AFib and Arrhythmia Care

If you have an arrhythmia, turn to Spectrum Health for specialized care. You’ll find guidance and advanced treatments that help you manage your health so you can live a normal, active life.

An arrhythmia is a problem with your heart rhythm. If you have an arrhythmia, your heart may beat too fast, too slow or irregularly.

At Spectrum Health, you’ll find exceptional care for all types of arrhythmia, including:

• Atrial fibrillation – The heart’s upper chambers beat irregularly
• Atrial flutter – The heart’s upper chambers beat too quickly
• Atrioventricular (AV) block – The electrical signal that controls your heartbeat is interrupted
• Bradycardia – The heart beats too slow
• Ectopic heartbeat – Skipped or extra heartbeats
• Ventricular fibrillation – The heart’s lower chambers beat irregularly
• Ventricular tachycardia – The heart’s lower chambers beat too quickly

Trust your heart to Michigan’s leading provider of arrhythmia care. Spectrum Health:

• Cares for more people with heart rhythm disorders than anyone else in the state
• Has West Michigan’s only program dedicated to AFib care
• Includes a team of physicians and advanced practice providers with special training in electrophysiology—the study of the electrical system that controls your heart’s rhythm
• Performs more than 2,700 electrophysiology procedures each year

Get arrhythmia care that fits your symptoms, needs, values and goals. Your Spectrum Health team will help you understand your condition and treatment options—including new procedures, medications and technologies you may benefit from—so you can make informed decisions.

Benefit from our comprehensive approach to managing AFib and arrhythmia.

Your care plan may include medications or procedures to control your heart rate. Depending on your needs, your doctor may recommend: 

• Antiarrhythmic medications – Help control heart rate
• Cardioversion - A noninvasive procedure to return an abnormal heartbeat to a normal rhythm
• Cardiac ablation – Eliminates cells that cause irregular heartbeats 
• Cardiac implantable electronic devices, such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators – Help monitor and control irregular heartbeats

Some arrhythmias, including Afib, may increase your risk of developing blood clots that could lead to stroke. Your doctor will help you understand your stroke risk and the best prevention measures for you, such as: 

• Anticoagulant medications – Prevent blood clots 
• Left atrial appendage occlusion device – Reduces your risk of blood clots and stroke if you have certain types of Afib

Your care team will teach you actions you can take to help prevent arrhythmia episodes and live a heart-healthy lifestyle. For example: 

• Avoid certain over-the-counter medications 
• Don’t smoke 
• Limit caffeine and alcohol 
• Maintain a healthy weight 
• Manage stress 
• Participate in our metabolic wellness program 
• Treat sleep problems, such as sleep apnea