Heartbeat Irregularities (Arrhythmias)

At Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in the San Francisco East Bay area, we diagnose and treat complex cardiac heartbeat irregularities, including:

• Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
• Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
• Ventricular Arrhythmia
• Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
• Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)

The diagnosis and treatment of heartbeat irregularities is known as cardiac electrophysiology. We use advanced 3D mapping systems to diagnose cardiac arrhythmias, and we treat them by using advanced medications, performing cardiac ablation and, sometimes, by inserting pacemakers or defibrillators. To learn more about this field, listen to our audio information:

Audio: Abnormal Heart Rhythm & Electrophysiology (1:00 min.)
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Electrophysiologist, Paul Ludmer, M.D., FACC, describes how cardiac electrophysiology can predict if you are at risk for an abnormal heart rhythm and therefore sudden cardiac death, and how advances in electrophysiology are helping those with pacemakers.

HTML Transcript: Abnormal Heart Rhythm & Electrophysiology
Text Transcript: Abnormal Heart Rhythm & Electrophysiology

Use our online Find a Doctor tool can help you find a heart specialist in the San Francisco East Bay area who can determine the best diagnostic and treatment options for your unique needs.

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Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

More than two million Americans suffer from atrial fibrillation (AF), a rapid, irregular heart rhythm caused by abnormal electrical signals from the atria (upper chambers of the heart).

While a normal heart beats around 60-100 times per minute, a heart with AF beats more rapidly and irregularly. This rapid heartbeat begins in the atria and upsets the normal rhythm between the atria and lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). Consequently, the lower chambers may also beat fast and without a regular rhythm.

As a result, the heart doesn't pump blood efficiently, making it unable to deliver blood and oxygen to other parts of the body.

Although not life threatening, atrial fibrillation can lead to a stroke or heart muscle damage. If you have AF, you are five times more likely than the general population to have a stroke.

At Alta Bates Summit, we are helping AF patients live healthy lives through advanced medical therapy, cardiac electrophysiology, ablation as well as the Maze Procedure, which stops the irregular heartbeat caused by AF and restores proper heart rhythm.

Audio: Atrial Fibrillation (1:00 min.)
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Cardiac electrophysiologist Steven Kang, M.D., FACC, defines atrial fibrillation and discusses what we can do to stay healthy and avoid it.
HTML Transcript: Atrial Fibrillation
Text Transcript: Atrial Fibrillation

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Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a fast, regular heart rhythm that comes from the atria (upper chambers of the heart) and begins and ends suddenly.

Although not life-threatening, SVT causes uncomfortable palpitations, dizziness and feelings of anxiety.

At Alta Bates Summit, we have the latest means of SVT diagnostics: state-of-the-art mapping systems that enable our doctors to locate and treat an SVT or other arrhythmia.

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Ventricular Arrhythmia

A ventricular arrhythmia is a fast heartbeat or rhythm in the lower chambers of the heart.

There are two types of ventricular arrhythmias:

• Ventricular tachycardia (VT), a fast and regular heartbeat


• Ventricular fibrillation (VF), a fast and irregular heartbeat

Both VT and VF can be life-threatening because they prevent the heart from pumping enough blood and oxygen to the brain and other parts of the body.

Ventricular arrhythmias can be caused by heart failure, heart valve problems or impaired blood flow to the heart (i.e., coronary artery disease resulting in a heart attack or ischemia).

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Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)

Ventricular tachycardia is a fast, regular heartbeat that starts in the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). If left untreated, it can get worse, leading to a life-threatening condition called ventricular fibrillation (VF).

Ventricular fibrillation causes the heart to beat so fast and irregularly that it stops pumping blood. VF is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death.

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Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)

Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) is a rapid, irregular heart rhythm caused by abnormal electrical signals from the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart).

Most sudden cardiac death patients suffer from ventricular fibrillation (VF).
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About the Cardiovascular Center of Excellence

At Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, our heart specialists deliver compassionate patient care using leading-edge procedures, to patients living throughout the San Francisco East Bay area. While our cardiac services are located in Berkeley and Oakland, patients come to our heart center from Hayward, Pleasanton, Lafayette, and other East Bay communities as well as from greater California and the United States to seek the best cardiac hospital care available. Our experienced team of top heart and cardiovascular specialists strive to work with each patient to identify the best treatment options for heart and vascular conditions. Whether you need a top heart surgeon (or specialist), a cardiac specialist, a vascular or thoracic surgeon, or one of our best-in-class cardiothoracic specialists - our doctors, nurses and technologists will work with you to strive for the best cardiovascular care for your unique needs. We strive to be the best cardiac hospital not just in the San Francisco East Bay but for every patient who enters our heart center, whether they come from Oakland, Berkeley, or beyond the Bay Area.
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