Advanced Heart Rhythm Center

Advanced Heart Rhythm Center at St. Joseph’s/Candler

The Advanced Heart Rhythm Center at St. Joseph’s/Candler is committed to helping patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) and other complex heart rhythm problems. As heart rhythm issues increase, the center brings together some of the region's most highly skilled heart specialists to collaborate on treatment plans and provide the latest technologies. Our team specializes in minimally invasive procedures, such as pacemaker implantation, radiofrequency ablation, and the innovative Watchman device. St. Joseph’s/Candler was the first in the area to offer The Watchman, demonstrating our leadership in heart rhythm care.

Conditions treated at the Advanced Heart Rhythm Center

Heart rhythm problems, including arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, are increasingly common and impact how the heart pumps blood throughout the body. Electrical impulses cause the heart to contract and relax in a way that sustains life by pumping blood to the organs. When these impulses misfire, they can cause the heart to beat too slowly, too fast, or irregularly. These abnormal rhythms, known as arrhythmias, can have severe consequences if left untreated.

AFib, the most common arrhythmia, results in irregular impulses in the heart’s upper chambers, impairing the heart’s blood-pumping ability. Some individuals with AFib may be asymptomatic, while others feel heart palpitations, weakness, or dizziness. AFib is a significant risk factor for stroke, especially in older adults with conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or vascular disease, although younger people can also be affected.

Innovative technology for heart rhythm care

The Heart Hospital’s Electrophysiology (EP) Lab utilizes state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat abnormal heart rhythms. Advanced EP monitoring units enable our specialists to map the heart's electrical activity, locate the source of abnormal rhythms, and establish effective treatment plans. EP studies are crucial in evaluating arrhythmias, helping to identify the exact cause of irregular rhythms and develop preventative strategies.

Specialized treatments and procedures

The Watchman Procedure for AFib Patients

The Heart Hospital at St. Joseph’s/Candler is the region's exclusive provider of the Watchman device, a groundbreaking option for AFib patients who cannot safely take blood thinners long-term. The Watchman device significantly reduces the risk of stroke by closing off the left atrial appendage (LAA), which is where most stroke-causing clots originate in AFib patients. Shaped like a small umbrella, the Watchman is guided through a catheter from the patient’s leg into the heart. Once in place, it blocks the LAA, preventing clots from escaping into the bloodstream and reducing the likelihood of a stroke.

This minimally invasive procedure typically takes about an hour, with most patients discharged the following day. After 45 days, over 90 percent of patients are able to stop taking warfarin or other blood-thinning medications.

Are you a candidate for the Watchman Procedure?

Patients with AFib who have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, brain bleeds, easy bruising, or a high fall risk may qualify for the Watchman procedure. To learn more, please call (912) 819-AFIB.

Pacemaker Implantation

Our cardiologists are experienced in implanting pacemakers, devices that regulate heartbeat. These small devices, implanted just below the collarbone, monitor the heart’s rate and help ensure it doesn’t drop below a safe level. Pacemakers provide a continuous, reliable simulation of a normal heart rhythm, improving patient quality of life.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is another minimally invasive treatment for arrhythmias. Our specialists use advanced mapping technology to pinpoint the abnormal tissue causing the arrhythmia. Radiofrequency energy is then delivered to the area to disrupt the faulty electrical pathways, restoring a stable rhythm. This procedure offers an effective solution for many patients experiencing irregular heart rhythms.