Care for the Rhythm of Life
Heart rhythm disorders come on suddenly — and need to be treated just as quickly. But when you’re struggling to manage a new condition, you can lean on our team at AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute.
Specializing in caring for heart rhythm disorders, including arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation (AFib), we’ll treat your heart condition using some of the most advanced technology available.
Take comfort in knowing your heart is our number-one focus. We’ll be with you at every step on the road to improved heart health.
We’re here to help you find the right physician or a location that’s convenient for you.
Leading the Way in Patient-Centered Care
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Innovative Research and Technology
We perform complex surgeries without radiation, using advanced procedures like ablation therapy with 3D mapping.
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Pioneering Minimally Invasive Surgeries
You’ll experience less scarring and lowered risk of medical complications with technology like the Medtronic Micra™ Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS), a tiny leadless pacemaker that’s less invasive than traditional implants.
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National Leader in Cardiovascular Care
Your heart is in great hands here. Our locations have received national recognition for excellence in cardiac care and coronary intervention.
We Can Help You Face AFib With Confidence
According to the American Heart Association, AFib is the single most common abnormal heart rhythm in the United States, affecting an estimated 2.7 million Americans — and it’s the underlying cause in about 15% of all strokes. But this serious condition is treatable, especially when diagnosed early.
- What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
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AFib usually affects people between the ages of 30 and 60 and happens when the heart’s upper chambers receive abnormal electrical signals. The heart’s entire rhythm suffers, beating too fast and irregularly.
For adults, a normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute, but during AFib, it could be up to 175 beats per minute.
And because blood is not being carried through the heart valves correctly, it can collect and form clots in the heart, which could travel to the brain, blocking blood flow and causing a stroke.
- What Causes Atrial Fibrillation?
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For most people, AFib is tied to heart disease or a heart abnormality. But when there’s no underlying heart disease, the root cause can sometimes be unknown.
- The Three Types of Atrial Fibrillation
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Occasional AFib: Begins suddenly and stops on its own, usually in less than 24 hours, or no more than a week.
Persistent AFib: Continues for more than a week. It may stop on its own, or it may need treatment.
Permanent AFib: Normal heart rhythm can’t be restored with treatment.
- Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation
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Symptoms of AFib can be different for everyone. Some people have no symptoms and their AFib is only discovered during a routine exam. Others may feel some of the following symptoms:
- A skipped or racing heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or weakness
- Shortness of breath
Innovations That Deliver Complete Care
The sooner you identify a heart rhythm disorder, the better your outcome may be. If you have any of the warning signs of AFib, it’s very important to make an appointment with your doctor to review your medical and family history. They’ll also perform a physical exam and an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to test for AFib or another type of arrhythmia. From there, they’ll determine your best course of treatment.
- Ablation Procedures
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Medical therapy isn’t always effective for every patient with AFib. In this case, your doctor may recommend cardiac ablation. This non-surgical, wire-based procedure uses energy to eliminate the tissue that’s triggering your AFib.
An ablation procedure uses radiofrequency or a laser to destroy the abnormal cells so your heart will beat normally. There are several types of ablation techniques, including a new technology called stereotaxis robotic ablation therapy, which is less invasive and uses softer, gentler catheters to resolve your AFib.
- Maze Procedures
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Designed to disrupt the erratic impulse triggers and circuits that cause AFib, Maze procedures create carefully placed scar tissue lesions within the atria to stop faulty electrical impulses from traveling.This creates only one path the electrical impulse can take, which prevents the atrium from fibrillating. The variations of the Maze procedure range from most to least invasive: the Cox-Maze procedure, Modified-Maze procedure and Mini-Maze procedure.
- Medications
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If you’re dealing with a mild case of atrial fibrillation, or if surgery or other treatments are not an option, your doctor may recommend medications including:
- Anti-arrhythmic medications to maintain normal heart rhythm
- Anticoagulants to thin the blood and prevent blood clots
- Beta-blockers to slow the heart rate
- Calcium channel blockers to slow the heart rate
- Digoxin to slow the heart rate
If medication therapy is recommended for you, we’ll create a treatment plan tailored to you. Our specialists will help you understand your medication and any potential side effects.
Electrophysiologists Who Will Find the Answers
We know how frustrating irregular heart rhythms can be. Our experienced electrophysiologists will work to evaluate your symptoms and their causes, giving you answers and crafting a treatment plan that helps your heart beat strong again.
Access Advanced Technology for Your Heart
- Stereotaxis Niobe® Robotic Magnetic Navigation System*
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)*
- WATCHMAN FLX™
- Micra™ Pacemaker
- Philips Azurion Image-Guided Therapy*
Stereotaxis is the global leader in innovative robotic technologies designed to enhance the treatment of arrhythmias and perform endovascular procedures.
The Stereotaxis Niobe® Robotic Magnetic Navigation System consists of two robotically controlled magnets next to the operating table. During a procedure, your physician uses an intuitive computer interface to adjust the magnetic field around you. This allows them to precisely direct and steer a catheter that has a magnet embedded in its tip.
*This specialty care is currently available in Florida only (Orlando, Daytona Beach, Tampa Bay).
For people who have severe aortic stenosis (a narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve) and may not be candidates for open-heart surgery, groundbreaking procedures like TAVR offer a safer alternative.
AdventHealth surgeons and invasive cardiologists were some of the first in Florida to perform this less-invasive option, which is done through a small incision in the leg.
With advanced procedures like TAVR, we’re elevating our heart care and improving clinical outcomes that mean fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries for our patients.
*This specialty care is currently available in Florida only (Orlando, Daytona Beach, Tampa Bay).
The WATCHMAN FLX is a small device that’s implanted inside the left atrial appendage (small pouch in the top left heart chamber), closing off a part of the heart where blood clots most commonly form.
Implanting the FLX is a minimally invasive, one-time procedure that helps prevent blood clots, lowering your risk for stroke. The procedure is completed within an hour and patients commonly stay in the hospital overnight and leave the next day.
If you’re experiencing an irregular heartbeat and can’t tolerate blood thinners, the FLX could help.
About the size of a vitamin capsule, Micra is the world’s smallest pacemaker, designed for patients with a slow heart rate. Unlike most pacemakers, Micra is leadless and implanted directly into the heart — all in one minimally invasive procedure with no chest incision needed.
Because Micra is self-contained within the heart, it eliminates possible medical complications arising from a chest incision and from the wires with conventional pacemakers. By using Micra, we’re able to help our patients get back to their regular activities without restrictions.
In the operating room, advanced technologies mean smarter, safer and more efficient procedures. The Azurion image-guided therapy platform from Philips is one next-generation technology we use in cardiovascular procedures.
This system gives our cardiologists superior imagery and surgical precision. It can also put the controls at your bedside, so your doctor doesn't need to step away to review your measurements. With smarter systems like Azurion, our heart experts are better able to treat complex cardiovascular issues to help you heal.
*This specialty care is currently available in Florida only (Orlando, Daytona Beach, Tampa Bay).
Support Groups and Rehab Programs With Heart
After a heart procedure, you can use support as you adjust to treatment and recovery. From connecting you with others through our cardiac support groups to helping you through our rehab programs, we’re here for you at every step.
Find Heart Rhythm Disorder Care Near You
Our goal is to safeguard your heart health and help you live a long, healthy life — in body, mind and spirit. Together, we put our hearts and minds to work providing you with whole-person care that’s backed by expertise, dedication and compassion. Explore your options for treatment close to home at our locations.