When you have an untreated heart arrhythmia, you have a higher risk of developing serious complications like heart failure or stroke. At Advanced Cardiac Care PLLC, Michael Avaricio, MD, has extensive experience treating all types of arrhythmias and conveniently offers the diagnostic tests you need in the office in the Ozone Park area of Queens, New York. To schedule an appointment, call the practice or use the online booking feature.
An arrhythmia occurs when your heartbeat goes slower or faster than normal or starts to beat irregularly. Your heart has its own electrical system, including a pacemaker called the sinoatrial node, that initiates the electrical impulses needed to make your heart muscles contract.
Every time the sinoatrial node fires, the electric signal travels through your heart, making each muscle contract in the exact order needed to move blood through the heart.
You develop an arrhythmia when the electrical system malfunctions, which can happen when:
You’re also at a higher risk if you have high blood pressure, thyroid disease, or coronary heart disease.
There are several types of arrhythmias that can cause the following range of symptoms, depending on which type you have:
You may also feel a slow heartbeat or notice when it skips a beat. Many patients, however, don’t have obvious symptoms.
After talking about your symptoms, reviewing your medical history, and finishing a physical exam, Dr. Avaricio may perform diagnostic testing such as:
With this information, Dr. Avaricio can make a diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment.
Treatment for an arrhythmia is always individualized but often includes lifestyle changes and medications. You can improve your heart’s overall health by losing weight, following a healthy diet, and stopping smoking (if needed).
Dr. Avaricio may prescribe medications to slow down, speed up, or help stabilize your heartbeat. You may also need to take a blood-thinning medication to prevent blood clots.
Conservative therapies don’t always improve an arrhythmia, however, and then you may need a procedure or device to stabilize your heart rhythm such as:
If you experience arrhythmia symptoms, call Advanced Cardiac Care or schedule an appointment online.