Heart Rhythm Treatment at Cleveland Clinic

Heart Rhythm Treatment provides specialized evaluation and treatment for abnormal heart rhythms, also known as arrhythmias, which can affect the rate or regularity of the heartbeat. Treatment is individualized according to the type of rhythm disorder, symptoms, underlying heart condition, medical history and overall cardiovascular health. Depending on the patient's condition, treatment may include medications, catheter-based procedures, cardioversion, ablation, pacemaker implantation or other specialized cardiac therapies.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of heart rhythm treatment depends on the type of arrhythmia, specialist consultation, diagnostic testing, electrophysiology studies, medications, catheter-based procedures, ablation, device implantation, hospitalization and follow-up care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the patient's treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Heart Rhythm Treatment?

Heart Rhythm Treatment focuses on diagnosing and managing abnormalities in the electrical system of the heart.

Heart rhythm disorders may cause the heart to beat:

• Too fast

• Too slowly

• Irregularly

• With abnormal electrical patterns

Treatment depends on the specific rhythm disorder and the patient's overall cardiovascular condition.

Types of Heart Rhythm Disorders

Heart rhythm specialists may evaluate and treat:

• Atrial fibrillation

• Atrial flutter

• Supraventricular tachycardia

• Ventricular tachycardia

• Bradycardia

• Premature heartbeats

• Other complex arrhythmias

Heart Rhythm Evaluation

A comprehensive evaluation may include:

• Medical history

• Symptom assessment

• Physical examination

• ECG

• Heart rhythm monitoring

• Echocardiography

• Blood testing

• Electrophysiology evaluation when appropriate

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart.

It may help identify:

• Abnormal heart rhythms

• Heart rate abnormalities

• Electrical conduction problems

• Certain structural or cardiovascular conditions

Heart Rhythm Monitoring

Longer-term monitoring may be recommended when an arrhythmia does not occur continuously.

Monitoring options may include:

• Holter monitoring

• Event monitoring

• Extended rhythm monitoring

• Implantable monitoring devices

The appropriate method depends on the patient's symptoms and suspected rhythm disorder.

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heart rhythm that can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke.

Treatment may focus on:

• Controlling heart rate

• Restoring or maintaining normal rhythm

• Reducing stroke risk

• Managing underlying cardiovascular conditions

Atrial Flutter Treatment

Atrial flutter is an abnormal rhythm originating in the upper chambers of the heart.

Treatment may include:

• Medications

• Cardioversion

• Catheter ablation

• Other rhythm management strategies

Supraventricular Tachycardia Treatment

Supraventricular tachycardia can cause episodes of unusually rapid heartbeat.

Depending on the specific rhythm, treatment may involve:

• Medication

• Vagal maneuvers

• Cardioversion

• Catheter ablation

Ventricular Arrhythmia Treatment

Ventricular arrhythmias originate in the lower chambers of the heart and may require specialized evaluation.

Treatment depends on:

• Type of arrhythmia

• Heart function

• Underlying heart disease

• Risk of serious complications

Bradycardia Treatment

Bradycardia occurs when the heart rate is unusually slow.

Treatment may involve:

• Observation

• Medication adjustment

• Evaluation of electrical conduction

• Pacemaker implantation when clinically appropriate

Heart Palpitation Evaluation

Patients experiencing palpitations may undergo evaluation to determine whether symptoms are caused by:

• Arrhythmia

• Premature heartbeats

• Abnormal heart rate

• Other cardiovascular conditions

Electrophysiology Study

An electrophysiology study (EPS) is a specialized procedure used to evaluate the electrical activity of the heart.

It may help identify:

• The source of an arrhythmia

• Abnormal electrical pathways

• Appropriate treatment options

Catheter Ablation

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat selected heart rhythm disorders.

During the procedure, specialized catheters are used to identify and treat abnormal electrical tissue.

Ablation may be considered for certain:

• Atrial fibrillation

• Atrial flutter

• Supraventricular tachycardias

• Other selected arrhythmias

Cardioversion

Cardioversion may be used to restore a normal heart rhythm in selected patients.

It may involve:

• Electrical cardioversion

• Medication-based rhythm conversion

The appropriate approach depends on the specific arrhythmia and patient's condition.

Pacemaker Treatment

A pacemaker may be recommended for selected patients with significant slow heart rhythms or electrical conduction disorders.

A pacemaker can help maintain an appropriate heart rate.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be considered for selected patients at risk of dangerous ventricular arrhythmias.

The device can monitor the heart rhythm and provide therapy when certain life-threatening rhythms occur.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Selected patients with certain forms of heart failure and electrical conduction abnormalities may benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

CRT is designed to help coordinate the contractions of the heart's lower chambers.

