About this topic
Your heart has an electrical system that controls each heartbeat. It sends out electric signals to tell the heart to beat and contract in a normal pattern. Most often, the signals start at the top of the heart and move to the bottom in a coordinated way. This signals your heart to squeeze and pump blood to the rest of your body. The electric signal repeats with each heartbeat. Sometimes the electric signals do not flow normally through your heart. Then you may have serious health problems, like: ‚
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heartbeat is too fast or too slow
- Blood clots
- Decreased blood flow
- Stroke
- Weakened heart
An electrophysiology study is a kind of test. It checks the electrical activity of the heart. It is more detailed than an ECG. It will help your doctor learn what is causing the abnormal flow of electrical signals. Then, your doctor can decide what the best treatment is for you. ‚
View OriginalView Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Do not rub the area where the catheter was put in.
- Take short walks around your house. Rest when you are feeling tired.
- Drink lots of water to flush the dye out of your body. Wash your hands after using the toilet.
- Avoid straining from bowel movements. Eat a lot of fiber-rich foods like fruits, whole grains, and vegetables.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Talk to your doctor about when the results will be available. The results will help your doctor understand what kind of problem you have with your heart. Together you can make a plan for more care.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Ask your doctor if you need to change your diet. You may be told to eat a heart healthy diet that is low in salt. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly. Ask your doctor what exercise is safe for you. Be sure to ask your doctor before you do any exercise.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Help control your heartbeat
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity for a short period of time. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Irregular heartbeat
- Blood clots
- Stroke or heart attack
- Nerve injury
- Buildup of air in the spaces of the lung and of the chest
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher and chills.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Dizziness, fainting, or you feel very tired; very slow or quick pulse rate; problem taking your drugs for the heart
- Arm or leg where the catheter was put in changes color, is cool to touch, or is numb
- Bleeding at the catheter site that does not stop, even with pressure
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.
- I can tell you what I will do if I feel dizzy, faint, or very tired.
Where can I learn more?
American Heart Association ‚
http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300439.pdf ‚
British Heart Foundation ‚
http://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/tests/electrophysiology-tests.aspx ‚
Canadian Heart Rhythm Society ‚
http://www.chrsonline.ca/index.php/heart-rhythm-health-resources/electrophysiology-study-eps-and-catheter-ablation ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