Alex Kenny
Arrhythmia Clinical Nurse Specialist, Beacon Hospital
Arrhythmia detection and management are changing, with new self-referral pathways and arrhythmia Clinical Nurse Specialist clinics for arrhythmia patient management.
Alex Kenny, arrhythmia Clinical Nurse Specialist at Beacon Hospital, discusses her role in arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) diagnosis and management. “My role provides a newly established service in which patients can receive sub-specialty care and access to treatment, including a same-day Consultant Electrophysiologist consultation,” she says. “The most prevalent arrhythmias we treat are atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and ventricular ectopy.”
Arrhythmia detection with smart devices
“We tailor our diagnostics and management based on each patient, with full cardiac assessment including a 12-lead ECG, echocardiogram, exercise stress test, 24 to 72-hour Holter monitor and potential referral for cardiac MRI,” explains Kenny.
Wearable devices, such as smartwatches, can help increase detection of arrhythmias significantly, particularly in individuals who might otherwise go undiagnosed. “Patients can self-refer to our service based on their symptoms or smart device data, or they can be referred to us by their GP,” she adds. “Smart devices are changing the way heart conditions are detected and diagnosed; there is an increase in patients presenting directly to our clinic as they are now taking more responsibility for their heart health. It’s a useful tool as Cardiologists can now rely on this data to diagnose symptoms.”
Patients can self-refer to our service based on
their symptoms or smart device data, or
they can be referred to us by their GP.
Why early detection matters
Kenny explains: “Symptoms can include palpitations, an increased/irregular heart rate above the typical 60–100 beats per minute, fatigue and shortness of breath — but for some people, there may be no symptoms at all.”
Organisations across Ireland promote cardiac screening in young people, especially for those who are asymptomatic or in high-risk groups, such as athletes or those with a family history of arrhythmias. She adds: “Follow-up is a big part of my role; one patient told me that finally getting a diagnosis completely changed her life.”
Treatment options for patients with arrhythmia
“We are lucky to be a technologically advanced hospital, so if there is a way to stop patients from being on long-term drug therapy, we will endeavour to find it,” says Kenny. “We are treating more patients than ever before with catheter ablation, which reduces the number of long-term medications they will require and improves patients’ ongoing quality of life.”
The procedure is not limited on the basis of age, and the success rate is high, according to Kenny. She concludes: “By leveraging the latest in diagnostic tools and treatments, we aim to provide tailored, effective care and enhance the quality of life for our patients.”
