Diagnosing and treating the electrical activities of the heart

The heart beats when electrical impulses stimulate the heart muscles to contract. In a healthy person, these impulses come at regular, predictable intervals that allow the heart to respond to the demands placed upon it (for example, an increased heart rate when exercising) and to beat in a proper rhythm. When these electrical impulses are abnormal or erratic, various tests and procedures may be required in order to identify and correct the problem.

The board-certified cardiologists and the entire cardiology team at Hurley Medical Center are highly skilled in this area of diagnosis and treatment, and have performed thousands of successful procedures. They help patients understand the purpose of the tests and techniques, and make sure that they and their families understand how to prepare for the procedure and what to do afterward.

Common cardiac tests and procedures include the following:

• Arrhythmia treatment
• Cardioversion
• Electrophysiology studies
• Internal defibrillator placement
• Pacemaker placement