Latest news with #arrhythmia
Globe and Mail
08-07-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Emerald Coast Heart & AFib Brings Specialized Cardiac Rhythm Care to Fort Walton Beach Under the Leadership of Dr. Ian Weisberg
Crestview, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - July 8, 2025) - Board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Ian Weisberg has announced the expansion of Emerald Coast Heart & AFib, a groundbreaking medical practice focused exclusively on diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders. Originally established in Crestview, Florida, the center is now extending its reach to Fort Walton Beach, offering more patients in Northwest Florida access to highly specialized arrhythmia care. Dr. Ian Weisberg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Dr. Ian Weisberg, a distinguished physician with over ten years of experience in cardiac electrophysiology, has earned national recognition for his contributions to arrhythmia management and procedural excellence. A graduate of the University of Chicago's renowned medical program, he performs more than 300 atrial fibrillation ablations annually and is known for his innovative leadership in developing state-of-the-art heart rhythm programs across the region. "Far too often, arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation are misinterpreted or overlooked, which can lead to increased risk of stroke, heart failure and worsened quality of life" said Dr. Ian Weisberg. "At Emerald Coast Heart & AFib, we're focused on delivering prompt, expert, and compassionate care that is tailored to each individual's needs-right here in their own community." The Crestview clinic has rapidly earned a reputation for clinical excellence and compassionate, personalized care. Now, with its expansion into Fort Walton Beach, the practice aims to serve a broader population spanning from Milton to Navarre. The new location will continue offering a full suite of advanced treatments for cardiac rhythm disorders, ensuring convenient access to specialized care that was previously limited in the area. Key services provided by Emerald Coast Heart & AFib include: Personalized treatment plans for atrial fibrillation Catheter ablation and electrical cardioversion Pacemaker and defibrillator (ICD) implantation Left atrial appendage occlusion using the Watchman™ device Remote cardiac monitoring and loop recorder implantation Stroke prevention strategies and heart-healthy lifestyle education Each patient at the practice benefits from a deeply individualized approach, blending high-tech care with a strong emphasis on education and empowerment. Dr. Ian Weisberg and his team prioritize patient understanding, ensuring that individuals are fully informed about their diagnoses and the available treatment paths. As part of his commitment to community outreach and patient education, Dr. Weisberg also founded a digital resource offering clear, evidence-based information about atrial fibrillation and related heart rhythm disorders. The platform serves as an extension of the clinic's philosophy: to educate and support patients beyond the walls of the medical office. "Our vision is to make world-class electrophysiology services accessible right here on the Emerald Coast," said Dr. Ian Weisberg. "Patients shouldn't have to leave their community to receive the level of care that these conditions demand. We're here to fill that gap with expertise, empathy, and innovation." Clinic Locations: Crestview Office 550 W Redstone Ave, Suite 430 Crestview, FL 32536 Milton Office 5992 Berryhill Rd, Suite 301 Milton, FL 32570 Fort Walton Beach Office (Opening Soon) For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit: To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Health Line
08-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
A Guide to Drugs for Arrhythmia
