Heart problems are not something to be taken lightly, and you’ll likely have to modify your daily behavior to account for your new health issue. Fortunately, modern medicine has seen rapid advances in the field of cardiac surgery, and an experienced heart rhythm specialist can help to restore your quality of life.
Cardiac ablations save thousands of lives around the world every single day. If you’re suffering from a heart arrhythmia, you should prepare a list of questions to ask your heart specialist before your surgery. How did I develop a heart rhythm disorder? What is a cardiac ablation? What can I expect after my procedure? By informing yourself on the procedure, you’ll be much more prepared for whatever comes your way.
You cannot cure a heart rhythm disorder with the wave of a magic wand, but you can certainly do yourself a favor by finding a trusted cardiologist who specializes in this field. Here’s a quick overview of cardiac ablations, and how they can potentially save your life:
- Heart rhythm disorders. In a worst case scenario, your heart arrhythmia is a sign of heart disease, but it may also signify high blood pressure. Generally speaking, most heart problems are caused by a combination of genetics and poor habits. If you smoke or eat unhealthy foods on a regular basis, it may have contributed to your current condition. To prevent heart troubles, you should never consume more than 2,400 mg of sodium a day, and 1,500 mg per day is even better.
- Cardiac ablations. In the U.S. alone, someone experiences a heart attack every 34 seconds. Unfortunately, many of these heart attacks could have been avoided with early intervention by a cardiologist. One of the best ways to treat a heart arrhythmia is with a cardiac ablation. In this procedure, a long tube is threaded from your groin to your heart. Then, your cardiologist removes the tissue that causes the arrhythmia.
- Recovery and follow-up. After your procedure, you need to make sure that you aren’t doing anything to undo the progress you’ve made. Amongst other things, your doctor will instruct you to change your eating habits, exercise more, and avoid alcohol.
You don’t need to read a book on cardiac ablations before visiting a cardiologist, but you should obtain a basic understanding of the procedure and bring any questions you may have. Find a qualified heart specialist in your area and take this important step towards prolonged health.