Detecting rhythm irregularities early can prevent serious health complications linked to an abnormal heartbeat, ranging from stroke to sudden cardiac death.
Our Premier Cardiology Consultants team uses reliable, highly advanced testing to detect and treat heart arrhythmias.
From studies that provide a 60-second glimpse of your heart’s rhythm to long-term monitoring over days, weeks, or months, our focus is providing New Yorkers with the most comprehensive cardiac care available.
Here are three essential reasons our cardiologists cite for monitoring heart rhythm and a few basics about the studies they may recommend.
Your Premier Cardiology Consultants specialist may recommend monitoring your heart rhythm to:
An arrhythmia occurs when the heart beats too quickly, slowly, or erratically. Some arrhythmias are harmless, while others signal serious conditions like atrial fibrillation (AFib), ventricular tachycardia, or bradycardia.
Left untreated, these irregularities can lead to stroke, heart failure, or cardiac arrest. Monitoring heart rhythm allows your cardiologist to identify abnormal patterns early, helping them provide prompt treatment.
For example, if your testing shows atrial fibrillation, your cardiologist might prescribe medications to reduce the risk of stroke or recommend procedures like cardioversion to restore normal rhythm.
A consistent and healthy heart rhythm indicates a well-functioning cardiovascular system. Our cardiologists often monitor heart rhythm to assess a patient’s risk for heart disease. Variations in heart rhythm can be an early indicator of coronary artery disease, heart failure, or cardiomyopathy.
Regular heart rhythm monitoring becomes even more critical for individuals with risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease. Detecting changes in your heart rhythm allows us to take preventive steps to lower the risk of developing more serious heart conditions.
Many patients with heart conditions are on medications or have undergone procedures to correct heart rhythm problems. Our Premier Cardiology Consultants team uses heart rhythm monitoring to track the effectiveness of these treatments.
Whether it’s medication for high blood pressure, a pacemaker for bradycardia, or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for preventing sudden cardiac arrest, monitoring ensures the treatment is doing its job.
Our Premier Cardiology Consultants specialists use several methods to monitor heart rhythm, depending on your physical exam, symptoms, medical history, and family health history.
Common techniques include:
This is a standard test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It's quick and often done in a doctor's office or hospital. It gives us a 60-second glimpse of the heart's rhythm.
An EKG can detect arrhythmias, signs of a previous heart attack, or other issues requiring further monitoring or treatment.
Named for the biophysicist who invented it, a Holter monitor is a portable EKG device about the size of a small cell phone that you wear for 24 to 48 hours (sometimes longer).
The device continuously records your heart's electrical activity over this period, allowing your cardiologist to capture irregular rhythms that may not show up during a standard EKG.
Similar to a Holter monitor but used for extended periods (weeks to months), an event monitor may be set to record only if you activate it (usually when you feel symptoms) or when its sensors detect an abnormal heart rhythm.
This small device is implanted under the skin and continuously monitors heart rhythms for up to three years.
MCT uses a more advanced monitor that records continuously and sends the data wirelessly to a monitoring center. It allows real-time tracking and immediate alerts for significant abnormalities.
This type of EKG is performed as you exercise (usually on a treadmill or stationary bike) to see how the heart responds under physical stress.
Though primarily used to assess heart structure and function, an echocardiogram (using ultrasound technology) can help monitor rhythm when combined with an EKG during certain types of stress tests.
Schedule an evaluation at Premier Cardiology Consultants today for comprehensive cardiac care personalized to meet your needs.