Key takeaways Medications for arrhythmia include antiarrhythmic drugs that restore the heart's normal rhythm by affecting the heart's electrical current. Calcium channel blockers can help manage arrhythmia, angina, and high blood pressure by widening blood vessels and slowing the heart rate. Anticoagulants are prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke in people with arrhythmia, but they require monitoring for internal bleeding. Introduction An arrhythmia is a condition in which the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. In many cases, the arrhythmia may not be serious or require any treatment at all. However, if your doctor finds that the arrhythmia could lead to more serious heart problems, they may prescribe medication. Several types of medication can help control or resolve an arrhythmia. The type that's right for you depends on the kind of arrhythmia you have. Here's what to know about drugs that treat arrhythmia. Antiarrhythmic drugs Antiarrhythmic drugs may be prescribed if you have tachycardia (fast heart rate) or premature or extra heartbeats. These medications work to correct the rhythm of your heart. They restore a normal heart rhythm by changing the electrical current that makes your heart beat. Most antiarrhythmic drugs come in pill form and are typically used long-term. In emergencies, some can be given intravenously. The most common medications in this class are: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) flecainide (Tambocor) ibutilide (Corvert), which can only be given through IV lidocaine (Xylocaine), which can only be given through IV procainamide (Procan, Procanbid) propafenone (Rythmol) quinidine (many brand names) tocainide (Tonocarid) While these medications can help correct an arrhythmia, there's also a risk that they can cause the arrhythmia to occur again or more often. This is called a proarrhythmia. If you develop a proarrhythmia while taking an antiarrhythmic drug, call your doctor right away. Calcium channel blockers If you have angina (chest pain), high or low blood pressure, and an arrhythmia, your doctor may prescribe a calcium channel blocker. These drugs dilate your blood vessels. This allows more blood to flow to the heart, which helps ease chest pain and decrease blood pressure. These drugs can also slow your heart rate. A reduced heart rate and lowered blood pressure reduce the strain on your heart and reduce your risk of an arrhythmia. Most calcium channel blockers come in pill form, but some are also available in intravenous (IV) form. Calcium channel blockers are for long-term use. Examples of common calcium channel blockers include: amlodipine (Norvasc) diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac) felodipine isradipine nicardipine (Cardene SR) nifedipine (Procardia) nisoldipine (Sular) verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Covera-HS) The side effects of these medications vary. Some people have tachycardia, dizziness, constipation, and headaches. Other people more serious side effects include rash or swelling in the legs and feet. Beta blockers If you've been diagnosed with tachycardia, your doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers stop the action of the hormone adrenaline. This can relieve your tachycardia by slowing your heart rate. It can also lower your blood pressure and decrease the stress on your heart. Examples of beta blockers include: acebutolol (Sectral) atenolol (Tenormin) bisoprolol (Zebeta) metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL) nadolol (Corgard) propranolol (Inderal LA, InnoPran XL) The side effects of beta-blockers include tiredness, cold hands, and headache. Sometimes these medications affect your digestive system as well. Some people report stomach issues, constipation, or diarrhea. Anticoagulants An anticoagulant is a blood-thinning medication. Your doctor may prescribe an anticoagulant if your arrhythmia puts you at risk of clots or stroke caused by a clot. For some people, an abnormal heart rhythm changes how the blood flows through their system. For instance, atrial fibrillation may cause blood to pool in the heart, which may result in blood clots. Anticoagulants don't fix your heart rhythm problem. They only help reduce the risk of blood clots caused by certain arrhythmias. Warfarin (Coumadin) is one of the most common anticoagulants. However, non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are now recommended over warfarin unless you have moderate to severe mitral stenosis or an artificial heart valve. NOACs include: dabigatran (Pradaxa) rivaroxaban (Xarelto) apixaban (Eliquis) edoxaban (Savaysa) Anticoagulants are effective, but they can also make your body less able to stop bleeding. For this reason, you should watch for any signs of internal bleeding, such as bloody stool, multiple bruises, and vomit that looks like coffee grounds. Your doctor may prescribe aspirin instead of warfarin if they find that you have a lower risk of a blood clot. Aspirin is not as powerful of a blood thinner as warfarin is. However, it has a lower risk of causing bleeding.
