short question

So many of you refer to your E P. Now I ask you what is and E P? 'Cause I don't have one. They never even answer my calls so I can't ask the cards.

4 Comments

EP

by sweetkozy - 2007-10-09 08:10:46

EP ----- Electrophysiologist

Many of us see any Electrophysiologist (EP) instead of a cardiologist. It all depends on the nature of your heart condition. All of my problems mainly have to do with the electrical system of the heart, so I choose to stick with my EP doc, instead of going to a cardiologist. Believe me.....he knows way more about the electrical workings of the heart than the 4-5 cardialogists I have seen.


From Wikipedia

"Cardiac electrophysiology is the science of the mechanisms, functions, and performance of the electrical activities of specific regions of the heart. This term is usually used in describing studies of such phenomena by invasive (intracardiac) recording of spontaneous activity as well as of cardiac responses to programmed electrical stimulation. These studies are performed to assess complex arrhythmias, elucidate symptoms, evaluate abnormal electrocardiograms, assess risk of developing arrhythmias in the future, and design treatment. These procedures increasingly include therapeutic methods (typically radiofrequency ablation) in addition to diagnostic and prognostic procedures. Other therapeutic modalities employed in this field include antiarrhythmic drug therapy and implantation of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

A specialist in cardiac electrophysiology is known as a cardiac electrophysiologist, or (more commonly) simply an electrophysiologist. Cardiac electrophysiology is considered a subspecialty of cardiology, and in most countries requires two or more years of fellowship training beyond a general cardiology fellowship. They are trained to perform interventional cardiac EP procedures as well as surgical device implantations."

Basically they specialize in the electrical function of the heart.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Jenny

What Is An EP

by Bub - 2007-10-09 09:10:21

EP stands for electrophysiologist. An EP can usually answer all the questions about our pacemakers we can never get answers for from our cardiologist.

Almost any competent cardiac surgeon can implant a pacemaker, but that does not mean he will know beans about the internals of the device or how to get the most from a pacemaker and that can lead to patients having these devices that are not in tune with that patient's real needs. Think of it this way, a good cardiologist that implants a pacemaker without a full knowledge of that device is about like calling the electrician to work on your computer. The electrician knows electricity and the computer must have electricity to operate, and knowing that may end the electrician’s expertise in computers. That cardiologist knows what makes the heart beat and he may also know that the pacemaker can assist in keeping the heart beating as needed, but that does not necessarily means he knows how the pacemaker is doing all this.

Having an EP for our pacemaker needs is always best. So, whenever possible get an expert in whatever field of medicine for which you have a need.

I see Jenny has already answered your question extremely well but I worked too hard with my two finger typing putting this together not to go ahead and post it as it is my first (and will probably be my last as this is hard work) attempt to answer a question here.

Bub

To Bub

by sweetkozy - 2007-10-09 11:10:51

I am sitting here with a smile on my face! :) snickering

I think you did a very nice job explaining it! It was worth the effort and don't stop posting! I simply just copied and pasted, hence the quotation marks and I crudley gave credit to my source. LOL Yours was much more thought out and I would have to say better. :)

Cheers,
Jenny

EP's

by janetinak - 2007-10-10 02:10:01

I am lucky that my cardio group includes a cardio & an EP. See both as needed & T.G. not much needed lately as the energizer bunny is working great. And I am forever grateful they continue to see me even tho I am on Medicare now & they don't get paid hardly anything for seeing me.I heard my EP give a presentation to the general public ( & quite a few of his patients showed up too) & he said that they now think of the cardio's as plumbers & EP's as electricians. Good comparsion I think.

Bub, I agree with Jenny keep posting & you both did a good job. Thanks.

You know you're wired when...

You have rhythm.

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