Treatment from an Arrhythmia Specialist in North Jersey, Staten Island & Long Island
An arrhythmia is a common heart condition in which electrical impulses in your heart cause it to beat too slowly or too quickly. At One Oak Medical, Faisal Siddiqi, MD is a board-certified cardiologist specializing in diagnosing and treating all types of arrhythmias. With offices in Paramus and Wayne, New Jersey, Dr. Siddiqi recommends a treatment plan based on your individual cardiology needs. To learn more, call one of the offices or schedule a consultation using the online system.
Arrhythmia Q & A
What is an arrhythmia?
Any time your heart beats outside of a normal rhythm sequence, it’s classified as an arrhythmia.
Your heart has a normal sequence of electrical impulses that help pump blood effectively through all four chambers of the heart. When there’s an interruption in these electrical impulses, that causes your heart to beat too slowly, too quickly, or erratically.
Some arrhythmias are very brief, so they’re not problematic, as your heart resets itself back to its normal rhythm. However, if an arrhythmia lasts a long time, and blood flow to your organs is inefficient, serious health problems can arise.
What does an arrhythmia feel like?
You may not even notice if your heart beats irregularly for a short time, or you may feel a fluttering in your chest or a racing heartbeat. In some cases, you can become dizzy and lightheaded or feel like you might faint. Many times, you won’t even realize you have an arrhythmia until your doctor discovers it during a routine checkup.
How serious are arrhythmias?
Having an occasional arrhythmia isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm. Atrial fibrillation, the most common form of arrhythmia, is usually very manageable with or without medication.
However, there are a few types of arrhythmias that require urgent medical attention to reset your heart back to its proper rhythm. Ventricular fibrillation is one type of arrhythmia that could be life-threatening if not treated right away.
During an episode of ventricular fibrillation (VFib), the heart beats rapidly and irregularly. These heartbeat impulses are so erratic, they cause the ventricles to spasm uselessly instead of pumping blood. Blood pressure drops drastically, and a person can collapse within seconds of a VFib episode, without a detectable pulse.
Anyone with ventricular fibrillation needs immediate medical intervention.
How are arrhythmias diagnosed and treated?
Not all types of arrhythmias are life-threatening, especially occasional episodes where the heart resets itself quickly.
Dr. Siddiqi is an expert cardiologist who is trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating all types of arrhythmia. To assess your arrhythmia, he may perform one or more diagnostic tests, including:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram
- Holter monitor
- Implantable loop recorder
Depending on which type of arrhythmia you have, Dr. Siddiqi recommends the most effective course of action.
If you’re concerned that you or a loved one may have an arrhythmia, call the One Oak Medical office that’s closest to you, or schedule an appointment online.
