Arrhythmia describes a problem with your heartbeat’s regular rhythm. It’s like having a dysfunctional conductor in an orchestra– the electrical impulses that manage your heartbeat are malfunctioning, which can cause your heart to beat too quickly, too slowly, or in a chaotic pattern. Some arrhythmias are harmless and go away on their own, while others may carry risks for more serious problems, including stroke or heart failure if treatment is not sought.
Introduction to What is Arrhythmia?
The human heart is a marvel of physiology. It beats with smooth, fluid rhythm because of electrical impulses which are generated by specific tissues in the heart. During rest, a normal heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute (bpm). Disruption of this pattern is known as arrhythmia.
With today’s medicine, very few things can affect your health as much as age. This is especially true for the prevalence of arrhythmias which seem to only worsen with age and are common amongst individuals with existing cardiac diseases or risk factors. In most people, these rhythms are not permanent and do not pose a threat. But in some people, moderate or severe symptoms indicate that something more serious is going on that needs evaluation.
Categories of Arrhythmia
A prompt assessment and intervention can be possible when one is aware of the possible types of arrhythmias. The major types include:
1. Tachycardia
It is common to hear the term “Tachycardia” in conversations regarding health. The term is used to refer to a heart condition where the organ beats more than one hundred times per minute. Other forms of tachycardia include:
- Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
- Atrial Flutter
2. Bradycardia
Bradycardia is thus defined as a heart rate that’s lower than sixty beats per minute. It can be symptomatic of more severe complications among individuals who are not particularly athletic.
3. Anomalous Heart Beats
Such heartbeats, which are either an extra beat or ectopic, interrupt the orderly pacing of beats. The emergence of these rhythms fluctuates in periodic ways out of a central pattern from normal.
4. Fibrillation
Fibrillation is essentially about the heart struggling to respond to incoming signals. The most common forms are Atrial ventricle which tend to elevate the probabilities of stroke.
- Reasons for Arrhythmias
- Corranary artery disease
- Hypertension
- Abnormalities of the heart valves
Changes to the normal ranges of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium
- Hypothyroidism
- Alcoholics
- Some drugs
- Smokers
- Heart malformations from birth
- Anxiety
- Sleep disorders
In some scenarios, the more precise reasons for experiencing arrhythmias is ambiguous.
Signs of Arrhythmia
For many people suffering from arrhythmia, symptoms may go unnoticed. If symptoms do show, they can consist of:
- Feeling a ‘thumping’ or ‘fluttering’ heart
- Dizziness or ringing in the ears
- Breathlessness
- Feeling excessively tired or weak
- Discomfort or Pain in the chest
- Fainting spells (syncope)
We recommend seeing a cardiologist if you are dealing with the symptoms consistently so that you can be diagnosed properly.
How is Arrhythmia Diagnosed?
Combining a medical history review with physical examination usually suffices to arrive at a diagnosis of arrhythmia. Common tests include:
1. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
Is the most common test for detecting arrhythmias as it gathers the electric vitals of the heart.
2. Holter Monitor
This is a portable device which can be worn for 24 to 48 hours which continuously gathers heart activity data.
3. Event Monitor
It is used to record rhythms over a longer duration of time, even months, especially when the symptoms are less frequent.
4. Echocardiogram
This test uses ultrasound technology to create images of the heart while it is operating.
5. Stress Test
Keeps an eye on the heart while the body is physically active.
6. Electrophysiological (EP) Study
Maps out electric signals of the heart using catheters placed inside the heart.
Arrhythmia Treatment Options
The various types and degrees of arrhythmia will determine the treatment approach. These may include:
1. Modifications to daily activities and habits
- Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol
- Smoking cessation
- Stress management
- Regular exercise (as advised)
- Following a heart-healthy diet
2. Pharmacotherapy
- Antiarrhythmic drugs: Help control heart rhythm.
- Beta-blockers: Reduce heart rate.
- Calcium channel blockers: Help relax blood vessels and slow the heart.
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners): Prevent blood clots in cases like AFib.
3. Medical Treatments
- Cardioversion: An electrical shock restores normal rhythm.
- Catheter Ablation: Destroys the tissue causing irregular beats.
- Pacemaker: A small device implanted under the skin to regulate slow heartbeats.
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): Used for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
4. Surgical Intervention
In some severe cases, surgical interventions such as the Maze procedure or coronary bypass might be performed.
Can Arrhythmia Be Prevented?
Though it is not possible to prevent all arrhythmias, certain strategies help minimize the risk of developing them:
- Control blood pressure and cholesterol
- Avoid using stimulant drugs
- Attend health screening appointments
- Control long term illnesses such as diabetes and thyroid diseases
- Maintain an active lifestyle
Conclusion
Arrhythmia is a condition which can be graded as benign or malignant. Knowing what arrhythmia is along with its symptoms, causes, and treatments enables a person to take control over his or her cardiac wellness. In case you or someone close to you has symptoms of arrhythmia, early diagnosis and appropriate therapy can avoid complications.
