow)
Think of this as the heart’s “plumbing,” where the arteries act as the “pipes” supplying your heart with blood. Issues like high blood pressure or blockages can lead to serious events like heart attack or stroke if left untreated.
Structural (Heart Muscle & Valves)
This refers to the physical build of your heart. Conditions like heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) or complications you were born with (congenital abnormalities) can affect how well your heart pumps.
Who Treats Heart Rhythm Disorders?
While a cardiologist treats general heart issues, an electrophysiologist (EP) is a specialist who has completed advanced training specifically related to your heart’s electrical system. EP’s are the experts most qualified to manage the often complex options for treating heart rhythm disorders.
Heart rhythm care often benefits from a team-based approach, meaning that your EP may work with general cardiologists, primary care physicians, sleep specialists, dietitians, pharmacists, and other providers to deliver the most comprehensive treatment plan possible.
Sometimes heart rhythm disorders can affect children or those born with heart defects (CHD). In these instances, families will work with a Pediatric EP team to navigate care that is specific to pediatric care.
Learn More About Hearth Rhythm Disorders
Heart Rhythm Disorders in Adults
Millions of people experience irregular or abnormal heartbeats, called arrhythmias, at some point in their lives. Most of the time, they are harmless. However, some abnormal rhythms can be serious or even life-threatening.
Heart Rhythm Disorders in Children
Abnormal heart rhythms can occur in children as well as adults. Pediatric arrhythmias can be present at birth or develop in childhood.