CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA TREATMENT IN LONDON
What is cardiac arrhythmia?
A cardiac arrhythmia is when your heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm. This happens because of changes in your heart’s electrical system, which normally controls the way the heart beats in a steady pattern.
Instead of a regular rhythm, an arrhythmia can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly. These rhythm changes can reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively around the body.
When the heart’s rhythm is disrupted, you may feel dizzy, faint or notice palpitations. Without treatment, some arrhythmias may lead to more serious problems, such as stroke or heart failure.
At Expert Cardiologist, our specialists are experienced in diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias. We use advanced heart tests to identify the cause and create a personalised treatment plan to restore your heart’s rhythm and protect your long-term health.
Cardiac arrhythmia treatment
The best treatment for a cardiac arrhythmia depends on the type and how severe it is. We provide a full range of treatment options, starting with lifestyle changes and progressing to procedures where needed.
Making small but important adjustments to daily habits can play a vital role in managing arrhythmias and improving overall heart health.
We may recommend:
- Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise
- Eating a balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, while reducing salt and saturated fat intake
- Managing stress and anxiety
- Limiting alcohol, caffeine and any other stimulants
These changes can help reduce the risk of arrhythmia episodes and support cardiovascular health over time.
Medication is often used alongside lifestyle changes to treat cardiac arrhythmias. Common options include beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, which stabilise the heart’s electrical activity and help restore a normal rhythm. They also ease the workload on the heart by relaxing blood vessels, improving circulation and reducing strain on your cardiovascular system.
Your cardiologist will take the time to understand your symptoms and medical history before recommending the medication that’s most suitable for you.
For some people, a minimally invasive procedure called catheter ablation may be advised. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is guided through the blood vessels into the heart to map its electrical activity. Radiofrequency energy (heat) or cryoablation (freezing) is then used to treat the small area of tissue causing the abnormal rhythm. Treating this area stops the faulty signals from disrupting the heartbeat.
This treatment is commonly used for supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) and some ventricular arrhythmias.
If your heart beats too slowly (bradycardia), your cardiologist may recommend a pacemaker. This small device sits under the skin of the chest and helps keep the rhythm steady by sending gentle electrical impulses to the heart.
At Expert Cardiologist, your treatment plan will always be tailored to your needs, ensuring you receive the safest and most effective care.
Types Of cardiac arrhythmias
There are several different types of cardiac arrhythmia, each affecting the heart’s rhythm differently. The most common include:
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, where the heart beats in an irregular pattern and often faster than it should. Symptoms can include palpitations, dizziness and breathlessness. If untreated, AF raises the risk of stroke.
Supraventricular tachycardia describes sudden episodes where the heart beats much faster than expected, even while at rest. These episodes may begin and end suddenly, lasting just a few seconds or sometimes longer.
Bradycardia is when the heart beats too slowly. It can make some people feel tired, dizzy or faint, although it does not always cause symptoms.
Ventricular fibrillation is rare but serious. Very fast, chaotic signals in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) stop the heart from pumping blood properly. It is a life‑threatening emergency that needs urgent treatment.
Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia
Cardiac arrhythmias can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on the type and severity of the irregular heartbeat. For some people, the signs may be mild, while for others they can be more disruptive.
Common symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia include:
- Heart palpitations (a fluttering, pounding or racing sensation in your chest)
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Sweating during rapid heartbeats
- Weakness
- A fluttering feeling in the chest
It’s important to know that not everyone with a cardiac arrhythmia will have obvious symptoms. In some cases, an arrhythmia may only be detected during a routine heart check-up or test, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG). This is why regular heart checks are so valuable, as they can identify an arrhythmia early and reduce the risk of complications.
What causes cardiac arrhythmias?
Cardiac arrhythmias can develop for many reasons. Underlying heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy, may disrupt the heart’s electrical system. Lifestyle factors and other health conditions also play a part.
Some of the main risk factors for cardiac arrhythmias include:
- Older age
- Family history of arrhythmias
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Too much caffeine or other stimulants
- High levels of stress or anxiety
- Low levels of physical activity
Diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias
Diagnosing cardiac arrhythmia usually involves a series of simple heart tests. The most common is an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the heart’s electrical activity and rhythm. An ECG can quickly detect irregularities such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.
In some cases, we may recommend wearing a portable ECG monitor, such as a Holter monitor, which tracks your heart’s rhythm over 24 hours or several days. These devices can identify arrhythmias that might not appear during a shorter ECG.
An echocardiogram may also be used to create images of the heart’s structure and how it pumps using ultrasound, while a stress test monitors the heartbeat during exercise.
Together, these tests help identify the type of arrhythmia and its underlying cause so your cardiologist can recommend the most effective treatment plan for your needs.
Worried about your heart?
DON’T suffer in silence, seek expert help without delay
Book a cardiology appointment with Dr Karagiannis
Cardiac arrhythmias can be difficult to detect without specialist tests, and early treatment is key to protecting your heart health. At Expert Cardiologist, we provide comprehensive diagnostic testing and a full range of treatments tailored to your individual needs.
Whether your arrhythmia is best managed with lifestyle changes, medication, or a procedure such as catheter ablation, Dr Georgios Karagiannis will guide you through every step with expert care and support.
Book your consultation today to access prompt cardiac arrhythmia treatment and reassurance from a leading London cardiologist.
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