Heart

My father-in-law, a 70 year old man, wakes un from a sound sleep with very rapid heart beats. They don't stop until medication is administered throught the veins. This has happend twice in the last month.  He has had by pass surgery about 3 or four years ago. Otherwise he is in very good health. Can you please explain this.

Sincerely

Margaret Archer
1930 Raincloud Drive
Rockford, IL  61108

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Dear Margaret

It sounds like he has an arrhythmia. Which type could be determined by the heart rhythm strips from his presentations in the emergency department. He should be seen by a cardiologist for more definitive treatment.

I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.

Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.