The cardiac electrophysiology team at Banner Health is here to diagnose and treat abnormal heart rhythms using advanced technology and personalized care. Whether you feel your heart racing, fluttering or skipping beats, we offer the right options to help you live well.
From minor symptoms to more serious conditions, our heart specialists are trained in detecting and treating heart rhythm disorders with a focus on safety, comfort and results.
Cardiac electrophysiology is the study of the heart’s electrical system - specifically, how electrical impulses help control the way your heart beats. If these impulses are off, it can cause abnormal heart rhythms, also called arrhythmias.
An electrophysiology (EP) study is a specialized test used to record the heart’s activity and find out what’s causing the irregular rhythm. This study can detect conditions like atrial fibrillation (Afib), bradycardia, tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia. It can also help your doctor decide if your current medication is working or if you need a different treatment.
You may be referred for an EP study if:
This test gives your doctor detailed information about your heart’s rhythm and how electrical signals travel through your heart.
Before your EP study, your doctor will review your medications and any conditions that could affect the procedure. You may be asked to stop eating or drinking for several hours before the test.
A local anesthetic or sedation may be given, so it’s important to have someone drive you to and from your appointment. Your care team will explain every step so you know what to expect.
During the procedure, your doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel - usually in your groin - and guide it to your heart. This catheter sends tiny electrical impulses to different areas of your heart and records the heart’s electrical activity in real time.
This test can reveal where a rhythm problem starts and how serious it is. Sometimes, a heart ablation may be done during the same procedure to correct the problem. Sedation or anesthesia will help keep you comfortable throughout.
After your EP study, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following:
These treatments help reduce symptoms, prevent complications like blood clots and improve your quality of life.
Most EP studies are outpatient procedures, which means you’ll go home the same day. Your doctor may suggest taking it easy for a few days.
Banner Health offers at-home monitoring to help track your recovery. These tools can check your blood pressure, heart rhythm and other important signs. Your care team will stay connected and adjust your treatment plan if needed.
EP studies are generally safe, but like all procedures, there are some risks. These may include:
Your doctor will explain any risks before the study and help you feel as comfortable as possible. Let your care team know right away if you feel dizzy or unwell during or after the procedure.
Our electrophysiology labs are equipped with advanced tools like the Genesis system, a robotic platform that improves safety and precision during heart ablation procedures.
This technology uses magnetic navigation to guide catheters and helps map your heart’s electrical impulses with greater accuracy. Banner Health is one of the few centers in the world using this advanced system, which allows for faster, more flexible and minimally invasive procedures.
If you’re experiencing symptoms or have been told you have an irregular heartbeat, an electrophysiology study may help find the cause. Banner Health’s electrophysiology team is here to guide you every step of the way—from testing to treatment to recovery.
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