Associated Press
20-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
IBN Coverage: HeartBeam (NASDAQ: BEAT) Earns FDA Clearance for First Cable-Free ECG System for Arrhythmia Detection
This article was published by IBN, a multifaceted communications organization engaged in connecting public companies to the investment community. LOS ANGELES, CA - June 20, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - HeartBeam (NASDAQ: BEAT) announced it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its flagship ECG system, a first-of-its-kind, credit card-sized, cable-free device designed to deliver high-fidelity, three-directional cardiac recordings for arrhythmia evaluation. The clearance marks a major regulatory milestone and accelerates HeartBeam's plans to improve access to timely, remote cardiac care. When symptoms arise, patients use the app-guided system to record a 30-second ECG, which is automatically uploaded to the cloud for physician review in the context of medical history. The company will soon launch an Early Access Program to engage early adopters and providers ahead of broader commercialization. This foundational clearance also sets the stage for future advancements, including 12-lead ECG synthesis, AI-based arrhythmia detection, and remote heart attack risk scoring. HeartBeam's long-term vision is to revolutionize cardiac care by enabling continuous, predictive insights outside traditional clinical settings. To view the full press release, visit About HeartBeam Inc. HeartBeam is a medical technology company dedicated to transforming cardiac care by providing powerful cardiac insights wherever the patient is. The company is creating the first-ever cable-free 12-lead ECG capable of capturing the heart's electrical signals from three dimensions. This platform technology is designed to be used in portable devices that can be used wherever the patient is to deliver actionable heart intelligence. Physicians will be able to identify cardiac health trends and acute conditions and direct patients to the appropriate care - all outside of a medical facility, thus redefining the future of cardiac health management. The company holds 13 U.S. and 4 international-issued patents related to technology enablement. For more information, visit NOTE TO INVESTORS: IBN is a multifaceted financial news, content creation and publishing company utilized by both public and private companies to optimize investor awareness and recognition. For more information, please visit Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: The latest news and updates relating to BEAT are available in the company's newsroom at Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this article are forward-looking, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and may not be indicative of future results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, various factors beyond management's control, including the risks set forth under the heading 'Risk Factors' discussed under the caption 'Item 1A. Risk Factors' in Part I of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption 'Item 1A. Risk Factors' in Part II of the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this article in making an investment decision, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. 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Health Line
16-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Heart Arrhythmia After COVID-19 Vaccine: A Very Rare Side Effect
Arrhythmia is not a known side effect of COVID-19 vaccines. But ongoing monitoring has shown rare instances of heart complications in people who have received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA vaccines. Arrhythmia affects the rate or rhythm at which the heart beats. Your heart might beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), too early (premature contraction), or erratically (fibrillation). Arrhythmia can also be a sign of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle. Myocarditis is a very rare side effect of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. You're more likely to experience arrhythmia or myocarditis caused by COVID-19 itself than from the COVID-19 vaccine. At least 2 out of every 10 people hospitalized with COVID-19 experience heart problems, including damage to their heart muscle and arrhythmia. This is what scientists mean when they say the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. Keep reading to learn more about heart arrhythmia and myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination. What the research says Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that higher than normal cases of heart inflammation have been reported in the United States after COVID-19 vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. These heart issues occurred mostly in males between ages 12 and 39 after they received the second dose of the vaccine, usually within a few days of receiving the vaccine. This side effect hasn't been observed in people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the Novavax protein subunit vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. These vaccines contain genetically engineered mRNA that teaches your cells how to create antibodies capable of fighting the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Traditional vaccines, like the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, contain genetic material from the virus, which also helps your body create antibodies. A 2021 analysis of CDC data found that people ages 12 to 39 who received their second COVID-19 mRNA vaccine had about a 13 in 1 million chance of experiencing heart inflammation. In other words, this side effect is exceedingly rare. Another 2021 study involved people ages 16 and up who were vaccinated against COVID-19. It also found slightly increased risks of heart inflammation after participants' first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the first 28 days after vaccination. This research included the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine as well as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. This risk of myocarditis did appear to be a bit higher after a second dose of the Moderna vaccine — not the other vaccines studied — and was only observed in people younger than 40. Vaccination for people with preexisting heart conditions Even though arrhythmias are sometimes associated with myocarditis, no direct association was found between arrhythmia