Here’s How to Prepare for Your Electrophysiology Study

When you have symptoms such as chest pain, an irregular heart rate, or periods of dizziness or fainting, you probably expect some tests to find out what’s going on. An electrophysiology study is a group of tests you may not be familiar with. 

Our providers at Pinnacle Healthcare System are thorough, and we want to understand the underlying causes of your symptoms so we can recommend the best course of treatment and make recommendations confidently. 

An electrophysiology study, which is sometimes called an EP study, can provide information about the electrical activity in your heart. 

The EP procedure

When you have an EP study, we thread very thin tubes called catheters through blood vessels and into your heart. Sensors at the ends of the catheters record your heart’s electrical activity and also send electrical signals to your heart. 

Before your procedure, you get an IV and we place electrodes in various places on your chest to monitor your heart rate during the test. We shave the area where we plan to place the catheters (often the groin). Then, you receive anesthesia. 

Types of tests

Your doctor may ask for several different tests for your EP study. We may measure the electrical signals in different parts of your test, send signals that make your heart beat faster or slower, or give you medications to see how they affect your heartbeat. 

In some cases, you may have both an EP study and a procedure called a cardiac ablation. A cardiac ablation involves using heat or cold energy to different parts of your heart to cause the formation of scar tissue to block signals that result in an irregular heart rhythm. 

How to get ready

Our staff makes sure you know exactly what you need to do ahead of your procedure. For example, if you’re going to have general anesthesia, we let you know how far ahead you should stop eating. We also let you know if you should stop taking any of your regular medications and when. 

EP studies are outpatient procedures, which means you go home afterward. You need to arrange for someone to drive you since you may be groggy from the anesthesia. Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to change out of and into. 

After your procedure

Most people stay in the recovery room for an hour or two to make sure there aren’t any complications. Once you get home, you’ll want to continue resting. 

You can return to your normal diet and resume taking your regular medications. If you notice any swelling, redness, or pain around the site where the catheter was inserted, contact us.

We’ll schedule a follow up appointment so we can discuss your results within a few days. 

Electrophysiology studies are generally safe and well-tolerated, and more importantly, they can help us understand why you’re experiencing certain symptoms so we can more effectively provide treatment. 

If you have questions about an EP study, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at either our Pembroke Pines or Hollywood, Florida, location. We’re happy to answer your questions in the context of your situation.