Heart rhythm abnormalities, also called arrhythmias, are a common occurrence. An arrhythmia can cause the heart to beat abnormally fast, abnormally slow or beat irregularly. Symptoms can limit activities and negatively affect quality of life. 

At Village Heart and Vein Center, Christopher Jones, MD, is well equipped to care for heart rhythm needs. Dr. Jones is a cardiologist who specializes in cardiac electrophysiology, which is the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal heart rhythms. 

After completing medical school, Dr. Jones completed residency in internal medicine at East Carolina University. He then completed a fellowship in general cardiology at Marshall University, followed by two years of advanced training in electrophysiology at the University of Chicago.

As an electrophysiologist, Dr. Jones works with patients to provide a stable heart rhythm. Although he manages and treats all heart rhythm abnormalities, he’s especially enthusiastic about atrial fibrillation. Often referred to as AFib, atrial fibrillation is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac arrhythmia. One in 4 adults over 40 years old will be diagnosed with AFib.  

Symptoms of AFIB can include:

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the two upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, beat rapidly and irregularly. 

Not all AFib patients experience symptoms. In fact, 15 to 30 percent of people with AFib don’t experience any symptoms. Whether symptoms are present or not, a diagnosis of AFib is associated with a 5 times higher risk of stroke. 

Due to the progressive nature of AFib, effective management becomes more difficult as the condition worsens.  

While many patients with AFib and other arrhythmias are managed with medicines, approximately 50 percent of arrhythmia patients can’t tolerate needed medications. Certain patients are best served with a specialized procedure called cardiac ablation.  

“My training allows me to provide this minimally invasive procedure to locate and stop the cause of problematic arrhythmias with the goal of eliminating the need for daily medications to maintain a normal heart rhythm,” explains Dr. Jones. 

“Heart health is a passion of mine. I strive to provide optimal heart rhythm management to allow my patients the confidence to engage in their favorite activities.”