Podcasts – Heart Rhythm Center

This is the final podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and we will be discussing how patients can adjust to living with heart rhythm disorders. We will start with adjusting to life after being diagnosed with heart-rhythm abnormalities. Next, we'll talk about the quality of life in heart-rhythm patients and how do arrhythmias affect you and your family. Arrhythmias in children and young adults can be challenging and we'll spend time on this issue. Finally, we'll examine patients that have palpitations without arrhythmias. Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center as we begin the new series What is a Defibrillator?

This is the eleventh podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and we will be discussing the postoperative care following EP studies. We will cover care of the vascular access sites including showering/bathing restrictions. Other activity limitations including driving issues will be addressed. Finally, the first followup appointment after the EP study will be explained as well as lifestyle limitations that may be recommended. Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for the final podcast in the What are Palpitations? series: Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias.

This is the tenth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and we will be discussing the complications that can occur during or after EP studies. We begin the discussion with an explanation of the types of complications and their treatment. We will end by discussing special EP studies and ablations that may have higher rates of complications and lower success rates. Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts: Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation) and the Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

This is the ninth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on the preparations necessary before proceeding with an electrophysiology study including elements of the preoperative workup. We will discuss the electrophysiology laboratory where the procedure is performed and steps involved in performing the procedure. We'll talk about what happens if your doctor cannot find or ablate the arrhythmia as well as postoperative care. Finally, we will discuss advanced treatment options for atrial fibrillation. Topics include: Preoperative risk assessment, Use of contrast agents during EP studies or ablations, Thyroid issues, Allergies, Registration and check-in, Informed-consent process, The procedure room, The EP study, How does the doctor place catheters inside the heart?, What happens if my doctor cannot successfully find an arrhythmia?, What happens if my doctor cannot successfully ablate the arrhythmia?, Immediately after the EP study, Day after the EP study, and Advanced treatment options for atrial fibrillation Please check back with the Heart-Rhythm-Center.com for future podcasts to include: Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations, Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation), and Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias.

This is the eighth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on the treatment options for arrhythmias. We will be discussing everything from lifestyle modifications that may help reduce arrhythmias as well as medications that are often used in arrhythmia treatment.  Topics include: Lifestyle, Can exercise cause heart-rhythm problems?, Medications, Anticoagulation, Ablation, and Cardioversion. Please check back with the Heart-Rhythm-Center.com for future podcasts to include: The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure, Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations, Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation), and Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias.

This is the sixth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on the common ventricular arrhythmias that many patients may experience. We will be discussing premature ventricular contractions (called PVC's) which are very common and thankfully usually quite harmless. We will also be discussing various types of ventricular tachycardias; many are easily treated though some may require defibrillator therapy. A brief outline includes: Premature ventricular contractions, Ventricular tachycardia, Non–coronary disease VT, and What are defibrillators? Please check back with the Heart-Rhythm-Center.com for future podcasts to include: Treatment Options for Arrhythmias The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation) Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

This is the sixth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on atrial fibrillation. We will be discussing the most common arrhythmia seen in clinical practice. The listener will be introduced to the mechanisms of, causes of, and treatments for atrial fibrillation. There are extensive explanations about the noninvasive and invasive treatments available for atrial fibrillation. Topics include: Normal electrical activation versus atrial fibrillation, Signs and symptoms, Causes of atrial fibrillation, Understanding your risk of stroke, Is there a difference between atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation?, Is there a cure for atrial fibrillation?, and What is atrial flutter? Please visit www.heart-rhythm-center.com for more information.

This is the fifth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on the most common supraventricular (top-chamber) tachycardias (SVT). We will be discussing a variety of the more common SVT seen in clinical practice and clinical scenarios are used to introduce the listener to these types of arrhythmias.  Arrhythmias discussed include: Premature atrial contractions, AV-node reentrant tachycardia, AV reentrant tachycardia, Atrial tachycardia, Atrial flutter, and Atrial fibrillation (will be discussed in great detail in podcast 6). Please visit www.heart-rhythm-center.com for more information.

This is the fourth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on what to expect during your visit with the heart rhythm specialist. We will be discussing what information we hope to glean from the patient during our initial visit and what may help us determine if you are at risk for heart rhythm disorders.  Topics discussed include: History of present illness, Past medical and surgical history, Social history, Family history, Physical exam (including vital signs), and Pertinent studies. Please visit www.heart-rhythm-center.com for more information.

The third podcast in the What are Palpitations? series focuses on what tools/techniques your care providers have to diagnose abnormal heart rhythms. Topics include: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), Twenty-four-hour Holter monitor, Two- to four-week outpatient telemetry monitor, Hospital telemetry, Smartphone-based applications, Tilt-table test, and Implantable loop recorders Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts to include: Work-up and Evaluation of Heart-Rhythm Disorders (Meeting the Heart-Rhythm Physician) What Are the Common Supraventricular (Top-Chamber) Tachycardias? What Is Atrial Fibrillation? What Are the Common Ventricular (Bottom-Chamber) Tachycardias? Treatment Options for Arrhythmias The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation) Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

This second podcast in the What are Palpitations? series focuses on palpitations and other symptoms that may represent heart-rhythm abnormalities. You will learn about the difference between a normal and abnormal heart rhythm. Most importantly, we learn that palpitations are the sensation of an irregular, fast, uncomfortable, or strong heartbeat. Other topics include: Other symptoms that may represent heart-rhythm abnormalities, Know your ejection fraction, What are ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia?, Is there a difference between atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation?, and Congestive heart failure and risk of arrhythmia. Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts to include: How Are Heart-Rhythm Abnormalities Diagnosed? Work-up and Evaluation of Heart-Rhythm Disorders (Meeting the Heart-Rhythm Physician) What Are the Common Supraventricular (Top-Chamber) Tachycardias? What Is Atrial Fibrillation? What Are the Common Ventricular (Bottom-Chamber) Tachycardias? Treatment Options for Arrhythmias The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation) Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

The first podcast in the What are Palpitations? series lays the foundation for future discussions on heart rhythm abnormalities. You will learn about the heart anatomy including blood flow, coronary arteries, the electrical conduction system and how the electrocardiogram is used to learn about the heart's function. Future podcasts include: 2. Palpitations and Other Symptoms That May Represent Heart-Rhythm Abnormalities (Arrhythmias) 3. How Are Heart-Rhythm Abnormalities Diagnosed? 4. Work-up and Evaluation of Heart-Rhythm Disorders (Meeting the Heart-Rhythm Physician) 5. What Are the Common Supraventricular (Top-Chamber) Tachycardias? 6. What Is Atrial Fibrillation? 7. What Are the Common Ventricular (Bottom-Chamber) Tachycardias? 8. Treatment Options for Arrhythmias 9. The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure 10. Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations 11. Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation) 12. Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias For more information, more detailed discussions, and illustrations, please visit www.heart-rhythm-center.com.