You feel your heart skip, flutter, or suddenly pound out of your chest. Palpitations are alarming. Even more frightening is a sudden blackout or syncope (fainting) that seems to come out of nowhere. These symptoms are not just nuisances, and they can be your heart telling you its electrical system is having a problem. Heart rhythm management helps to ensure the correct and safe beating of your heart.
As an expert in cardiac electrophysiology at a centre like Royal Papworth Hospital, Dr Begley focuses on diagnosing and fixing these faults in your heart’s natural wiring. It is this combination of precise diagnosis and modern technology that can give you back your life.
When the rhythm goes wrong
Your heart is a muscle, but it runs on electricity. A tiny area called the sinus node acts as the natural pacemaker, sending out electrical signals that tell the heart chambers when to contract. An arrhythmia happens when this system short-circuits, causing the heart to beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly (like in atrial fibrillation). Heart rhythm management is an exact science which is why specialists are so important.
For many patients, these rhythm problems lead to symptoms ranging from light-headedness to the alarming experience of fainting. Dr Begley aims to quickly identify the exact cause. Assessment often begins with a simple ECG or ambulatory ECG monitoring to catch the irregular beat in action, which is the essential first step to guiding treatment.
The technology that restores order
Once we know what the fault is, Dr Begley can offer permanent solutions using advanced techniques and devices, which are central to his practice:
Catheter Ablation
For rhythms like supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or complex atrial fibrillation (AF), ablation is often a permanent cure. Dr Begley uses tiny wires threaded through blood vessels to locate the specific piece of tissue causing the short-circuit. He then uses heat or cold to create a small scar that blocks the faulty electrical signal, restoring a normal rhythm.
Cardiac Devices
If the heart beats too slowly or a patient is at risk of a sudden cardiac arrest, a device can be life-saving. Dr Begley has performed thousands of these procedures, implanting pacemakers to keep a slow heart rate stable, or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) to deliver a shock that stops life-threatening fast rhythms like ventricular tachycardia (VT). He has extensive experience in all aspects of device therapy, including the latest leadless pacemakers.
Why choose a cardiac rhythm specialist?
When your heart’s electrical stability is in question, you want an expert who works exclusively in this highly specialised field. Dr Begley’s dedication to cardiac rhythm management (CRM) is backed by his years of experience as a consultant at a world-renowned centre.
His involvement in medical education and research ensures he is always at the forefront of the latest techniques for complex arrhythmias. He offers you the best chance for a successful outcome, moving you from a life controlled by palpitations and fear of fainting to one with a stable, healthy heart rhythm.
Appointments for heart rhythm management
If you are experiencing any worrying symptoms which could be linked to your heart health, booking in with Dr Begley can get you the answers you need. Book in today to discuss your concerns.