Heart rhythm care program

If you have an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), we’re here to help you get the exact treatment you need so you can live an active, healthy life. As a recognized center of excellence for complex arrhythmias, our specialists at the Advocate Heart Institute can detect the subtlest heartbeat irregularity and successfully treat even the most serious arrhythmias.

What sets us apart:

• Top doctors, such as our board-certified electrophysiologists who are among the most experienced in the region in catheter ablation.
• Experience that includes performing more pacemaker and defibrillator implants than most other providers in the Midwest.
• Advanced technology, including being one of the few in Illinois that offer 3D mapping and a navigation system called stereotaxis for catheter ablation, which increases precision and safety and reduces the risk of complications.

What is an arrhythmia?

An arrhythmia is any kind of irregular heartbeat. Your heart may beat too fast, too slow or in an erratic pattern.

Often, an arrhythmia can be harmless and only regular monitoring is needed. But sometimes, it may indicate a more serious condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke or even heart attack. 

Types of arrhythmia we treat

There are several kinds of arrhythmia. And while we see people for the many types of arrhythmia, you’re much more than a case to us. We treat you as person, using the most advanced diagnostics and cutting-edge treatments to quickly and compassionately provide the exact care you need.

We treat all types of arrhythmias, including: 

• Atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common arrhythmia, occurs when your heart's upper chambers beat out of sync, which can lead to blood clots and stroke. 
• Tachycardia, where your heart beats too fast at more than 100 beats per minute and can be a sign of a more serious heart condition.
• Bradycardia, where your heart beats too slow at less than 60 beats per minute, preventing your body from getting the oxygen-rich blood it needs.
• Cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease that causes your heart to become enlarged, thick or stiff, and over time, can lead to heart failure or other conditions.
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a rare condition that’s present at birth, which occurs when you have an extra electrical pathway in your heart that causes a very fast heartbeat.

Treatment for arrhythmia

At the Advocate Heart Institute, you’re in the right place for the care of your heart. As a national leader in cardiac care, our team of specialists has the expertise and experience with the latest and most effective treatments for arrhythmia.

Depending on the type of your arrhythmia, we may recommend:

• Cardiac ablation: In this minimally invasive procedure, we gently guide a catheter to your heart and use heat or extreme cold to destroy the tissue that’s causing the abnormal rhythm.
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy: During a minor surgical procedure, we place a special type of pacemaker under your skin to return your heart to its normal rhythm.
• Cardioversion: Our highly trained cardiologist sends an electric shock to your heart to quickly restore a normal rhythm.
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator: In this procedure to correct a fast heart rhythm, we implant a small electronic device that monitors your heartbeat and when necessary, delivers electrical pulses to restore a normal rhythm.
• Left atrial appendage closure: If you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), this minimally invasive procedure offers an alternative to blood thinners and helps prevent dangerous blood clots.
• Pacemaker: This small device generates electrical signals similar to your heart's own natural impulses to help you keep a steady rhythm.