Heart and Vascular

Heart Rhythm Disorder

Our team offers the latest treatment options, resulting in successful outcomes for patients with a wide range of heart rhythm disorders.

Find a Provider

Unmatched Heart Rhythm Expertise

Get diagnosis and care for your heart rhythm disorder from the most experienced cardiac rhythm program in Greater Cincinnati with specially trained electrophysiologists and cardiologists. We create a treatment plan with advanced care options tailored to you.

A Top Heart Hospital

Our team is experienced across the spectrum of heart and vascular care. We have been named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery by Healthgrades and one of the World’s Best Hospitals for Cardiology by Newsweek.

Groundbreaking Research

We are leaders in research to develop new techniques in cardiovascular medicine. We have been among the first to perform several cardiac rhythm procedures. That means you have access to treatments not found at many other hospitals.

Heart & Vascular Support Groups

You can receive educational resources and build community in our support groups. We encourage you to join, share your experiences, and learn how to live your healthiest life with your condition.

Return to Anchor Link Navigation - Top of Page

Overview

A heart rhythm disorder, or arrhythmia, is an issue with the heart’s electrical system that causes an abnormal heartbeat. There are three main types. Your heart may beat too quickly (tachycardia), too slowly (bradycardia) or irregularly.

Not all arrhythmias are dangerous. But some could signal a more severe heart problem.

The most common heart rhythm disorders are:

Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Atrial flutter
Atrioventricular block
Bradycardia
Sick sinus syndrome
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
Ventricular tachycardia
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Heart Rhythm Disorder Symptoms

Many arrhythmias don’t cause symptoms. You may learn you have one during a routine exam at a primary care visit.

If you do notice unusual signs, talk to your doctor immediately. Symptoms can include:

Chest pain
Dizziness
Fainting
Palpitations, which feel like your heart is fluttering, pounding, racing or skipping beats
Shortness of breath
Slow heartbeat

Get a Second Opinion

If you’ve received a heart rhythm disorder diagnosis, our team can provide a second opinion for added clarity. Together, we’ll review your symptoms and treatment options. Most insurance plans cover second opinion appointments.

Contact our nurse navigator to schedule a consultation.

Call 513-206-1270 for a 2nd opinion

Return to Anchor Link Navigation - Top of Page

Minimally Invasive Treatments

Experts at The Heart & Vascular Center at The Christ Hospital <link to Heart & Vascular> provide several minimally invasive care options for heart rhythm disorders. These treatments may be an option if your condition no longer responds to medications or lifestyle changes.

Your care team includes an electrophysiologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating electrical activity in your heart. They’ll create a tailored care plan for your specific type of heart rhythm disorder. Your plan may include one therapy or a combination of therapies.

Cardiac Catheter Ablation

Cardiac catheter ablation is a procedure to prevent abnormal electrical signals from traveling through your heart. It can treat symptoms from atrial fibrillation (AFib), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and ventricular tachycardia (VT).

During the procedure, your electrophysiologist guides thin electrodes, called catheters, through the blood vessels in your upper thigh to your heart. The electrodes deliver heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryoablation) energy to treat the source of abnormal electrical signals inside the heart.

In more complex cases, your electrophysiologist may work with a cardiothoracic surgeon to perform a hybrid ablation. This procedure combines catheter and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Pacemakers

A pacemaker is an implantable, battery-powered device that is placed in your chest and connects to your heart with wires called leads. When needed, it regulates your heartbeat by sending gentle electric pulses. We can monitor many pacemakers remotely to detect abnormal heart rhythms sooner.

Thanks to research at The Christ Hospital, our experts were the first in the United States to implant an MRI-compatible pacemaker, helping lead to FDA approval. Today, most pacemakers are safe for use during MRI scans. This feature is important for patients who may need diagnostic imaging in the future.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) send an electrical signal when your heart reaches a dangerously high heart rate that may lead to cardiac arrest. These pulses help restore a normal heartbeat.

We insert ICDs using a procedure similar to pacemaker implantation. Once in place, the device continuously monitors your heart and transmits data directly to your care team. The information helps us track your heart rhythm, check device function and monitor battery life.

Implantable Loop Recorders

Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) are small devices that monitor the heart over long periods. They can help detect abnormal rhythms or palpitations that occur occasionally or unpredictably. Sometimes, we use them to help diagnose unexplained fainting.

Implantation takes only a few minutes during an outpatient procedure. We place the ILR under the skin of your chest, where it picks up your heart’s electrical signals. The device transmits data back to us for study.

Watchman

People with AFib have a five times greater stroke risk. But many struggle to stay on blood-thinning medications due to the required monitoring, lifestyle limitations, and bleeding risks.

We were the first in Greater Cincinnati to introduce the WATCHMAN™ device. This minimally invasive treatment reduces the risk of AFib-related stroke without blood thinners.

The device is small, about the size of a coin. It is inserted through a catheter into the area of the heart where blood clots that cause stroke may form. The one-time procedure seals off this area and prevents clots from entering the bloodstream.

Many health insurance providers cover the WATCHMAN procedure, including Medicare.

Learn More

Research & Clinical Trials

Clinical trials give you access to promising new treatments before they’re widely available.

Learn More

Genetic Counseling for Heart Rhythm Disorders

Learn about cardiovascular genetic counseling at The Christ Hospital Health Network.

Learn More

Return to Anchor Link Navigation - Top of Page

Care Team

Cardiology & Surgeons

Find other area specialists

Return to Anchor Link Navigation - Top of Page

Stories

- Heart & Vascular
- Special Series
BlogJune 06, 2024
MD Insider Staff
Atrial fibrillation (AFib), is projected to impact 12 million Americans by 2030. MD Insider looks at advances in Electrophysiology which specializes in diagnosing and treating heart electrical disorders like AFib.
Learn More
MD Insider: Advances in Electrophysiology and Treatment of AFib
- Webinar
- General Health
- Heart & Vascular
WebinarJune 28, 2024
With Karthik Kanagarajan, MD; Joseph Hellmann, MD; and Eugene Chung, MD
Trouble falling or staying asleep? Turns out 1 in 3 of us aren’t getting enough quality sleep to protect our health. Let’s pull back the covers on common sleep problems – and how some can make your heart work harder when you’re supposed to be at rest.
Learn More
Sleep Better, Feel Better
- Heart & Vascular
BlogJuly 25, 2025
With Christopher Paprzycki, MD, FACS, with The Christ Hospital Physicians - Heart & Vascular
Early detection of heart and vascular conditions can make treatment easier. The Christ Hospital offers quick and easy $75 screenings for multiple heart and vascular conditions.
Learn More
Take 30 Minutes to Protect Your Heart & Vascular Health for the Price of a Date Night
- Heart & Vascular
BlogFebruary 04, 2022
By Daniel Pelchovitz, MD, The Christ Hospital Physicians - Heart & Vascular
Though heart palpitations can be scary, they are usually harmless. Learn what causes them and when it's time to call your doctor.
Learn More
When to See the Doctor for Heart Palpitations

Heart Rhythm Disorder

Unmatched Heart Rhythm Expertise

A Top Heart Hospital

Groundbreaking Research

Heart & Vascular Support Groups