Ask the doctor: Does joint replacement surgery cause heart rhythm problems?
Since I am not an expert in joint replacement surgery, I turned to Dr. Thomas S. Thornhill, chair of the department of orthopedic surgery at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. He said that joint replacement surgery can cause small bits of fat to get into the bloodstream, which can trigger an arrhythmia during the postoperative period but not several months later, and that there is no evidence that orthopedic surgery causes arrhythmias.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
