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Your heart has its own electrical system, telling the muscle when to contract and beat. When this system malfunctions, your heart squeezes in the wrong order or too weakly to provide enough blood to your body.
Pacemakers provide a solution to this problem by sending their own electrical impulses to the heart. A pacemaker is usually placed through a surgical procedure and prevents problems that can disrupt or endanger your life.
Palpitations are sensations you feel when your heart rate speeds up, or when you can feel it thumping in your chest. They are common, and causes include exercise, stress, and caffeine. Arrhythmias are disruptions in regular heart rhythm and can have more serious symptoms, such as chest pain, light-headedness, and shortness of breath. If you believe you are experiencing arrhythmias, schedule an appointment with a St. Joseph Health cardiologist.
Also referred to as AFib, atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia that can cause other heart conditions such as blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. Physicians may treat AFib with medication, recommending lifestyle changes, or by diagnosing and treating underlying conditions that cause irregular heartbeats.
Caring for your heart health is the best and easiest way to prevent heart disease. Eating a heart-healthy diet, staying active, getting plenty of sleep, and avoiding stress can keep your heart strong.
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To learn more about cardiovascular disease management or treatment options, reach out to our Nurse Navigator.