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Cardiolucent

Condition

Arrhythmias

Comprehensive evaluation of bradycardia, tachycardia, PVCs, and SVT with in-office diagnostics.

Arrhythmias are abnormalities of heart rhythm or rate. They span a wide spectrum: bradycardia (heart rates that are too slow), tachycardia (rates that are too fast), premature ventricular or atrial contractions (PVCs and PACs, the 'extra beats' many people feel as palpitations), and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a sudden rapid rhythm originating above the ventricles. Some arrhythmias are entirely benign and need only reassurance, while others reflect underlying heart disease or carry meaningful risk of stroke, fainting, or sudden death. Distinguishing the dangerous from the benign requires both rhythm capture and structural heart assessment. Dr. Kedan combines in-office EKG, extended ambulatory monitoring and POCUS with scheduled in-office echocardiography and stress testing to define what's happening and what it means.

What Cardiolucent Evaluates

  • Detailed symptom history including triggers, duration, and associated symptoms
  • 12-lead EKG and POCUS at the visit
  • Wearable cardiac monitoring and coordination for implantable loop recorder assessment.
  • Echocardiography to assess for structural heart disease
  • Laboratory workup including thyroid function and electrolytes
  • Trigger review including caffeine, alcohol, stimulants, sleep, and others
  • Expedited coordination with electrophysiology primarily at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for ablation, device therapy, or other advanced diagnostics and therapeutics.

Common Symptoms

  • Palpitations — awareness of skipped, fluttering, or pounding beats
  • Lightheadedness or fainting (syncope)
  • Shortness of breath or reduced exercise tolerance
  • Chest discomfort or pressure during episodes
  • Fatigue, particularly with slow heart rates
  • Symptoms that come and go suddenly (suggesting SVT)
  • Many arrhythmias, especially PVCs, can be entirely asymptomatic

Risk Factors

  • Structural heart disease, including prior heart attack, cardiomyopathy, or valve disease
  • Hypertension and heart failure
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Electrolyte abnormalities
  • Sleep apnea
  • Excess caffeine, alcohol, or stimulant use
  • Family history of arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death
  • Age and autonomic changes

How Cardiolucent Approaches Treatment

Treatment is rhythm-specific. Benign PVCs and PACs in a structurally normal heart often need only trigger management and reassurance. Symptomatic SVT can be controlled with vagal maneuvers, medications, or curative catheter ablation. Bradycardia from sinus node or conduction disease may require a pacemaker. Ventricular arrhythmias in the setting of structural disease may warrant an implantable defibrillator. Dr. Kedan personally interprets the rhythm data and coordinates with electrophysiology at Cedars-Sinai for ablation or device therapy when needed.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What are arrhythmias?
Arrhythmias are abnormalities in the heart's rhythm or rate, including slow rhythms (bradycardia), fast rhythms (tachycardia), extra beats (PVCs and PACs), and reentrant tachycardias (SVT). They range from harmless variants to potentially dangerous patterns.
What do palpitations actually mean?
Palpitations are the subjective awareness of your heartbeat — described as fluttering, pounding, skipping, or racing. They can result from extra beats, fast rhythms, anxiety, or simply increased awareness of a normal heart. Documenting the rhythm during symptoms is what distinguishes benign causes from those that need treatment.
How is the rhythm captured?
A 12-lead EKG documents the rhythm at that moment. For intermittent symptoms, a Holter monitor (24–48 hours), a 14-day event monitor, or an implantable loop recorder for very infrequent episodes can capture the rhythm during a symptomatic event.
Are PVCs dangerous?
In a structurally normal heart, occasional PVCs are common and generally benign. Very frequent PVCs — particularly thousands per day — can sometimes weaken the heart muscle over time and warrant evaluation. PVCs in the setting of structural disease deserve more careful assessment.
What is SVT, and is it serious?
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a sudden, rapid heart rhythm originating above the ventricles. Episodes typically start and stop abruptly and can last minutes to hours, often with palpitations and lightheadedness. SVT is usually not life-threatening but can be disruptive, and catheter ablation is curative in most cases.
When does a slow heart rate need a pacemaker?
Slow heart rates that cause symptoms — fatigue, lightheadedness, fainting, or exercise intolerance — and that result from sinus node dysfunction or AV conduction disease are the main indications for a pacemaker. Slow rates that are asymptomatic, particularly in fit individuals or during sleep, usually do not require intervention.
How are arrhythmias treated?
Treatment depends on the rhythm. Options range from trigger management and reassurance to medications (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmics), catheter ablation, pacemakers, and implantable defibrillators. The choice is tailored to the diagnosis, symptoms, and underlying heart disease.
Can lifestyle help with arrhythmias?
Yes. Reducing caffeine, alcohol, and stimulants; treating sleep apnea; optimizing thyroid and electrolyte status; managing weight; and addressing stress can substantially reduce symptomatic arrhythmias for many patients. These measures complement, not replace, evaluation and targeted treatment.
When should I worry about an arrhythmia?
Fainting, near-fainting, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or arrhythmia in the setting of known heart disease all warrant prompt evaluation. Sudden-onset, sustained rapid heart rates, especially with significant symptoms, should be evaluated in the emergency department.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call (310) 304-5555 or use the contact form to schedule with Dr. Kedan at the Beverly Hills office. Cardiolucent does not bill Medicare or insurance; a detailed superbill is provided for any out-of-network reimbursement.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.