Once you have a diagnosis of a heart rhythm abnormality, further tests are often vital to arrange the right treatment plan. Dr David Begley specialises in cardiac rhythm management and can arrange the diagnostic electrophysiology Cambridgeshire patients require to fully understand their heart condition. It is also essential to ensure the best treatment plan moving forward.
Initial Assessments and Examinations for Cardiac Rhythm Problems
Dr Begley requires a thorough assessment to establish the cause of your heart rhythm problem and put in place the best possible management plan.
How you describe your symptoms will often help narrow down the possibilities. However, correlation of your symptoms with an electrocardiogram (ECG) recording is essential to an accurate diagnosis. Some patients have already had this test and where this is the case, we ask that you bring your results from this examination to your consultation.
A resting ECG can often provide a clue to the diagnosis even when recorded in the absence of any symptoms. Patients with a normal resting ECG are unlikely to have a dangerous rhythm abnormality. Continuous or intermittent ambulatory ECG monitoring can help capture symptoms that are intermittent. If that is unsuccessful, insertion of an implantable loop recorder under the skin can help with symptoms that only occur occasionally. If symptom-rhythm correlation still remains elusive a diagnostic electrophysiology study may be necessary.
Diagnostic Electrophysiology Cambridgeshire
A diagnostic electrophysiology study takes place in a catheter lab by a specialist cardiac doctor called an electrophysiologist. The test can take 2-3 hours or longer and you should have the examination and testing on an empty stomach.
During the procedure thin plastic tubes called catheters will be inserted into a vain and they will be passed up to the heart. It is common to feel lightheaded or experience palpitations. This test can be extremely helpful for diagnosing cardiac rhythm problems and give you cardiologist the information they need to plan the right treatment plan for your circumstances.
Diagnostic electrophysiology is a method for stimulating abnormal heart rhythms to allow for a proper diagnosis. It can show which areas of your heart are affected and need to be the focus of treatment.
Appointments for Diagnostic Electrophysiology Cambridgeshire
Dr David Begley is a consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist with many years of experience. Anybody with concerns about their heart or the way it beats should look to see a medical professional as soon as possible. You can arrange an appointment with Dr Begley right here.