Staten Island Reporter

Cardiac electrophysiology is a medical field that focuses on the heart's electrical system, diagnosing and treating related issues. Specialists known as electrophysiologists meet with patients experiencing various heart conditions, conducting tests to assess heart function and offering treatment options.

The heart's electrical signals control blood flow and heartbeat. Disruptions can lead to arrhythmias or other health problems, often caused by disease, injury, or genetic conditions. These disorders may signal potential severe heart issues in the future.

Individuals with congenital heart defects, heart disease, family history of cardiac conditions, or symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, fainting, pounding in the chest, or shortness of breath should consider consulting an electrophysiologist.

Commonly treated conditions include atrial fibrillation and flutter (fast upper chamber beats), atrial tachycardia (faster upper than lower chamber beats), heart block (improper signal travel between chambers), long QT syndrome (slow electrical recharge), premature contractions (extra beats from upper or lower chambers), sick sinus syndrome (irregular beat speed), supraventricular tachycardia (fast upper chamber beat), ventricular fibrillation (random fast lower chamber movement), ventricular tachycardia (unusual lower chamber signals), and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (abnormal pathway for fast signals).

Electrophysiologists use various tests to examine heart function. These include CT scans for images of bones and tissues; EKGs for detecting attacks or rhythm issues; electrophysiology studies using catheters; MRIs for non-radiative blood flow examination; Holter monitors for daily activity monitoring; tilt table tests for body reaction assessments; transesophageal echocardiograms for internal imaging via sound waves; and transthoracic echocardiograms using ultrasound.

Treatment options vary based on test results. Medications are common but procedures like cardiac ablation—using energy to create scar tissue blocking faulty signals—and cardioversion—applying small shocks to correct rhythm—are also used. Devices such as cardiac event monitors, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) providing low-energy shocks to prevent arrest, and pacemakers sending corrective signals are recommended as needed.

Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island offers specialized care for those with arrhythmias through its Cardiovascular Department. Individuals experiencing these issues are encouraged to seek consultation to explore how cardiac electrophysiology might benefit their health.