Heart arrhythmia

A heart arrhythmia is a misfire in the sequence of electrical impulses controlling how the heart pumps blood. When this occurs, the heart may beat irregularly, too quickly or too slowly. There are numerous potential causes for an arrhythmia, including:

• Arterial blockages
• Congenital heart abnormalities
• COVID-19
• Diabetes
• Drug abuse
• Excess alcohol or caffeine
• Heart attack
• High blood pressure
• Medications or supplements
• Sleep apnea
• Smoking
• Stress and anxiety
• Thyroid problems

Our hospital is home to the only EP lab that services Southeast Idaho, Western Wyoming and Southern Montana. Here, our team is comprised of doctors and registered nurses (RNs) specialized in cardiac care who have been specifically trained on performing EP studies.

EP studies assess the heart's electrical system in order to diagnose arrhythmias. EP studies can also help determine if you need medication, a pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, cardiac ablation or heart arrhythmia surgery.

During an EP study, an electrophysiologist will measure cardiac electrical activity by inserting catheters and wire electrodes through blood vessels entering the heart. While this happens, an advanced GPS guidance system maps a 3D image of your heart while small electrical pulses are sent through the catheter, so your heart beats at different rhythms. The signals produced by your heart are recorded, allowing them to identify where the arrhythmias are occurring.

If it is determined that cardiac ablation is necessary, the doctor will insert another catheter that burns the problem area to restore normal heart rhythm. In some cases, it can be determined that the installation of a pacemaker is necessary.

Pacemakers

A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device — about the size of two stacked silver dollars — that helps regulate your heart rhythm. Having a pacemaker implanted is not considered major surgery. The procedure takes about two hours and is done in the cardiac catheterization lab. The pacemaker is placed just below the collarbone under the skin of your chest, sending out electrical impulses that keep the heart contracting, pumping blood and beating at its proper rate.

The pacemaker continuously senses your heartbeats, pacing your heart only when it has waited a certain amount of time and your heartbeats have not occurred. It is needed when there is a problem with your heart’s electrical system, which can cause very slow heartbeats or both fast and slow heartbeats.

The device has two parts. First, the battery and timer unit, otherwise known as the pulse generator. Second, one or more electrodes and wires carry the electrical impulses to the heart. Our EP services team navigates you through the pacemaker process, from diagnosis to installation to ongoing monitoring after you have the procedure. It is important to note that pacemakers do not hurt, and most people who have them say they cannot feel them when working.

Some symptoms that may indicate a problem and a need for a pacemaker include:

• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Fainting spells
• Shortness of breath