Conditions & Symptoms

When patients have problems with congestive heart failure, angina, or heart attack, they trust Cardiovascular Medicine to help them heal.

Clinical Cardiology

We service all major cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions as well as offering diagnostic imaging, ongoing and chronic care, and long-term condition management. You can see cardiovascular specialists at both our Moline and Davenport locations.
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Cardiac Imaging and Diagnostics

Our range of cardiac diagnostic tests can provide the information you need to make informed decisions about your healthcare.
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Electrophysiology

Our care center provides a full spectrum of electrophysiology care, from diagnosis to treatment and management of your condition.
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Invasive & Interventional Cardiology

We are leaders in providing invasive cardiology treatments that relieve your symptoms and lower your risk of complications from heart disease.
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Vein & Vascular Care

Our team of physicians, researchers, and patient care specialists are focused specifically on cardiovascular best practices and lifesaving heart and vein care.
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Procedural Lab
(In-Office)

Our procedural lab is state-of-the-art, featuring one of the most technologically advanced vascular imaging systems available in an office setting.
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Preventive Services

As the best line of defense against heart disease, our clinic specializes in preventive care, including advanced cardiac imaging, risk intervention, and personalized treatment planning.
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CVM Locations

Explore the map below to see location options and find the clinic most convenient for you!
Conditions:

Irregular Heartbeats

An irregular heartbeat is also known as an arrhythmia, when the heart's electrical system, which controls heart rhythm, doesn't work properly. The faulty electrical signaling can cause the heart to beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly.

Irregular Heartbeat Symptoms

You may not notice that you have an irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmias can be harmless for some people. For others, they can cause uncomfortable symptoms and lead to life-threatening complications. Symptoms can vary and may include:

  • Fluttering in the chest
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Sweating

Irregular Heartbeat Treatments

There are a variety of treatments for an irregular heartbeat, including: medication, implanted device, minimally-invasive procedures, and surgery.  The right treatment will depend on what is causing your arrhythmia.

Cardiac catheter ablation uses hot or cold energy on heart tissue, creating scars that block erratic electrical signals from passing through your heart to restore a normal heart rhythm. The procedure could take a total of 6 to 8 hours.

Pacemakers are implantable devices that help maintain a normal heart rate using electrodes attached to your heart that send electrical signals when a slow or irregular heartbeat is detected.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are devices implanted under the skin that deliver shocks to the heart when they detect a fatal rhythm to prevent cardiac arrest.

Recovery

Your recovery time will vary based on the procedure you have. For cardiac catheter ablation, you should be able to resume most normal activities within a few days. Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous work for at least a week after the procedure.

Pacemaker and ICD implantation may require an overnight stay. We recommend avoiding heavy lifting and vigorous activity for at least a month following the procedure and offer device clinics to help you learn how to manage the devices.

Coronary bypass surgery is a major surgery and will require a longer recovery time, including a stay in the ICU unit. You should be released from the hospital within 8 to 12 days.

More on Irregular Heartbeat

Causes of an Irregular Heartbeat

An irregular heartbeat can be caused by many different factors. Some are fleeting and easier to control while others may be harder to manage. Common causes include:

  • Heart attack
  • Scarring from a previous heart attack
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
  • Sleep apnea
  • Genetics
  • Smoking
  • Stress or anxiety
  • Drug abuse
  • Certain over-the-counter cold or flu medications
  • Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine

Diagnosing an Irregular Heartbeat

Having an irregular heartbeat can put you at risk for heart disease or other heart complications. Therefore, seeking a diagnosis and pursuing any necessary treatment is important. We offer several screening tests to diagnose arrhythmia. They include:

  • Electrocardiogram (EKG)
  • Echocardiogram
  • Holter or event monitor
  • Cardiac stress test

Meet Your Illinois and Iowa
Cardiovascular Physicians

Our team of physicians, researchers, and patient care specialists are focused specifically on cardiovascular best practices and lifesaving heart and vein care. We hire and empower the best cardiovascular doctors in the nation right here in the Heartland.

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