A Patient's Guide To Heart Rhythm Problems (a Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)

A Library Journal Best Consumer Health Book of 2010 Heart rhythm problems can be a matter of life or death. In this easy-to-read guide, Dr. Todd Cohen provides comprehensive information to help people with heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Dr. Cohen tells readers what they need to know about palpitations, rapid heart rhythms (tachycardias), slow heart rhythms (bradycardias), cardiac arrest, and other conditions related to irregular heartbeats. With the goal of informing and empowering heart patients, Dr. Cohen describes the heart's basic function, the various conditions associated with arrhythmia, and recommended courses of treatment. He discusses such procedures as tilt table testing, electrophysiology studies, catheter ablation, and device implantation (including cardiac monitors, pacemakers, defibrillators, and biventricular devices); explains the essentials of CPR and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs); and presents the latest guidelines from the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the Heart Rhythm Society. A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems will help readers understand • how the heart works and what can go wrong • the tests and other diagnostic procedures they may undergo • how their doctor reaches a diagnosis • what their diagnosis means • how their doctor might treat the problem • when medication alone is sufficient treatment • when pacemaker, defibrillator, or biventricular therapy is appropriate • how to get the best possible medical care—in and out of the hospital Endorsed by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, this essential resource features tables highlighting key information, as well as patient narratives that provide personal insight into arrhythmia tests, treatments, and technologies. Discusses Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Treatment Options For Patients With Heart Rhythm Problems (arrhythmias) Explaining The Heart's Basic Function, Related Conditions, Biventricular Therapy, And Other Related Topics. The Basics. Overview ; Who Is Your Cardiologist? ; The Pulse : Heartbeat And Rhythm ; Heart Rhythms ; The Pump -- Heart Rhythm Abnormalities. Slow Rhythms : Bradycardias ; Fast Rhythms : Tachycardias ; Ventricular Tachycardia And Ventricular Fibrillation ; Supraventricular Tachycardia ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Atrial Flutter -- Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Sudden Cardiac Arrest ; Syncope -- The Tests. Electrocardiogram (ecg Or Ekg) ; Stress Test And Related Procedures ; Continuous Monitoring Devices ; Echocardiogram ; Computerized Axial Tomography (ct) Angiogram And Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mri) ; Cardiac Catheterization, Coronary Angiogram, Left Ventriculogram, Angioplasty, And Stenting ; T-wave Alternans (twa) ; Electrophysiology Study (ep Study) ; Tilt Table Test -- Procedures And Medications For Treating Heart Problems. Catheter Ablation ; Electrical Cardioversion And Defibrillation ; Heart Medications. Devices For Treating Heart Problems. Pacemakers; Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (icds) ; Biventricular Devices ; Implantable Cardiac Monitors ; Device Implant Procedures ; Device Replacement And Lead Extraction ; Recalls -- The Diseased Heart. Heart Failure ; Cardiomyopathy ; Hereditary Conditions -- Prevention And Resuscitation. Preventing Heart Disease ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (cpr) ; Automatic External Defibrillator (aed) -- Follow-up And Patient Care. Patient Follow-up ; Support Groups ; Defensive Patienting 101 : A Primer On Patient Safety -- Appendixes. A, When An Electrophysiology Study Is Appropriate ; B, When An Implantable Permanent Pacemaker Is Appropriate ; C, When An Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Is Appropriate ; D, When Biventricular Therapy Is Appropriate. Todd J. Cohen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 197-200) And Index.

Heart rhythm problems can be a matter of life or death. In this easy-to-read guide, Dr. Todd Cohen provides comprehensive information to help people with heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Dr. Cohen tells readers what they need to know about palpitations, rapid heart rhythms (tachycardias), slow heart rhythms (bradycardias), cardiac arrest, and other conditions related to irregular heartbeats.

With the goal of informing and empowering heart patients, Dr. Cohen describes the heart's basic function, the various conditions associated with arrhythmia, and recommended courses of treatment. He discusses such procedures as tilt table testing, electrophysiology studies, catheter ablation, and device implantation (including cardiac monitors, pacemakers, defibrillators, and biventricular devices); explains the essentials of CPR and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs); and presents the latest guidelines from the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the Heart Rhythm Society.

A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems will help readers understand

• how the heart works and what can go wrong
• the tests and other diagnostic procedures they may undergo
• how their doctor reaches a diagnosis
• what their diagnosis means
• how their doctor might treat the problem
• when medication alone is sufficient treatment
• when pacemaker, defibrillator, or biventricular therapy is appropriate
• how to get the best possible medical care—in and out of the hospital

Endorsed by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, this essential resource features tables highlighting key information, as well as patient narratives that provide personal insight into arrhythmia tests, treatments, and technologies.

Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) can be a matter of life or death, and people with arrhythmias must get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This guide provides information about palpitations, rapid heart rhythms (tachycardias), slow heart rhythms (bradycardias), cardiac arrest, and other conditions related to irregular heartbeats.