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Posts tagged heart
Treatment for Arrhythmias
Jun 2nd
Arrhythmia is an irregular heart beat. . Arrhythmia can occur with other symptoms or arrhythmia can be present silently, without any symptoms. In such cases the arrhythmia is diagnosed at a regular medical checkup or with the help of an ECG. In a healthy heart arrhythmia can be caused by a number of reasons such as physical exertion, sudden emotional upsets, anxiety , stress or a sudden rush of adrenaline as a result of fear or excitement. This type of heart arrhythmia typically feels like a skipped beat, followed by a heavy thud. The occasional presence of an irregular heart beat generally does not affect the health and well being of an individual.
However, if the person suffering form arrhythmia reports persistent episodes of arrhythmia then he should consult his heath care professional, who in turn may refer the patient to a cardiac surgeon for further investigations and treatment. In cases where arrhythmia is accompanied with other symptoms such as dizziness, sudden pain in the left side of the chest, heart region and left shoulder, difficulty in breathing and fainting, the affected individual should immediately seek urgent medical assistance.
Treatment
Arrhythmia can be caused as a result of a number of reasons. Many people suffer from arrhythmia but it is not associated with any other cardiac diseases or heath problems. In other cases, it is extremely important to determine the cause of arrhythmia and also to carry out laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures to investigate any underlying health problems. In people who suffer from arrhythmia but who are otherwise healthy, no treatment is needed. Some of the common forms of treatment for arrhythmia are listed below.
- Pacemaker
A pacemaker is a small electric device that sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscle. The electric impulses stimulate the heart muscle and help to maintain a stable heart rate. The main function of the pacemaker is to prevent the heart from beating too slowly. It is especially useful in case of heart block.
- Defibrillator
Another important device that is used to maintain a stable heart rate is the defibrillator. This is a highly sophisticated device and it is manly used to treat ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. When the heart is beating dangerously fast or irregularly, a higher energy shock may be delivered to the heart muscle to restore a normal rhythm.
- Electrophysiology study
Electrophysiology study is a type of cardiac surgery. The main aim of this surgery is to detect the site of arrhythmia in the heart. This is carried out with the help of highly sophisticated instruments and advanced technology. After locating the site of the arrhythmia, it is eliminated with the help of bursts of radio frequency energy.
Lifestyle changes
When a person is diagnosed to be suffering from arrhythmia, then he needs to make certain lifestyle changes. These include limiting the intake of caffeine. He needs to take steps to quit smoking and avoid heavy consumption of alcohol or episodes of binge drinking.
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Causes of Arrhythmias
Jun 1st
Arrhythmia is defined as an irregular heartbeat.
Working of the Circulatory System
The circulatory system is made up of the heart, arteries and veins. Arteries are blood vessels that carry the purified or oxygenated blood from the heart to the cells and the organs of the body. The cells use the oxygen from this blood in order to create energy and to function properly. In the process they release carbon dioxide into the blood. This deoxygenated blood is carried by the veins back to the heart where the blood is oxygenated and again pumped into the blood for circulation. The main role of the circulatory system is to deliver oxygen and nutrients to every cell and take away their waste products. The heart is located inside the chest, in front of the lungs and slightly to the left.
The heart is made up of four chambers. The upper chambers are called as atria and the lower chambers are called as ventricles. The atria are divided into right atrium and left atrium by the auricular wall. The ventricles are divided into right and left ventricles by the ventricular wall. The right atrium takes in deoxygenated blood, which is then squeezed into the right ventricle and pumped to the lungs. Oxygenated blood from the lungs travels to the left atrium and from there, enters the left ventricle and is pumped around the body. The contractions of the chambers make the sound of heartbeats. A special cluster of cells, situated in the right atrium and called the sinus node, regulates the heart rate.
Causes of arrhythmia in a healthy heart
Depending on a person’s age and level of fitness, the heart beats (on average) between 60 and 100 times every minute. Heart rates can also be irregular. Almost everyone experiences a palpitation occasionally. This may be the result of a very brief period of irregular heartbeat.
