Healthy Focus is a magazine published by Duke Raleigh Hospital filled with information to inspire healthy behaviors in the Raleigh, Wake County, and Greater Triangle community.
Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/261889
Spring 2014 HEALTHY FOCUS 3 "Each heartbeat starts with an electrical signal in the upper right chamber, which travels down 'wiring' to the heart's lower chamber, causing the heart to pump," says Kevin P. Jackson, MD, board-certified cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiology (EP) specialist at Duke Cardiology of Raleigh. "Abnormal heart rates and rhythms can occur anywhere along the line." When a problem develops in the heart's wiring, Duke Raleigh's EP team of heart rhythm specialists takes charge. Similar to an electrician, an electrophysiologist diagnoses problems, repairs damage, installs devices to regulate electrical current and works with other physicians to maintain the heart's power source. CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION Just like tracking down a short circuit or blown fuse in your home or car, tracing the source of electrical problems in the heart requires troubleshooting. At Duke Raleigh Hospital, a new state-of-the-art EP laboratory gives EP physicians the most advanced tools and technology to accurately assess the heart's electrical activity, as well as cure many heart rhythm abnormalities. "Duke Raleigh oŠers a spectrum of diagnostic tests, ranging from noninvasive procedures to home monitoring devices to catheter-based electrical studies of the heart," Dr. Jackson says. "Using the biplane fluoroscopy system, we can view the heart from multiple angles, and our advanced cardiac mapping system allows rapid and accurate identification of abnormal electrical signals." GENERATING SOLUTIONS Medication can improve many heart rhythm problems but may not be eŠective for everyone. In these cases, the next step is to remove diseased tissue within the heart, a procedure called catheter ablation. "Long wires are inserted into the heart from veins in the leg, then energy and heat are applied to burn away tissue in the aŠected area," says Dr. Jackson. "Catheter ablation is usually much more eŠective than medication at correcting electrical problems of the heart." Pacemakers, small electronic devices implanted under the skin of the chest, can also help synchronize a heartbeat that is too slow, too fast or irregular by sending small electrical pulses to the heart. Some patients require special devices known as defibrillators, which correct dangerous, rapid heart rhythms by delivering a shock to the heart. A STRONG CONNECTION Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure are among the conditions that may lead to significant electrical disturbances in the heart. Duke Raleigh's EP physicians take a team approach in working to correct underlying causes of heart rhythm problems. To learn more, visit dukeraleighhospital.org or call 1-888-ASK-DUKE (1-888-275-3853). RESTORING THE Over a lifetime, the average person's heart beats 3 billion times. The heart's electrical system sparks every single beat and keeps the heart beating in a regular rhythm some 100,000 times a day. The Heart's Electrical System A heartbeat may be a moment in time, but it is also a complex event. • The beat begins as an electrical signal in the right atrium. • The atria pumps blood into the ventricles. • The ventricles contract. • Blood is pushed to the lungs and the rest of the body. • As the signal passes, the cycle begins again. A problem with any part of this cycle can cause arrhythmia. The good news is advanced medical techniques can successfully treat even serious arrhythmias. Rhythm Kevin P. Jackson, MD