If you have a heart arrhythmia, HealthPartners is here to provide the personalized treatment you need. Our award-winning heart arrhythmia doctors are known for clinical excellence, leading-edge research and compassionate care. From medications to advanced procedures, we provide arrhythmia care with heart.
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If you have a heart arrhythmia, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to manage it with medications. Your doctor will recommend the medications that are best for the arrhythmia you have and your treatment needs.
- Medicines for heart rates that are too fast – Medicines include beta blockers and calcium channel blockers to slow the heart’s electrical activity, and antiarrhythmics to help keep the rhythm steady. In certain situations, adenosine may be given to quickly reset the heart’s rhythm.
- Medicines for irregular heartbeats – Medicines include rate control drugs to keep your heart rate in a safe range, rhythm control drugs to help maintain a steady heartbeat, and blood thinners to reduce the chance of blood clots.
- Medicines for a heart rate that’s too slow – In certain cases, doctors use short-term medicines like atropine to safely increase your heart rate.
If medicines aren’t enough to manage your heart arrhythmia, advanced medical procedures can offer the next step forward. Following a personalized approach, we use targeted treatments to help restore a steady, healthy rhythm.
Our team prioritizes safety by using the lowest-radiation X-ray systems available, and we often perform procedures entirely without radiation thanks to advanced 3D mapping technology.
Catheter ablation (cardiac ablation) is a procedure that creates tiny scars in the heart to block faulty electrical signals and help restore a normal heartbeat. It is commonly used to treat arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AFib) and tachycardias.
There are different types of ablation, and the best option depends on the type of arrhythmia and where it starts. Your personalized plan may include:
- Radiofrequency ablation – This approach uses controlled heat to modify small areas of heart tissue with high precision. It has been used for many years and is effective for a wide range of arrhythmias.
- Pulsed‑field ablation – This method uses short electrical pulses that primarily affect heart muscle without affecting nearby structures. Because of this, it can be a good option for arrhythmias, such as AFib, that occur close to sensitive areas, like the esophagus or nerves.
Cardioversion is a medical procedure that uses either low‑energy electrical stimulation or medications to restore a normal heart rhythm. It is most commonly used when someone has significant symptoms from AFib, but it can also be used for atrial flutter and some types of tachycardia. There are two types of cardioversion that we may recommend for an arrhythmia:
- Electrical cardioversion – This method delivers controlled, low‑energy electrical shocks through electrodes placed on your chest (and sometimes your back). It can restore a normal rhythm right away, but how long the rhythm stays normal varies from person to person. We often pair electrical cardioversion with medications or other treatments to help maintain the rhythm over time.
- Pharmacologic cardioversion – This approach uses medications to convert an active arrhythmia back to a normal rhythm. It’s mostly used when a rapid or symptomatic arrhythmia needs to be corrected without using electrical shocks.
Innovations in heart rhythm care mean there are now smarter, safer devices to help manage arrhythmias. Our team is always at the leading-edge of technology and safety, so you get the best support for your heart.
Our team is known for excellent safety outcomes and personalized support throughout the pacemaker process. A pacemaker is a small, implanted device that helps prevent the heart from beating too slowly. It’s commonly used for conditions such as bradycardia, heart block or sick sinus syndrome.
Pacemakers are connected to your heart through tiny wires (leads). Electrical impulses flow through these wires to your heart. There are different pacemaker options, including single‑lead pacemakers, dual‑lead pacemakers and biventricular pacemakers. We’ll recommend the best option for you.
An ICD is a small, implanted device that constantly checks to see if your heartbeat is irregular or too fast. If it is, the ICD uses electric stimulation to restore a regular heartbeat.
ICDs are used for dangerously fast heartbeats (like ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation). We may also recommend an ICD if you have a weak heart muscle or other condition that puts you at increased risk of a dangerous irregular heartbeat. Your care plan may include:
- A standard ICD – This device is implanted in the chest and connected to your heart with thin wires (leads) that are guided through your veins.
- A subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) –This type of ICD is implanted just under the skin. Instead of leads that travel through the veins into the heart, it uses a single lead that runs just under the skin along the chest.
People with arrhythmias can have a higher risk of stroke. Watchman is a one-time implant for people with nonvalvular AFib that can reduce stroke risk in patients who cannot take lifelong blood thinners.
At HealthPartners, we can perform this procedure alongside catheter ablation using intracardiac echocardiography. We also use advanced imaging to carefully plan each procedure, helping us achieve a near-zero failure rate for Watchman implants.
“It's not always easy navigating complex medical issues, and having a physician who is prepared, thoughtful, and genuinely listening makes a huge difference. I left the appointment feeling heard, respected, and confident in her care. Most importantly, I have a plan to be able to get back to an active life.”
Beyond medical treatments for heart arrhythmia, there are other things you can do to help manage an arrhythmia and related symptoms. Our doctors will work with you to identify changes that can help you manage symptoms or make your treatment plan more effective. These may include:
- Using vagal maneuvers – These are simple actions that activate the vagus nerve, a major nerve that connects the brain to the heart. When you activate the vagus nerve, it can bring a fast or irregular heartbeat back to a normal rhythm. Examples of vagal maneuvers include coughing, applying an ice pack to your face, or bearing down as if having a bowel movement.
- Treating underlying conditions – High blood pressure and high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease and worsen arrhythmias. We can help you manage these conditions with lifestyle changes and medications.
- Managing stress and anxiety – Your emotions can trigger or worsen arrhythmias. Consider strategies like regular exercise, mindfulness or relaxation techniques, connecting with others or speaking with a therapist.