Heart Rhythm Treatment and Heart Failure

Arrhythmias and heart failure may occur together.

Treatment may focus on:

• Controlling abnormal rhythms

• Improving heart function

• Managing medications

• Reducing cardiovascular complications

• Evaluating device-based treatment when appropriate

Heart Rhythm Treatment After Heart Surgery

Some patients may develop rhythm abnormalities following cardiac surgery.

Specialized rhythm evaluation may help determine whether the arrhythmia requires:

• Monitoring

• Medication

• Cardioversion

• Ablation

• Device treatment

Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation

Certain patients with atrial fibrillation have an increased risk of stroke.

Treatment may include assessment of stroke risk and appropriate preventive therapy according to individual medical factors.

Complex Heart Rhythm Disorders

Patients with difficult-to-treat arrhythmias may require multidisciplinary evaluation.

Care may involve:

• Electrophysiologists

• Cardiologists

• Cardiac surgeons

• Cardiovascular imaging specialists

• Other cardiovascular professionals

Heart Rhythm Treatment Planning

Treatment planning may consider:

• Type of arrhythmia

• Frequency of episodes

• Symptoms

• Heart structure

• Heart function

• Previous treatments

• Medications

• Overall health

Post-Treatment Monitoring

After treatment, patients may require ongoing monitoring of:

• Heart rhythm

• Heart rate

• Symptoms

• Medication response

• Device function

• Heart function

Recovery After Heart Rhythm Procedures

Recovery depends on the treatment performed.

Patients may require:

• Temporary activity restrictions

• Medication management

• Wound or catheter-site care

• Rhythm monitoring

• Follow-up appointments

Long-Term Heart Rhythm Management

Long-term management may include:

• Regular cardiology follow-up

• ECG testing

• Rhythm monitoring

• Medication adjustment

• Device checks

• Lifestyle management

Heart Rhythm Second Opinion

Patients who have received a recommendation for ablation, pacemaker implantation, ICD placement or other rhythm treatment may seek a heart rhythm second opinion.

Specialists may review:

• ECGs

• Holter monitor results

• Echocardiograms

• Electrophysiology reports

• Previous procedures

• Medical records

• Proposed treatment plans

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant cardiovascular records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• ECG reports

• Holter monitoring results

• Echocardiograms

• Cardiac imaging

• Electrophysiology reports

• Previous ablation records

• Device information

• Current medication list

Benefits of Specialized Heart Rhythm Treatment

Specialized rhythm care may help:

• Diagnose abnormal heart rhythms

• Control heart rate

• Restore normal rhythm when appropriate

• Reduce symptoms

• Treat selected arrhythmias with catheter ablation

• Provide pacemaker or ICD treatment when indicated

• Reduce complications associated with certain rhythm disorders

• Monitor complex arrhythmias

• Provide specialized rhythm second opinions

• Support long-term cardiovascular care

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Heart Rhythm Treatment?

Cleveland Clinic provides multidisciplinary heart rhythm care involving electrophysiologists, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiovascular imaging specialists and other healthcare professionals.

Depending on the patient's condition, treatment may include medications, electrophysiology studies, catheter ablation, cardioversion, pacemaker implantation, ICD therapy or other specialized rhythm management.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of heart rhythm treatment depends on the type of arrhythmia and treatment required.

Potential costs may include:

• Electrophysiology consultation

• ECG

• Heart rhythm monitoring

• Echocardiography

• Electrophysiology study

• Catheter ablation

• Cardioversion

• Pacemaker implantation

• ICD implantation

• Hospitalization

• Medications

• Device monitoring

• Follow-up consultations

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's individual treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What heart rhythm problems can be treated?

Heart rhythm specialists may treat atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, bradycardia and other abnormal heart rhythms.

2. Can heart rhythm disorders be treated without surgery?

Yes. Depending on the arrhythmia, treatment may include medications, cardioversion, catheter ablation or monitoring without open-heart surgery.

3. What is catheter ablation?

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses specialized catheters to identify and treat abnormal electrical tissue responsible for certain arrhythmias.

4. When is a pacemaker needed?

A pacemaker may be recommended for selected patients with significant slow heart rhythms or electrical conduction disorders.

5. How much does heart rhythm treatment cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on evaluation, diagnostic testing, medications, procedures, device treatment, hospitalization and follow-up care.

Product Details

Product Name: Heart Rhythm Treatment

Hospital: Cleveland Clinic

Brand: Cleveland Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Cardiology & Heart Surgery

Service Type: Heart Rhythm Treatment

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA