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Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat) Center - Missoula, MT

Missoula Cardiologist Doctors for Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat)

Type of Physician: Cardiologist

What is a Cardiologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners are expert in diseases of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. They consult with surgeons on heart surgery, perform diagnostic procedures, and manage complex conditions such as heart attacks and arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat).

Specialty: Cardiology

Common Name: Heart Doctor

Cardiologist Doctors in Missoula *

Cardiopulmonary Associates
Philip A Roper
601 W Spruce St
STE A
Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 329-2945

The Montana Heart Center
George T Bandow
2809 Great Northern Loop
STE 200
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 541-7000

The Montana Heart Center
William L Hull
2809 Great Northern Loop
STE 200
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 541-7000

The Montana Heart Center
Newton B Coutinho
2827 Fort Missoula Rd
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 327-4670

The Montana Heart Center
Patricia A Kelly
2827 Fort Missoula Rd
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 327-4670

Rocky Mountain Heart & Lung
William T Highfill
350 Heritage Way
STE 2100
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 257-8992

Missoula, Montana

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Arrhythmia

Read the Arrhythmia article »

What causes an arrhythmia?

Arrhythmias may be caused by many different factors, including:

  • Coronary artery disease
  • Electrolyte imbalances in your blood (such as sodium or potassium).
  • Changes in your heart muscle.
  • Injury from a heart attack
  • Healing process after heart surgery.

Irregular heart rhythms can also occur in "normal, healthy" hearts.

What are the types of arrhythmias?

  • Premature atrial contractions. These are early extra beats that originate in the atria (upper chambers of the heart). They are harmless and do not require treatment.
  • Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). These are among the most common arrhythmias and occur in people with and without heart disease. This is the skipped heartbeat we all occasionally experience. In some people, it can be related to stress, too much caffeine or nicotine, or too much exercise. But sometimes, PVCs can be caused by heart disease or electrolyte imbalance. People who have a lot of PVCs, and/or symptoms associated with them, should be evaluated by a heart doctor. However, in most people, PVCs are usually harmless and rarely need treatment.
  • Atrial fibrillation. AF is a very common irregular heart rhythm that causes the atria, the upper chambers of the heart to contract abnormally.
  • Atrial flutter. This is an arrhythmia caused by one or more rapid circuits in the atrium. Atrial flutter is usually more organized and regular than atrial fibrillation. This arrhythmia occurs most often in people with heart disease, and in the first week after heart surgery. It often converts to atrial fibrillation.
  • Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). A rapid heart rate, usually with a regular rhythm, originating from above the ventricles. PSVT begins and e...

Read the Arrhythmia article »

Recommended Reading Related to Arrhythmia

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) »

What is an electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)?

The electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a noninvasive test that is used to reflect underlying heart conditions by measuring the electrical activity of the heart. By positioning leads (electrical sensing devices) on the body in standardized locations, information about many heart conditions can be learned by looking for characteristic patterns on the EKG.

How is an ECG (EKG) performed?

EKG leads are attached to the body while the patient lies flat on a bed or table. Leads are attached to each extremity (four total) and to six pre-defined positions on the front of the chest. A small amount of gel is applied to the skin, which allows the electrical impulses of the heart to be more easily transmitted to the EKG leads. The leads are attached by small suction cups, Velcro straps, or by small adhesive patches attached loosely to the skin. The test takes about five minutes and is painless. In some insta...

Read the Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) article »

Emergency Contact for Missoula

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Missoula Hospitals *

St Patrick Hospital
500 W Broadway
Missoula, MT 59802
(406)543-7271

Community Medical Center
2827 Fort Missoula Rd
Missoula, MT 59804
(406)728-4100

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MedicineNet Doctors

Suggested Reading on Arrhythmia by Our Doctors

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Arrhythmia

Pulmonary Edema »

What is pulmonary edema?

Edema, in general, means swelling. This typically occurs when fluid from inside blood vessels seeps outside the blood vessel into the surrounding tissues, causing swelling. This can happen either because of too much pressure in the blood vessels or not enough proteins in the bloodstream to hold on to the fluid in the plasma (the part of the blood that does not contain any blood cells).

Pulmonary edema is the term used when edema happens in the lungs. The immediate area outside of the small blood vessels in the lungs is occupied by very tiny air sacs called the alveoli. This is where oxygen from the air is picked up by the blood passing by, and carbon dioxide in the blood is passed into the alveoli to be exhaled out. Alveoli normally have a thin wall that allows for this air exchange, and fluids are usually kept out of the alveoli unless these walls lose their integrity.

Picture of the alveoli and lung
...

Read the Pulmonary Edema article »