Arrhythmias Lab

What is Arrhythmias?

Arrhythmias are disorders of the regular rhythmic beating of the heart. They're common -- in fact, as many as 2 million Americans are living with atrial fibrillation (one type of rhythm problem). Arrhythmias can occur in a healthy heart and be of minimal consequence. They also may indicate a serious problem and lead to heart disease, stroke or sudden cardiac death.

Holter Monitors

A holter monitor is a portable device for continuously monitoring various electrical activity of the central nervous system for 24 or 48 hours. The most common use is for monitoring the heart. Its extended recording period is sometimes useful for observing occasional cardiac arrhythmias or epileptic events that would be difficult to identify in a shorter period of time. For patients having more transient symptoms, a cardiac event monitor which can be worn for a month or more can be used.

What is a natural pacemaker?

The heart's "natural" pacemaker is called the sinoatrial (SA) node or sinus node. It's a small mass of specialized cells in the top of the right atrium or chamber of the heart. It makes the electrical impulses that cause your heart to beat.

A chamber of the heart contracts when an electrical impulse moves across it. For the heart to beat properly, the signal must travel down a specific path to reach the ventricles, the heart's lower chambers.

The natural pacemaker may be defective, causing the heartbeat to be too fast, too slow or irregular. The heart's electrical pathways also may be blocked.

What is an artificial pacemaker?

An "artificial pacemaker" is a small, battery-operated device that helps the heart beat in a regular rhythm. Some are permanent (internal) and some are temporary (external). They can replace a defective natural pacemaker or blocked pathway.

A pacemaker uses batteries to send electrical impulses to the heart to help it pump properly. An electrode is placed next to the heart wall and small electrical charges travel through the wire to the heart. Most pacemakers have a sensing device that turns itself off when the heartbeat is above a certain level. It turns back on when the heartbeat is too slow. These are called demand pacemakers.