Something is off with your heart rhythm. Unexplained fainting, recurring palpitations, or a racing heartbeat that no test has been able to explain can leave you feeling stuck, especially after months of inconclusive results and unanswered questions. A cardiac electrophysiology (EP) study is one of the most direct and precise ways to identify exactly where an abnormal rhythm originates in your heart’s electrical system.
At Valley Heart & Rhythm in Tarzana, CA, Dr. Menachem Wakslak brings subspecialty expertise and a personally delivered approach to every EP study, so you leave with real answers, not more uncertainty.
What Is a Cardiac Electrophysiology Study?
A cardiac electrophysiology study is a minimally invasive procedure that examines your heart’s electrical system from the inside. Thin, flexible wires called catheters are guided through a blood vessel to your heart, where they record electrical signals in real time.
Unlike surface-level tests such as an EKG or Holter monitor, an EP study allows your physician to observe your heart’s electrical activity up close and, in many cases, reproduce the arrhythmia to pinpoint its exact origin.
What Can an EP Study Diagnose?
EP studies are used to evaluate a wide range of heart rhythm problems, including:
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Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
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The findings help determine the most appropriate path forward, whether that means catheter ablation, a device implant, medication adjustment, or continued monitoring.
Who Is a Candidate for an EP Study?
An EP study may be recommended if you have unexplained fainting, palpitations that haven’t been accounted for by other testing, or a known arrhythmia that needs further characterization. Referrals often come from primary care physicians or general cardiologists, and Dr. Wakslak may also recommend an EP study as part of a thorough evaluation at Valley Heart & Rhythm.
What to Expect During the Procedure
EP studies are performed in a specialized electrophysiology lab under sedation. The procedure typically lasts one to several hours, depending on the complexity of your case. Dr. Wakslak personally oversees every step, from catheter placement to interpreting the results.
If the study identifies a treatable arrhythmia, a catheter ablation may be performed in the same session. This is part of the comprehensive electrophysiology and ablation care available at Valley Heart & Rhythm.
Recovery After an EP Study
Most patients go home the same day following a brief observation period. Dr. Wakslak reviews recovery instructions with you directly before you leave, and follow-up is built into the process. A short period of limited activity is typical, and the team remains available to answer any questions as you recover.
Why Choose Valley Heart & Rhythm for Cardiac Electrophysiology Studies in Tarzana, CA?
Dr. Wakslak founded Valley Heart & Rhythm because he saw firsthand what high-volume, assembly-line medicine costs patients. Not in dollars, but in real answers and real care. He trained in cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and has cared for patients in the San Fernando Valley since 2012. His team is intentionally small so that every patient is known by name and every clinical decision comes from one physician who knows your complete history.
He uses modern mapping tools and fluoroless catheter techniques that reduce radiation exposure during the procedure because at Valley Heart & Rhythm, technology is always in service of your care, never a substitute for the physician relationship. When Dr. Wakslak recommends an EP study, it’s because it’s the right answer for you specifically, not because it fits a production schedule.
Clear Answers, Attentive Care
If unexplained heart rhythm symptoms have left you without a clear diagnosis, an EP study at Valley Heart & Rhythm may provide the clarity that changes everything.
Dr. Wakslak and his team serve patients throughout Tarzana and the broader San Fernando Valley. Call (818) 724-8000 to schedule a consultation and start getting the answers you deserve.