- Eating a heart-healthy diet – Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. Limiting sodium, added sugars and processed foods can support heart health and reduce symptoms.
- Getting regular exercise – Physical activity helps strengthen your heart and improve overall cardiovascular health. Your care team can recommend safe types and levels of exercise based on your condition.
- Quitting smoking – Smoking can damage your heart and blood vessels, and increase the risk of arrhythmias. Quitting can significantly improve your heart health.
- Reducing alcohol – Alcohol can trigger irregular heart rhythms in some people. Limiting or avoiding alcohol may help reduce episodes.
- Improving sleep habits – Poor sleep can increase your risk of arrhythmias and other health problems. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night and talk to your doctor if you have trouble sleeping.
Arrhythmia treatment is an important part of your overall heart care. Because heart rhythm problems often happen alongside other conditions, your care may involve more than one type of specialist.
Instead of treating each issue separately, your care team works together to look at your whole heart health. This means your arrhythmia treatment is coordinated with any other care you may need, such as medications, procedures or supportive therapies.
By taking this team-based approach, we can make your care more effective and easier to manage, helping you feel better, avoid unnecessary tests and reduce the risk of future heart problems.
From personalized treatment plans to research on advanced cardiac devices and the latest blood thinners, our focus is always on making arrhythmia care safer and more effective for you.
And with video visits and e-visits as options for follow-up care, it’s never been easier to stay connected to your care team. As always, you’ll receive coordinated care for all your health needs, whether that’s additional heart care or support for other conditions. So, you can always feel confident in every step of your treatment journey.
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To diagnose arrhythmias, doctors record the heart’s electrical activity using tests and devices, such as:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – An ECG is the most common test used to diagnose arrhythmias. It measures the electrical activity of your heart while you’re in the clinic or hospital. It shows whether your heart is beating too fast, too slow or irregularly. Most ECGs use a recorder, display screen and wires connected to small electrodes placed on your chest and extremities.
- Continuous ECG monitor – If an in‑clinic ECG doesn’t capture an arrhythmia, your doctor may have you wear a portable ECG monitor for one or more days to record your heartbeat continuously and increase the chance of detecting irregular rhythms.
- Implantable loop recorders – This is a small, long‑term heart monitor placed just under the skin. It continuously tracks your heart’s rhythm and helps doctors detect hidden arrhythmias, especially when symptoms are rare or unexplained. These devices are often used after a stroke or a fainting episode (syncope) to determine whether an undiagnosed arrhythmia may have contributed and if treatment can help prevent future events.
Additional tests such as stress tests, echocardiograms, blood work or X-rays may also be used to identify underlying causes and better understand the rhythm problem.
We treat all types of heart arrhythmias, including:
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) – AFib is the most common type of arrhythmia. It causes the heart to beat very rapidly. When this happens, the upper and lower chambers aren’t able to work together effectively to pump enough blood for your lungs and body.
- Atrial flutter – Damaged or scarred tissue can block the heart’s normal electrical signals, causing the upper chamber of your heart to beat very quickly and often at a different rate than the lower chambers of the heart.
- Bradycardia – A resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute is considered bradycardia. If a heartbeat gets too slow, it can cause fainting or difficulty breathing. But a low heart rate can also be normal, and even healthy for people who are young or physically fit.
- Premature heartbeat – When the heart contracts earlier than it should, it can cause a pause followed by a stronger beat that may feel like a skipped heartbeat.
- Supraventricular tachycardia – A group of fast heart rhythms that begin in the heart’s upper chambers. These rhythms are typically regular and can start suddenly, causing the heart to beat much faster than normal.
- Ventricular fibrillation (VFib) –This happens when the lower chambers of the heart quiver instead of pump, which can cause a severe drop in blood pressure and sudden fainting. VFib is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death.
- Ventricular tachycardia –This is a fast, regular beating in the ventricles. Very brief episodes may not cause problems but ventricular tachycardia that doesn’t go away can lead to more serious arrhythmias.
At HealthPartners, you always have a team of experts, helping you care for your heart and overall health. Depending on your needs and treatment plan, you may work with:
- General cardiologist – Cardiologists are experts in caring for the heart and are usually the first stop if you’re experiencing any signs of heart disease. If you have mild arrhythmia, a cardiologist may be able to help you manage your symptoms with medications, lifestyle guidance and supportive therapies.
- Electrophysiologist – An electrophysiologist is a cardiologist with extra training in the heart’s electrical system. These doctors focus almost entirely on the heart’s rhythm. Electrophysiologists diagnose and treat complex arrhythmias, and perform specialized procedures to help correct or manage irregular heart rates.
- Cardiac rehabilitation specialists – If you’re recovering from a heart event or procedure, cardiac rehabilitation may be part of your care plan. Rehab teams often include registered nurses, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists and your primary care doctor. They help you safely rebuild strength, confidence and heart‑healthy habits.
- Interventional cardiologists – If your arrhythmia is related to blocked arteries or structural heart issues, your care team may include an interventional cardiologist. They perform procedures such as angiograms, stent placement and structural heart interventions.
- Nurse practitioners and physician assistants – Advanced practice providers often support your cardiologist by helping manage medications, reviewing test results, and providing ongoing education and follow‑up care.
Yes, many of our patients are able to participate in clinical trials if they meet the requirements. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more.
We accept most health insurance plans, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cigna, HealthPartners, Medica and many others. To learn how your plan covers the services you need, call the number on the back of your insurance card. Here are member services numbers to help you get started:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota: 800-382-2000
- Cigna: 800-244-6224
- HealthPartners: 800-883-2177
- Medica: 800-952-3455
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
- UnitedHealthcare: 877-842-3210