Common arrhythmias, or disrupted electrical activity of the heart’s conducting system, can include bradyarrhythmia, or arrhythmias that cause a slowed heart rate such as heart block, and tachyarrhythmia, or arrhythmias that cause a fast heart rate such as atrial fibrillation. In addition to a variety of medications intended to treat these abnormal heart rhythms, cardiologists often employ the use of pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), or automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (AICD). These are devices that protect patients against complications and even death associated with certain arrhythmias, and are typically placed during procedures performed at a hospital. Regular and consistent follow up is necessary for not only ensuring proper operation and function of the device, but also to review crucial information about the heart that these devices can capture to help guide your care.
