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Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias

A heart arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. The condition usually occurs when electrical impulses that are responsible for the function of the heartbeat do not work properly. There is faulty signaling, which causes the heart to beat very fast or too slow, resulting in irregularity in the heartbeat.

Most arrhythmias appear like a slight fluttering and may be mildly bothersome. However, others may prove to be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. It is normal for a person to have a racing heartbeat, especially when exercising. Some of the commonly used treatments to treat heart arrhythmia include medications, catheter procedures, and implanted devices to eliminate fast or slow heartbeats. A good diet and active lifestyle can prevent arrhythmias to a large extent.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Arrhythmias

    The most common cause of arrhythmia is an electrolyte imbalance in the blood caused by the deficiency of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. In other cases, heart or cardiac disease may be the cause.

    Stress is a lifestyle condition, and it can lead to heart disease. Extremely stressful events such as a tedious job, grief, death, depression can lead to elevated levels of stress, which may eventually cause arrhythmia. This can, however, be managed with meditation and lifestyle changes.

    Arrhythmia can feel like a pounding in the chest when the heart is beating fast. Some people also complain of feeling faint and dizzy. Older people complain of shortness of breath, anxiety, blurry vision, and sweating, especially in very serious cases.

    Arrhythmia is often triggered by chronic heart disease or even the wrong balance of electrolytes in the blood, which leads to wrong signaling. Illnesses such as fever and certain medications can also compound the problem.

    Arrhythmia is usually diagnosed with the help of an ECG (Electrocardiogram). During an ECG examination, sensors that can pick up electrical activity in the chest are attached to the chest or the limbs. These help to ascertain the time and duration of the heartbeat. Other tests include a Holter device, a portable device worn to detect a heartbeat as you move. An Event Recorder is another wearable device that can help to detect very irregular heartbeats.

    An ECG can easily pick up an arrhythmia. Usually, the heartbeats picked up are either very slow called bradycardia or a fast heartbeat, which is also called tachycardia. An ECG is a useful device as it picks up the timing and duration of each heartbeat during an electrical phase whilst the sensors are attached to the chest of the patient.

    Arrhythmia is commonly treated with a procedure called catheter ablation, in which the doctor threads a catheter in the blood vessels to the heart. Another option is that of pacemaker insertion, a device worn near the collarbone. It slows the heartbeat of a person with a fast heartbeat. In the case of severe heart disease, which may be causing the irregular heartbeat, coronary bypass surgery may be advised by the doctor

    Most arrhythmias are considered very harmless and are left untreated. Once the doctor has diagnosed it, he/she will ascertain if it is clinically significant or can be left as is. If it is causing major discomfort, then it may require medical intervention.

    If there is an underlying heart condition or disease that may be causing it and requires surgery, then surgery may be initiated. In normal cases, a lifestyle change with the help of exercise and a strict nutritional program will reduce the incidence of heart disease that may be causing arrhythmia.

    Arrhythmias, when treated surgically, may require the insertion of a medical catheter to control the underlying condition. This could depend on the seriousness of the condition and may take anywhere between one and three hours.

    Arrhythmia is usually not a serious heart condition and is usually left untreated. In the case of cardiac disease, the disease is treated, which eventually leads to a remission of the arrhythmia. In most cases, though, the condition can be easily managed through medication prescribed by the doctor or a lifestyle change by the patient.

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