Irregular Heartbeat? Here's What Cardiac Electrophysiologists Want You to Know

Have you ever felt your heart racing or fluttering? The feeling can be unnerving. The rapid beating can also be accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness and sweating. These can be symptoms of Atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular and usually fast heartbeat. 

While some cases of AFib can go undiagnosed, it can lead to serious complications, including stroke and even heart failure. 

The Role of a Cardiac Electrophysiologist

Cardiac electrophysiologists are highly trained cardiologists that specialize in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders, also known as arrhythmias. 

Mario Pascual, M.D., an electrophysiologist  at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, says that during Afib, the heart receives electrical signals causing its upper chambers, or atria, to contract in a disorganized fashion, causing the atria to fibrillate or quiver.

One of the most common procedures performed at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute are catheter ablations for treating Afib, according to Dr. Pascual, who has helped thousands of patients with Afib over the past decade. “We’re extremely proud of our results and outcomes,” he says.

Baptist Health Resource had the opportunity to speak with the team of cardiac electrophysiologists at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute about the causes, symptoms and treatments available for arrhythmias.

Symptoms of Arrhythmia

Some of the telltale signs of arrhythmia may include:

• Palpitations: A sensation of a racing, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat.
• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or exhausted, even with minimal exertion.
• Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity or when lying down.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness: Feeling faint or unsteady, sometimes leading to fainting.
• Chest pain or discomfort: This can range from mild to severe and may feel like pressure or tightness in the chest.
• Weakness: A general feeling of weakness or lack of energy.
• Reduced ability to exercise: Feeling more easily fatigued during physical activities that were previously manageable.

Bryan Wilner, M.D., an electrophysiologist with Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute says “symptoms start to become prevalent when the ventricles beat very fast and can include fatigue, palpitations, an irregular heartbeat, dizziness, passing out, shortness of breath and chest pain.”

Juan Viles-Gonzalez, M.D., an electrophysiologist with Baptist Health’s Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, notes that in the vast majority of the patients, it's an acquired condition, and the main risk factors are hypertension, high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood sugar, obesity, or overweight, and a condition that has become more prevalent lately called obstructive sleep apnea, by which patients snore at night, they obstruct their airway, and that has been associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Addressing modifiable risk factors, such as managing blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing alcohol intake, can help reduce the likelihood of developing AFib.

The Institute last year opened the Atrial Fibrillation Clinic where patients with Afib and other heart rhythm disorders can receive comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for their condition. To learn more visit the Baptist Health Atrial Fibrillation Clinic.