Heart Rhythm Disorders Specialist

Cardiac Care Consultants

Cardiology & Electrophysiology located in Peoria, AZ & Sun City West, AZ

When your heartbeat races or you feel a pounding or fluttering sensation in your chest, you may be experiencing the first signs of a heart rhythm disorder. The expert physicians at Cardiac Care Consultants have extensive experience with heart rhythm disorders and provide treatment to stabilize the heart and prevent serious complications such as a heart attack or stroke. If you have symptoms, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. Call the office in Peoria, Glendale, Sun City West, or Wickenburg, Arizona, or use the online booking feature today.

Heart Rhythm Disorders Q & A

What are heart rhythm disorders?

A heart rhythm disorder refers to one of several conditions that cause a fast heart rate (tachycardia), slow heart rate (bradycardia), or an irregular heartbeat. These disorders, also called arrhythmias, occur when something is wrong with the heart’s electrical system.

Every heartbeat occurs when an electrical signal begins in one area of your heart and travels through the heart muscles. The signal must follow a specific pathway to ensure that the muscles in different parts of the heart are in sync and contract in a way that keeps blood flowing through your heart. As a result, arrhythmias disrupt the supply of blood to your body.

What type of heart rhythm disorder might I have?

There are many different types of arrhythmias, including:

Atrial fibrillation
Atrial flutter
Supraventricular tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular fibrillation
Premature ventricular contractions
Premature atrial contractions
Long QT syndrome
Sick sinus syndrome
Conduction block

Atrial fibrillation is the most common. This arrhythmia occurs when contractions in the heart’s upper chambers (left and right atria) become chaotic, causing a fast, irregular heartbeat that’s out of sync with the lower chambers.

What causes heart rhythm disorders?

Heart rhythm disorders have many possible causes, including:

Reduced blood flow (usually due to coronary artery disease)
Structural and valvular heart disease
Damaged heart muscles
Problems in the electrical system
Low blood oxygen
Some medications
High blood pressure
Electrolyte imbalances
Thyroid disease
Low blood sugar

Lifestyle habits such as smoking cigarettes and drinking too much alcohol may contribute to arrhythmias or the diseases that cause heart rhythm disorders.

What symptoms develop if I have a heart rhythm disorder?

The noticeable symptoms of an arrhythmia include:

Racing heartbeat
Slow heartbeat
Fluttering sensation in your chest
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Fainting

Some people experience fatigue or a feeling of anxiety due to their arrhythmia.

How are heart rhythm disorders treated?

Cardiac Care Consultants conducts one or more tests to evaluate your heart’s electrical activity and blood flow. The team begins with tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, stress test, and electrophysiologic studies.

Depending on your results, they may have you wear a Holter monitor or event monitor, or they may do additional imaging studies.

Your provider chooses the best treatment based on your specific type of arrhythmia and the severity of your symptoms. These are a few examples of the treatments available for heart rhythm disorders:

Micra™ leadless pacemaker
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
Atrial flutter biventricular pacemaker/ICD
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
Electrical cardioversion
Anticoagulation management
Ablation
Watchman™
MitraClip™

Cardiac Care Consultants provides exceptional care for heart rhythm disorders. At the first sign of symptoms, call or book an appointment online.

What we offer