An arrhythmia is a problem on the rhythm of the heart when the organ beats too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. Arrhythmia occurs because the electrical impulses that serves to regulate the heartbeat do not work properly. Type-the type of arrhythmia most commonly encountered among others:
Arrhythmias can occur without causing symptoms which is recognized by the sufferer. The appearance of symptoms did not necessarily indicate that a heart condition suffered a very severe. Symptoms that can appear and are perceived, among others:
The Cause Of The Arrhythmia
There are several factors that can increase the risk of occurrence of arrhythmias, including:
For diagnosing arrhythmias your doctor will do some tests, among which:
Treatment Of Arrhythmias
Some patients with arrhythmias do not need treatment. Treatment is usually given to the doctor if you see symptoms of arrhythmia patients potentially become worse or cause complications. The type of treatment performed is:
Arrhythmias can be prevented through the following steps:
Complications occur if the arrhythmias make the heart unable to pump blood effectively. If the arrhythmia is not treated immediately or not get the right treatment, then in the long term patients can have heart failure, stroke, and even can lead to death.
- Bradycardia. Condition when the heart beat more slowly or irregularly.
- Heart block. Condition when the heart beats more slowly and can cause a person to faint.
- Tachycardia supraventrikular. Condition when the heart beats fast it's not normal.
- Atrial fibrillation. Condition when the heart is beating very fast, even when resting.
- Ventricular fibrillation. The type of arrhythmia that can cause the sufferer a loss of consciousness or sudden death due to heartbeat that is too fast and irregular.
Arrhythmias can occur without causing symptoms which is recognized by the sufferer. The appearance of symptoms did not necessarily indicate that a heart condition suffered a very severe. Symptoms that can appear and are perceived, among others:
- A sense of pounding in the chest
- The heartbeat is faster than normal (tachycardia)
- The heart rate is slower than everyday (bradycardia)
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fainting
The Cause Of The Arrhythmia
There are several factors that can increase the risk of occurrence of arrhythmias, including:
- Imbalance of electrolyte levels in the blood. The levels of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium are able to disrupt the conduction of electrical impulses in the heart, thereby increasing the risk of the occurrence of arrhythmia.
- The use of drugs. The use of illicit drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine can affect the performance of the heart directly thereby increasing the risk for the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation and other types of arrhythmias.
- Side effects of drugs. Some cough and cold medications that are sold freely in pharmacies can increase a person's risk for having an arrhythmia.
- Consuming too much alcohol. The consumption of alcohol in excessive amounts can affect the heart's electrical impulses so that the greater the risk of the occurrence of atrial fibrillation.
- Consuming too much caffeine or nicotine (smoking). Caffeine and nicotine causes the heart to beat faster from the everyday, and can contribute to the mainstay of the occurrence of arrhythmia.
- Disorders of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is too active or less active are able to increase the risk of arrhythmia.
- Sleep apnea obstructive. This disorder, in which breathing becomes interrupted during sleep, can increase the risk of bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, as well as the type of arrhythmia.
- Diabetes. In addition to enhance the risk of arrhythmias, uncontrolled diabetes are also able to increase the risk of coronary heart disease and high blood pressure.
- Hypertension or high blood pressure. Hypertension will cause the walls of the left ventricle of the heart thicken and become rigid, so that the flow of electricity of the heart will be disturbed.
- Coronary heart disease, other disorders of the heart, or a history of heart surgery. Narrowing of blood vessels arteries of the heart, heart attack, abnormalities in heart valves, heart failure, and heart damage is a risk factor of almost all types of arrhythmia.
For diagnosing arrhythmias your doctor will do some tests, among which:
- An echocardiogram. To evaluate the function of valves and heart muscle as well as detect the cause of the arrhythmia with the help of sound waves ultrasound.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG). To record the electrical activity in the heart by attaching electrodes on the surface of the skin in the chest.
- Test Train Load Of The Heart. The patient will be asked to do physical exercise, such as pedaling a stationary bike or walk on a treadmill. Then blood pressure and heart rate patient is examined through the display. The method of diagnosis is combined with an electrocardiogram. From this test, doctors can see how far the level of regularity of heart rhythm before the change by the influence of physical activity last.
- reveal Holter. The workings of this tool is not much different with the electrocardiogram. However, a tool called display Holter this can be brought the patients home so that it can record the activity of the heart during he do the routine every day.
- Electrophysiological studies. The location of the arrhythmia and its cause can be known by using the technique of mapping the spread of electrical impulses in the heart. The doctor will insert a catheter which include the electrodes to some blood vessels in the heart. Electrophysiological studies can also be used similar methods of pressure test, by stimulating the heart to contract at a level that can trigger the change rate by using these electrodes.
- Catheterization of the heart. This method uses the same tools with electrophysiological studies, namely the catheter. However, in cardiac catheterization, examination conducted with the help of a special dye substance and X-ray to determine the condition of some parts of the heart such as the ventricles, the coronary, valves, and blood vessels.
Treatment Of Arrhythmias
Some patients with arrhythmias do not need treatment. Treatment is usually given to the doctor if you see symptoms of arrhythmia patients potentially become worse or cause complications. The type of treatment performed is:
- Drugs, for example drugs a beta blocker can keep your heart rate in order to remain normal. There is also a anticoagulant medications such as aspirin, warfarin, rivaroxaban, and debigatran which lowers the risk of blood clots and stroke.
- Tool p.c. the heart and the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). To keep the heart rate remains ordinary in cases of arrhythmia specific. This tool is installed under the skin of the upper chest of the patient. When this tool detects the presence of changes in heart rhythm, it will send an electric shock to the heart to stop a rhythm that is not ordinary and make it back to regular.
- Cardioversion. If a case of arrhythmia can not be treated with medication, cardioversion will be performed. The doctor will deliver an electrical shock to the patient's chest to make the heart rate back to ordinary. Cardioversion electric is usually given in cases of arrhythmia atrial fibrillation and tachycardia supraventrikular.
- The method of ablation. To treat arrhythmias that cause layout is already known. The doctor will insert a catheter with a guide X-ray through a blood vessel in the leg. When the catheter managed to find the source of the rhythm disturbance of the heart, then a small tool that will damage a small section of heart tissue.
Arrhythmias can be prevented through the following steps:
- Avoid or reduce stress.
- Consuming healthy food.
- Keeping the ideal weight.
- Do not carelessly consume the drug without the instructions of the drug from a doctor, especially cough and cold medications that contain substances stimulants trigger the heart beat fast.
- Limit the consumption of liquor and caffeinated.
- Not smoking and exercising regularly.
Complications occur if the arrhythmias make the heart unable to pump blood effectively. If the arrhythmia is not treated immediately or not get the right treatment, then in the long term patients can have heart failure, stroke, and even can lead to death.
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