and COVID-19 vaccination. The American Heart Association recommends that anyone with heart disease get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. This is because they're at a much greater risk of heart-related complications from the coronavirus than they are from any COVID-19 vaccine. However, if you or your child has experienced myocarditis after a vaccine before, discuss your options with your doctor before getting vaccinated. What are the symptoms of heart arrhythmia? Arrhythmia doesn't always cause symptoms — that's why you'll sometimes hear it called 'asymptomatic.' But possible symptoms can include: chest pain shortness of breath feeling like the heart is fluttering or pounding (palpitations) rapid heartbeat slow or irregular heartbeat A 2021 study suggests that most people suspected to have myocarditis after COVID-19 experienced chest pain about 2 or 3 days after the second dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Arrhythmia during COVID-19 Arrhythmias are more often seen after developing COVID-19 than after vaccination. In small studies conducted in Wuhan, China, during the initial outbreak of COVID-19, arrhythmias occurred at a rate of 16.7% of people hospitalized with COVID-19, with 44.4% of those who were hospitalized being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). A retrospective 2021 study of 3,970 COVID-19 admissions at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City found that atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (AF/AFL) happened in 10% of study participants. AF/AFL was also associated with a 46% higher risk of death — compared with 26% of study participants who had no arrhythmias. Viral infection is the most common cause of inflammation in the heart muscle in children. Children who develop myocarditis after COVID-19 also typically experience a more severe case than if it happens after a COVID-19 vaccination. Heart complications can occur even after you recover from COVID-19. Common vaccine side effects Heart problems are a very rare side effect of COVID-19 vaccines. More common side effects are mild and temporary, including: fever pain and soreness at injection site fatigue headache chills body aches These side effects occur as the vaccine triggers a response from your immune system. In other words, these side effects mean the vaccine is doing its job. Is the COVID-19 vaccine still effective? When first studied in earlier coronavirus variants, COVID-19 vaccines were shown to be roughly: 95% effective at preventing coronavirus infection 94% effective at preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths among fully vaccinated adults Yet viruses constantly change. Several new variants have emerged since the novel coronavirus first appeared. But even though the first COVID-19 vaccines aren't as effective at preventing infection by the Delta or Omicron variants, they offer significant protection against these variants by reducing your risk of: severe illness hospitalization death Research published in 2022 estimates that COVID-19 vaccines are still up to 90% effective at preventing severe outcomes of COVID-19, including the need for invasive mechanical ventilation or death. People who are fully vaccinated and received a third booster had the highest level of protection against severe disease and hospitalization. Newer boosters have since been developed. Who should get a COVID-19 vaccine? Under the new administration, the CDC recommends that most people ages 18 years and older get an annual COVID-19 vaccine, while those 6 months to 17 years old and pregnant people make a personal decision with their loved ones. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends vaccination for every child 6 months or older, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends vaccination for all pregnant people.
Medscape
10-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Young Adults Benefit More From Catheter Ablation for AF
Young patients (≤ 45 years) with atrial fibrillation (AF) were less likely to experience recurrences of arrhythmia at 12 months after undergoing their first catheter ablation for pulmonary vein isolation than older patients (> 45 years). METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing the efficacy of first-time catheter ablation between young and older adults with AF who underwent the procedure between 2016 and 2023. The analysis included 225 patients in the young group (mean age, 39 years; 76% men) who were propensity score matched with 225 patients in the older group (mean age, 58 years; 76% men). Ablations were performed using radiofrequency (54%), cryoablation (44%), or pulsed field ablation (2.7%); all antiarrhythmic drugs were discontinued before the procedure, and oral anticoagulants were continued for at least 2 months post-procedure. Arrhythmia recurrence, defined as any documented atrial tachyarrhythmia lasting more than 30 seconds, was captured using 24-hour Holter monitoring or additional electrocardiograms. TAKEAWAY: In a 12-month follow-up period, patients in the older group were more likely to experience arrhythmia recurrences than those in the young group (odds ratio [OR], 1.80; P = .01). = .01). Greater age was associated with increased AF recurrences at 12 months (adjusted OR, 1.02; P = .017). = .017). The type of ablation was not associated with the likelihood of arrythmia recurrence. Youden index analysis found 59 years as the statistically optimal cutoff to predict 12-month AF recurrences after ablation. IN PRACTICE: "Recognizing the potential influence of sampling variability and the uncertainty inherent to data‐driven estimations, a more clinically applicable age range of 55 to 60 years may be proposed by our results as an age range above which the risk of AF recurrence following CA [catheter ablation] increases," the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Ourania Kariki, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece. It was published online on June 03, 2025, in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology . LIMITATIONS: This study was conducted at a single centre, and data were retrieved retrospectively. Excluding unmatched patients through propensity score matching may have limited the generalisability of the findings. The use of 24-hour Holter monitoring for follow-up may have underestimated the recurrence of arrhythmia. DISCLOSURES: This study did not receive any specific funding. The authors declared having no conflicts of interest.
