What is an EP study?
Electrophysiology is a field of heart and vascular care that focuses on your heart’s electrical activity. Cardiologists who specialize in this field, called electrophysiologists, use specialized equipment and perform procedures to diagnose and treat irregular rhythms, or arrhythmias, when your heart’s electrical system doesn’t work properly.
One common diagnostic test electrophysiologists perform is an electrophysiology (EP) study. This study gives physicians a detailed look at your heart’s electrical activity and helps determine appropriate treatments for improving your heart rhythm.
What is an EP study used for?
EP studies can diagnose many different types of arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type.
An EP study can:
- Find out what is causing any abnormal heart rhythms
- Identify from what part of your heart the arrhythmia originates
- Determine your risk of a sudden cardiac event
- Detect what is causing any fainting spells
What to expect with an EP study
​​​​​​​​​​​​​An EP study can be done as an outpatient procedure or during a hospital stay, depending on your condition and the healthcare provider’s approach. Usually, the process involves the following steps:
Before the procedure
You will need to avoid eating or drinking anything the night before your study. Your care team will let you know if or when you need to stop taking medications.
If you have diabetes, tell your doctor about your diet and insulin regimen, as it can affect blood sugar levels and your results.
During the procedure
The EP study is done under conscious sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the clinical situation, and typically takes two to three hours. Catheters are generally inserted through the femoral vein of a leg near your hip area and then guided to different areas of the heart to record your heart’s electrical activity and log your heart rhythm. A pacemaker can be used to try to induce the arrhythmia, which can help diagnose the cause and determine its location.After the procedure
You may need to spend a few hours in a recovery area before you go home so your team can monitor the IV insertion site for bleeding and swelling.
When you go home, follow your care team’s instructions regarding medications you must take and activities to avoid.
You can start eating and drinking within four to six hours and return to your routine the day after the test.
Avoid driving for at least 24 hours.
EP study side effects
EP studies are safe and effective procedures with minimal side effects. Mild soreness and bruising where the IV was inserted are normal, but if your incision begins to bleed, call your physician.
Also, call your physician if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Bruising that gets worse instead of better
- Color changes, swelling, discharge, numbness or tingling in the area where the IV was inserted
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
Call 911 if you notice:
- Chest pain or tightness
- Increased swelling around the incision
- Sudden, severe bleeding that does not stop after applying pressure
- Signs of stroke (weakness in your arm, drooping face or difficulty speaking)
Next steps after an EP study
Once your electrophysiologist identifies the type of arrhythmia you have and its cause, they can recommend treatment options, such as:
- A Holter monitor or other device that monitors your heart rhythm as you go about your daily activities
- An implantable cardiac defibrillator or pacemaker to regulate your heart rhythm
- Catheter ablation, a procedure in which your doctor scars the heart tissue causing your arrhythmia
Find a location near you
You will find expert, personalized care at all Baylor Scott & White EP lab locations. No matter which lab you visit, you can find convenient follow-up care and additional cardiology services at our locations across Central and North Texas.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
763.3 mi
Directions
Call
817.796.7160
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
774.8 mi
Directions
Call
580.208.2700
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
812.1 mi
Directions
Call
903.717.8816
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
817.2 mi
Directions
Call
903.785.8857
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
831.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7760
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
831.3 mi
Directions
Call
877.634.0028
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
831.3 mi
Directions
Call
214.820.8500
Closed
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
841.5 mi
Directions
Call
903.885.3059
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
841.6 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7600
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
877.634.0028
Baylor Scott & White Center for Advanced Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
972.817.6050
Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75702
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7370
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
214.820.8500
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7600
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7760
Touchstone Imaging Tyler
2019 Old Troup Hwy , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
903.526.6736
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital
1814 Roseland Blvd Ste 100, Tyler, TX, 75701
863.8 mi
Directions
Call
903.525.3300
Glen Oaks Hospital
301 Division St , Greenville, TX, 75401
864.7 mi
Directions
Call
903.454.6000
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital - Sherman
3601 N Calais St , Sherman, TX, 75090
866.9 mi
Directions
Call
903.870.0999
Baylor Scott & White Urgent Care+ Sherman
4028 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
867.2 mi
Directions
Call
903.375.0800
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital Urgent Care - Tyler
8101 S Broadway Ave , Tyler, TX, 75703
867.4 mi
Directions
Call
903.939.0920
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.3400
Closed
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 100, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.3500
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates Pediatrics - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 110, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.3600
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Gastroenterology - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.2950
Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic Associates of Dallas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7200
Baylor Scott & White Imaging Center - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 200, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
972.520.9600
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Outpatient Rehabilitation - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 120, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
972.520.9660
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Endoscopy Center - Sherman
1615 US-75 Ste B, Sherman, TX, 75090
868.3 mi
Directions
Call
903.437.6260
Sherman Endoscopy Center
1615 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
868.3 mi
Directions
Call
903.437.6260
Baylor Scott & White Women's Care & Continence Center - Sherman
260 E Evergreen St , Sherman, TX, 75090
868.5 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.4460
Closed
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
868.5 mi
Directions
Call
469.326.2636
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
868.5 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.6100
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
868.5 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.4540
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
869.6 mi
Directions
Call
469.326.2636
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Sherman
204 Medical Dr Ste 240, Sherman, TX, 75092
870.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.4500
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care - Van Alstyne
250 N Collin McKinney Pkwy , Van Alstyne, TX, 75495
876.5 mi
Directions
Call
903.482.9153
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Anna
601 S. Ferguson Pkwy Ste 100, Anna, TX, 75409
878.3 mi
Directions
Call
945.777.3308
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Royse City
594 W Interstate 30 , Royse City, TX, 75189
878.6 mi
Directions
Call
972.635.2401
Closed
- Monday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
878.9 mi
Directions
Call
469.326.2636
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd Ste 104, Anna, TX, 75409
878.9 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.4500
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
880.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.2700
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
880.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.3670
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Institute - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
880.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7560
Closed
- Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - McKinney Red Bud
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
886.6 mi
Directions
Call
972.569.8860
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney Lake Forest
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
886.6 mi
Directions
Call
972.569.8860
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney University
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
886.6 mi
Directions
Call
972.569.8860
Heritage Eye Center
1501 Redbud Blvd , McKinney, TX, 75069
886.8 mi
Directions
Call
972.548.0771
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - McKinney
5268 W University Dr , McKinney, TX, 75071
886.9 mi
Directions
Call
469.814.3278
The Laser Surgery Center, LLC
2600 W University Dr Ste 200, McKinney, TX, 75071
887.4 mi
Directions
Call
972.548.2015
Hours of Operation
Hours
Lab Hours
Hours of Operation
Office Hours