Fletcher Allen, a Vermont university hospital and medical center, serves all of
Vermont and the northern New York region. Located in Burlington, Fletcher Allen is a regional, academic healthcare center and teaching hospital in alliance with the University of Vermont.
Heart Rhythm - Paid Search Version
Heart rhythm disorders are more common than you think
What isn't common is Fletcher Allen's commitment to treating heart rhythm disorders.
What is a Heart Rhythm Disorder?
Usually your heart beats consistently in a clear pattern, between 60 to 100 times per minute. Sometimes, electrical impulses cause your heartbeat to change. When your heart beats irregularly, that's called Arrhythmia or a Heart Rhythm Disorder.
There are a number of different arrhythmias:
- Bradycardia = Your heart beats too slowly
- Tachycardia = Your heart beats too quickly
- Fibrillation = Your heart quivers instead of beats
- Premature contraction = Your heart “skips a beat” or has an early beat
What are the Warning Signs of Heart Rhythm Disorders?
The warning signs of Heart Rhythm Disorders depend on the individual. Some people have no symptoms at all, while others experience sudden collapse and loss of consciousness or death. In between these two extremes is an entire range of symptoms from insignificant palpitations to marked fluttering in the chest accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating, and lightheadedness. These are important symptoms and should not be ignored. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor.
To speak with someone about your irregular heartbeat, call 1-877-697-6008
Nikki VanVorhis talks about her cardiac ablation procedure which successfully treated her irregular heart beat (supra-ventricular tachycardia).
Watch her video
After heart rhythm diagnosis and treatment, read how outdoor enthusiast Jane Yagoda was back in her kayak in a few months.
Read her story
What are the Treatments for Heart Rhythm Disorders?
What treatment is provided to a given patient depends on the severity of the heart rhythm problem. Many heart rhythm problems do not require any treatment at all, other than reassurance.
The Heart Rhythm Program at Fletcher Allen is among a handful of groups in the country able to offer the most advanced care to patients with heart rhythm disorders. Our treatments include:
- Lifestyle changes
- Medicine to prevent and control arrhythmias and to treat related conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and heart failure
- Anticoagulants to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke
- A pacemaker that uses batteries to help your heart beat more regularly
- Cardiac defibrillation and implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)
- Cardiac ablation surgery
Research That's Advancing Treatment Options
Fletcher Allen, together with the University of Vermont, is one of eight North American medical centers funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to serve as a Regional Clinical Center of the Heart Failure Clinical Research Network. This means we're involved in the latest research, looking for treatments and cures that will benefit people in our community and around the world.
Fletcher Allen was named to the list of Top 100 Hospitals for Cardiovascular Care in the United States in the 2009 annual study released in November by Thomson Reuters, Inc. The 11th annual study identifies the 100 U.S. hospitals that set the nation's benchmarks for inpatient cardiovascular care. More
Request an Appointment
To make an appointment with one of our specialists, fill out the form below. Please be assured your submission is secured and confidential. Privacy Policy
Bienvenue! Fletcher Allen Health Care welcomes our Canadian neighbors - including translation services and financial discounts for health care services - more information for Canadian Patients & Visitors.