The heart’s internal electrical system produces normal heart rhythm. Electrical impulses of the heart move through the heart’s muscles making these muscles contract in a uniform way to provide proper blood flow throughout the body.

Malfunctions may occur in the heart’s electrical system causing irregular electrical impulses, blocked pathways and rapid electrical impulses creating abnormal heart rhythms. These irregular electrical impulses interrupt proper blood flow.

There are times when people have irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) that can be controlled by lifelong medications or lifestyle changes. However, many people do not want to take medications permanently for the rest of their lives. At Bon Secours Heart & Vascular Institute, our patients have additional options for treating arrhythmias other than lifelong medications.

Catheter ablation often cures arrhythmias by interrupting the path of the abnormal electrical impulses. Bon Secours’ Board-certified cardiologists can treat cardiac arrhythmias as part of a catheter procedure known as catheter ablation.

During catheter ablation, a specialized catheter is inserted into a vein and guided to the problem area of the heart muscle. Restoring normal heart rhythm occurs when radiofrequency energy or freezing temperature is introduced into the problem area. These methodologies interrupt the path of the abnormal electrical impulses and, thus, decrease the chance of sudden cardiac death.