Arrhythmia treatment and diagnostics abroad

An arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate or rhythm: the heart beats too fast, too slowly or irregularly. Management depends on the type of arrhythmia, symptoms and risk; options may include monitoring, medicines, devices or selected procedures such as catheter ablation.

Below are cardiology clinics abroad: compare their capabilities, doctors and prices for diagnostics and treatment.

Types of arrhythmia

• Atrial fibrillation — the most common arrhythmia, which increases the risk of stroke;
• supraventricular tachycardias — episodes of a fast heartbeat;
• ventricular arrhythmias — range from premature beats to potentially life-threatening tachycardia or fibrillation; the type and symptoms determine urgency;
• bradycardias and heart blocks — a rhythm that is too slow, often requiring a pacemaker.

Symptoms

• palpitations, skipped beats or a fluttering feeling;
• breathlessness, weakness, tiredness;
• dizziness, near-fainting or fainting;
• chest pain or discomfort.

Fainting or chest pain with an arrhythmia needs emergency medical help.

Diagnosis

• ECG and 24-hour Holter monitoring;
• echocardiography — to assess the heart's structure;
• stress testing when an exercise-related rhythm problem is suspected; longer-term monitoring, sometimes with an implantable loop recorder, for selected infrequent episodes;
• electrophysiological study — pinpoints the source of the arrhythmia;
• blood tests — electrolytes, thyroid hormones.

Treatment abroad

• Medication — rate or rhythm control, anticoagulants to prevent stroke in atrial fibrillation.
• Electrical cardioversion — restores a normal rhythm.
• Catheter ablation (radiofrequency or cryoablation) — aims to interrupt abnormal electrical signals using catheters passed through blood vessels, without open surgery; success and recurrence depend on the arrhythmia.
• Pacemaker — for bradycardias and heart blocks.
• Implantable defibrillator — protection against dangerous ventricular arrhythmias.

See clinics in the cardiology section.

Send a request with your ECG and Holter results — Clinics Direct coordinators will obtain an electrophysiologist's opinion and treatment prices free of charge.