An estimated one in four US adults over age 40 will develop arrhythmia, or an abnormal heartbeat. One way to treat arrhythmia is called cardiac ablation, a procedure available at the office of board-certified cardiologist Payam R. Yashar, MD, in the Beverly Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. To find out if you’re a candidate for cardiac ablation, book a consultation with Dr. Yashar by phone or online today.
Cardiac ablation is a surgical procedure to treat arrhythmia. During the procedure, Dr. Yashar feeds a catheter through a vein on your neck, groin area, or forearm. Electrodes on the tips of the catheters can read your heart’s rhythm and can deliver electrical impulses to your heart. Dr. Yashar uses imaging and other tests in an electrophysiology (EP) study to find the abnormal tissue in your heart, causing your arrhythmia.
Once he finds the abnormal heart muscle tissue, Dr. Yashar delivers energy through the electrodes to the tissue to damage or scar it. In order to do this, he might use:
After your procedure, your heart’s rhythm may improve right away. In some cases, multiple cardiac ablation procedures are necessary for the best possible results.
Before you undergo cardiac ablation, Dr. Yashar may perform several tests to evaluate your arrhythmia and find the cause. Once he has a plan for your treatment, he gives you instructions to follow leading up to your procedure. To prepare for cardiac ablation, he may ask that you:
If you have any questions about what to expect during your procedure, Dr. Yashar can answer them for you during your consultation. He also tells you your options for sedatives or anesthesia before the procedure and how you can prepare for them accordingly.
The health of your heart after cardiac ablation depends on a healthy lifestyle. Making healthy lifestyle changes can help reduce your blood pressure and prevent other complications that can worsen your arrhythmia. To get the most out of your cardiac ablation, Dr. Yashar may advise you to:
Dr. Yashar may also help you book follow-up in-person or telehealth appointments after your cardiac ablation procedure to continue monitoring your condition. He helps you plan a second procedure or any further treatments for your arrhythmia if you need them.
For more information about cardiac ablation and what to expect, book a consultation by phone or online at Payam R. Yashar, MD today.