Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in this country - it is more common than breast cancer, lung cancer, stroke, and AIDS combined. Notables such as Tim Russert and Michael Jackson have been victims of SCA.

The Heart Rhythm Society, the American Heart Association, and the American College of Cardiology have made SCA research and education a priority, putting a significant emphasis on training medical and allied professionals. However, patients and their families also require a special understanding of all aspects of heart rhythm disorders.

As medical professionals, it is our mission to educate patients and their families when faced with an arrhythmia, EP test or procedure. We need to be able to translate the latest medical guidelines for all electrophysiology procedures (including catheter ablation) to layman's terms. I urge all staff and medical professionals to be patient, speak simply and clearly, and listen to your patients when explaining arrhythmias, EP tests, and what to expect. Please listen and answer all your patients' questions. Use models of the different implantable devices when discussing the prospect of a pacemaker or defibrillator. Provide the patients with non-biased written literature and educational materials. Tell them where they can learn CPR and the use of AEDs. Give them support group information (such as the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, etc.), and educate them on remote monitoring if indicated.

Please get the word out for the sake of all of those who need electrophysiology help, so that they can be better prepared, better informed, and more empowered when undergoing an EP test or procedure. For any further thoughts, feel to contact me at tcohen@winthrop.org.

Todd J. Cohen, MD, FACC, FHRS is the Emeritus Editor-in-Chief of EP Lab Digest, author of Practical Electrophysiology, and author of the recently published Johns Hopkins Health Book entitled "A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems."