Irregular heart beats or abnormally beating of the heart, skipping of the heart beats all point towards a medical condition called heart arrhythmias. Heart Arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythm, is a group of medical problems arising due to irregular heart beat. Abnormal beats, rapid beats, skipped heart beats, and slow beats all come under the umbrella of heart arrhythmias. Most often arrhythmias are asymptomatic. However, some patients might show prominent symptoms like chest discomfort, syncope, fainting, losing consciousness suddenly, blood flow to brain obstructed
What is Heart Arrhythmias
Heart Arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythm, is a group of medical problems arising due to irregular heart beat. Abnormal beats, rapid beats, skipped heart beats, and slow beats all come under the umbrella of heart arrhythmias. Most often arrhythmias are asymptomatic. However, some patients might show prominent symptoms like chest discomfort, syncope, fainting, losing consciousness suddenly, blood flow to brain obstructed
Types of Heart Arrhythmias
- 1. Bradycardia
- 2. Tachycardias or tachyarrhythmias or Supraventricular arrhythmias
- 3. Ventricular arrhythmias
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Bradycardia is a medical condition of heart beat irregularity in which the heart beat is slower than normal heart beat, that is below 60 beats per minute.
Tachycardias or tachyarrhythmias or Supraventricular arrhythmias is called fast heart beat.
Ventricular arrhythmias is a medical condition of heart beat abnormality in which the ventricles of the heart twitch suddenly and do not contract properly resulting in irregular heart rhythm.
Causes of Heart Arrhythmias
- 1. History of heart attack- Previously occurred heart attack can cause scarring
- 2. Metabolic disorders like diabetes
- 3. High blood pressure
- 4. Cardiomyopathies
- 5. Viral infections damaging heart tissues
- 6. Sleep apnea
- 7. Hyperthyroidism
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How is it Formed
Synptoms of Heart Arrhythmias
- 1. Chest discomfort
- 2. Syncope
- 3. Fainting
- 4. Breathing problem
- 5. Dizziness
- 6. Losing consciousness suddenly
- 7. Blood flow to brain obstructed
- 8. Anxiety
- 9. Sweating
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Diagnosis of Heart Arrhythmias
- 1. Portable and wearable ECG recorder
- 2. Event recorder
- 3. Echocardiogram
- 4. Tilt table test
- 5. ECG or EKG
- 6. Electrophysiological mapping
- 7. EP testing
- 8. Loop recorder implants
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Do’s
- 1. Healthy heart diet management
- 2. Regular exercise
- 3. Lose weight
- 4. Control the cholesterol levels
- 5. Control the blood pressure
- 6. Eat light and less salt food
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Don’t
- 1. Avoid smoking
- 2. Avoid alcohol
- 3. Avoid processed foods
- 4. Avoid foods containing high trans fats
- 5. Avoid salty foods
- 6. Avoid illegal drugs
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Treatments for Heart Arrhythmais
Treatment option largely depends on the type of heart arrhythmias a patient is suffering from, If it is brachycardia, tachycardia or ventricular arrhythmias, all will be treated differently.
Non Surgical Treatments
Non surgical methods to treat heart arrhythmias majorly consisted of lifestyle modifications and medications. With the advent of advanced technologies in the diagnostic sector of cardiac health, doctors are now able to perform a plethora of therapies to the patients suffering from heart arrhythmias.
Medications for heart arrhythmias
- 1. Potassium channel blocker- Dofetilide
- 2. Sodium-channel blockers
- 3. Channel blockers for Calcium
- 4. Beta blockers- Flecainide and Amiodarone
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Highly safe medications for heart arrhythmias- Dofetilide and amiodarone are among the most safe drugs for heart arrhythmias.
Therapies for heart arrhythmias
- 1. Vagal maneuvers
- 2. Cardioversion
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Surgical Treatments
- 1. Catheter ablation
- 2. Implants – ICD (Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator)
- 3. Pacemaker
- 4. Bypass surgery (coronary bypass)
- 5. Open heart surgery includes maze procedure
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Risks & Complications For Heart Arrhythmais
- 1. Sudden death
- 2. Heart attack or failure
- 3. Blood clot can move to brain leading to stroke
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If Left Untreated
Irregular rhythm is common, it can occur due to some emergency situations or excessive work after a long time of sessile body posture. But frequent or persistent irregular heart beats might lead to serious complications which include,
- 1. Sudden death
- 2. Heart attack or failure
- 3. Blood clot can move to brain leading to stroke
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Cost for Heart Arrhythmias Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the warning signs of arrhythmia?
The warning signs of arrhythmia include, but are not limited to
- 1. Chest discomfort
- 2. Syncope
- 3. Fainting
- 4. Breathing problem
- 5. Dizziness
- 6. Losing consciousness suddenly
- 7. Blood flow to brain obstructed
- 8. Anxiety
- 9. Sweating
-
How do you fix a heart arrhythmia?
Non surgical methods to treat heart arrhythmias majorly consisted of lifestyle modifications and medications. With the advent of advanced technologies in the diagnostic sector of cardiac health, doctors are now able to perform a plethora of therapies to the patients suffering from heart arrhythmias.
Major medications for heart arrhythmias:
- 1. Potassium channel blocker- Dofetilide
- 2. Sodium-channel blockers
- 3. Channel blockers for Calcium
- 4. Beta blockers- Flecainide and Amiodarone
-
Can ECG detect arrhythmia?
Yes, ECG can detect arrhythmias. Following methods are also employed to detect arrhythmias,
- 1. Portable and wearable ECG recorder
- 2. Event recorder
- 3. Echocardiogram
- 4. Tilt table test
- 5. ECG or EKG
- 6. Electrophysiological mapping
- 7. EP testing
- 8. Loop recorder implants
-
Is heart arrhythmia serious?
Yes, heart arrhythmias are serious, but it is more important to stay calm, if you really wanna heal. Serious complications that can occur due to ignorance include,
- 1. Sudden death
- 2. Heart attack or failure
- 3. Blood clot can move to brain leading to stroke
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Is arrhythmia curable?
Yes, at times it can be cured easily through simple medications, however, one must not ignore the occurrence of frequent irregular heart beats as they can lead to serious complications.
How can I check my arrhythmia at home?
You can check your arrhythmia at home using a portable and wearable ECG recorder.
Can arrhythmia cause death?
Yes, arrhythmia can cause death, if left untreated.
Can arrhythmia stop your heart?
Yes, arrhythmia can stop your heart in some severe cases.
Does arrhythmia shorten your life?
Irregular rhythm is common, it can occur due to some emergency situations or excessive work after a long time of sessile body posture. But frequent or persistent irregular heart beats might lead to serious complications which include,
- 1. Sudden death
- 2. Heart attack or failure
- 3. Blood clot can move to brain leading to stroke
-
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