The NJ Police Chief Magazine - Vol. 27, Number 1 | Page 16

Healthy Living Tips from
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | July/August 2020
HEALTHY TIP: Don’t Let Your Heart Get Out of Rhythm
Arrhythmias, sometimes referred to as heart palpitations, are abnormal beats of the heart. People with heart
arrhythmias may notice their heart beating too slowly (bradycardia), beating too fast (tachycardia) or beating
irregularly (fibrillation). Signs and symptoms may be related to your heart not pumping effectively due to the fast or
slow heartbeat.
According to Dr. Raffaele Corbisiero, Chair of the Electrophysiology Department at Deborah Heart and Lung Center:
“Symptoms could include shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or near fainting, and
chest pain or discomfort. Arrhythmias, however, may not cause any signs or symptoms.”
In fact, Dr. Corbisiero adds, “You might find you have an arrhythmia during a routine examination. If you do have
noticeable signs and symptoms, it does not necessarily mean you have a serious problem.”
Minimally-Invasive Treatment with Unsurpassed Safety
Cardiac catheter ablation, also called radio frequency ablation, is a minimally-invasive procedure that uses a catheter
which is navigated through the blood vessels and into the heart. The catheter delivers energy to precise parts of the
heart muscle, normalizing the electrical signals and returning the heart to normal healthy rhythm.
Dr. Corbisiero notes that the heart is a powerful muscle. “It has to be in order to pump a constant lifetime supply of
blood to the whole body. At the same time, it is extremely delicate and intricate. Performing safe catheter navigation
through each chamber of the heart is essential, so it is important for physicians to use the best and latest technology
available.” Dr. Corbisiero, who himself has performed 1,000 ablations, understands how much the procedure can help
patients.
“Robotic ablation allows for safer and more effective cardiac ablation procedures,” says Dr. Corbisiero. “And not only
do my patients benefit by returning to a normal heart rhythm, the technology offers short procedure time and fast
recovery time, enabling patients to return to normal activity within a few days, reduced patient exposure to X-ray
radiation, and a reduced risk of complications due to perforation of heart tissue.”
“It is immensely gratifying to see my patients with an improved quality of life after an ablation.”
For an appointment with a Deborah Heart and Lung Center specialist:
855-338-9557 or request an appointment online:
www.DemandDeborah.org
15