As the term suggests, a Cardiac Electrophysiologist is a heart specialist that uses electrical signals to treat heart rhythm disorders. It is unfortunate but if facts are to be believed, every forty seconds, someone in the U.S. dies because of a heart attack.
Source: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-an-electrophysiologist
Cardiac arrests and heart disorders have become such a common disease that the demand for experts like Cardiac Electrophysiologist in New York has increased tremendously.
While most people are aware of cardiologists, Cardiac Electrophysiologists are still known by few. Cardiac Electrophysiology is a subspeciality that requires additional training of 3-5 years by cardiologists. Let’s try to understand all about them.
Who Is a Cardiac Electrophysiologist?
A cardiac electrophysiologist or a cardiac EP is a medical practitioner, who specializes in treating heart rhythm problems. Heart rhythm disorders / Arrhythmias occur when the electrical impulses that synchronize your heartbeats tend to malfunction, leading your heart to beat irregularly (Too fast or too slow).
To put it simply, heart rhythm disorders are irregularities in your heartbeat that may cause fluttering in the chest, chest pain, fainting or dizziness, or even serious issues like a cardiac arrest. A cardiac electrophysiologist works on regulating those irregularities for you to make your heart healthy again.
What Does a Cardiac Electrophysiologist Do?
A human heart pumps 4,300 gallons of blood every day through our body’s complex vascular network. Even though the primary function of the heart is the displacement of blood, it regulates the electrical impulses to create the heartbeats. An electrophysiologist is highly specialized in a cardiac practice that involves analyzing, diagnosing, and treating abnormal heart rhythms.
Here are a few other important functions they conduct/ practice:
A cardiac EP studies the heartbeats by recording the electrical activity of the heart by inserting a catheter into a blood vessel through a site in the neck or groin. They are guided by fluorescent images of heart muscles to reach the heart.
- Once the catheter reaches the heart, an electrical mapping is conducted to identify the location of the area which is disrupting the electrical flow with the help of electrodes at the tip of the catheter.
- EP studies help to locate the precise heart tissue that causes irregular electrical impulses resulting in Heart Rhythm Disorders /
- Cardiac EP also involves antiarrhythmic, drug therapy, implantation of pacemakers, and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICDs)
- Cardiac Electrophysiologists perform surgical device implantations and interventional cardiac Electrophysiology Studies (EPS).
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How Is an Electrophysiologist Different From a Cardiologist?
The heart has two primary functions:
- To pump the blood throughout the body
- And remember to pump blood
Pumping blood is similar to a plumbing system wherein the heart muscle acts as the pump, circulating the blood through a network of “pipes” (i.e. arteries and veins).This system is regulated by an electrical system, the electrical impulses that coordinate the signals to the parts of the heart to contract.
Anybody suffering from a heart disease usually sees a cardiologist given that they are experts in the area. But since cardiac electrophysiology is a sub-specialty, your cardiologist recommends you to see a cardiac electrophysiologist in cases when they need a detailed test on the
condition. Here’s how you can understand the difference between a cardiologist and a cardiac electrophysiologist.
A cardiologist focuses on
- The mechanical function of the heart
- They study the health of heart muscles and vascular system
An electrophysiologist focuses on
- The electrical system of the heart.
- They study and treat heart rhythm irregularities.
When Should You See a Cardiac Electrophysiologist?
While most cardiologists are equipped with adequate knowledge and experience to deal with cardiovascular diseases, there are certain cases where a specialized doctor is required. That is exactly when a Cardiac Electrophysiologist steps in. He/she is also a cardiologist who specifically tests and treats irregular heart rhythms. They send electrical signals to the electrical system of your heart to regulate the rhythm and heart rate.
Few of the reasons that would lead you to have an appointment with a Cardiac
Electrophysiologist are:
- Abnormal or irregular heart rhythm
- A sudden loss of consciousness
- Already going through a heart surgery
- Have a risk of death through cardiac arrest or related issues
Most of the appointments with a Cardiac Electrophysiologist are prescribed or recommended by your cardiologist in times when they feel the need for expert advice.
While visiting a Cardiac Electrophysiologist for a test, make sure to inform them about all your medications. Do not drive alone because you might need some moral support. Also, if they have to conduct a test on you, make sure to stay away from food and drinks for at least 6-8 hours.
Summing Up
As we mentioned above, an appointment with a Cardiac Electrophysiologist in New York is usually recommended by the cardiologist, so it is fair to say that they are experts in their fields. The test takes about 1-4 hours and is performed in a specialized laboratory or hospital. The doctor will insert a thin tube through your arm, neck, or even the groin area to reach the blood vessels in your heart. Electric signals are sent to the heart to observe its functioning and fix the irregularities. They recommend treatment after reviewing the test results.