Some of the common causes of arrhythmia in a healthy heart are listed below:
- Physical exertion
- Sudden emotional disturbances
- Excessive intake of caffeine
- Sudden rush of adrenaline as a result of fear or excitement
Arrhythmia can also be caused as a result of some drugs
Some of the common drugs and medications that are associated with arrhythmia are listed below
- Appetite suppressants
- Beta blockers
- Amphetamines
- Some asthma medications
- Thyroid medications
- Caffeine
- Cocaine
- Nicotine in cigarette smoke
Serious health problems that can cause arrhythmia
Arrhythmia can also be an associated symptom of some serious health conditions. These are listed below:
- Coronary artery disease
- Previous heart attack
- Congenital valve abnormalities
- Hyperthyroidism
- Electrolyte imbalance in the body
- Abnormalities in the heart valve
The occasional presence of an irregular heart beat generally does not affect the health and well being of an individual. However, consistent irregularities of the heartbeat should be investigated by a doctor. If along with palpitations an individual also complains of other symptoms such as pain in chest, dizziness, difficulty in breathing and fainting, then he should seek urgent medical assistance.
Symptoms of Arrhythmias
May 31st
Arrhythmia is defined as an irregular heartbeat. Occasional palpitations during periods of emotional disturbances, excessive intake of caffeine or physical stress are normal and are nothing to worry about. Every one experiences a missed beat sometimes. In some individuals the arrhythmias may be silent arrhythmias. Silent arrhythmias are not associated with any symptoms. These are detected with the help of an electrocardiogram. Some of the common and serious symptoms of arrhythmias are listed below:
- Persistent palpitations
Palpitation, in simple terms means being aware of one’s own heart beat. The heart beats regularly. We are not even aware that it’s beating, under normal circumstances. However, in cases of stress, anxiety, sudden emotional disturbances such as excitement and shock and in cases of physical exertion or exercise, the heart starts to beat faster than usual. This is normal. But in these circumstances one becomes aware of the heart beat. This is known as palpitation. The palpitations may feel like pounding, galloping or fluttering .When one starts to experience palpitations frequently, then it can be associated with cardiac diseases or other health problems. In such instances, it is necessary to consult the heath care professional, who might refer you to a cardiac specialist for a detailed and further examination.
- Chest pain
Another important and serious symptom that may be associated with arrhythmia is chest pain. Under normal circumstances, the most common cause of chest pain is the boating of the abdomen. If the chest pain is associated with palpitations, if the chest pain is sudden and extreme and originating from the left side of the chest and in the left shoulder region, then the individual must immediately seek urgent medical assistance. Chest pain may also be accompanied by sweating..In such circumstances, the chest pain is usually associated with cardiac problems which may even prove to be life threatening, such as a cardiac arrest.
- Dyspnea
When arrhythmia is associated with dyspnea then it becomes cause of concern. Dyspnea is difficulty in breathing. The individual often complains of palpitations, loud beating of the heart or irregular heartbeats accompanied by tightness in chest and difficulty in breathing. The person may report shortness of breath. This is another case that calls for urgent medical help.
- Dizziness
Palpitations and arrhythmias can also be accompanied with a feeling of dizziness or light headedness. The person may also complain of fullness in the throat and the chest. This is a serious condition requiring urgent medical intervention.
Tachycardia
This is a type of arrhythmia in which the heart beats at a rate of more than 100 beats per minute. Tachycardia can occur when the person is under physical exertion such as rigorous exercise or emotional stress. Most episodes of tachycardia are experienced in the upper chambers of the heart, or atria. Those that occur in the lower chambers, or ventricles, are more serious. Arrhythmias in the ventricles are associated with sudden cardiac death, particularly if the ventricles are reduced to quivering rather than beating.
Bradycardia
Bradycardia occurs when the heart beats slowly, at a rate of less than 60 beats per minute. People who are physically fit may have a heart rate slower than normal when they are resting. In some cases, bradycardia can be caused by problems with the sinus node of the heart.
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What is Arrythmia?
May 30th
Arrhythmia is defined as an irregular heartbeat. Depending on a person’s age and level of fitness, the heart beats (on average) between 60 and 100 times every minute. Heart rates can also be irregular. Almost everyone experiences a palpitation occasionally. This may be the result of a very brief period of irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmias and abnormal heart rates don’t necessarily occur together. Arrhythmias can occur with a normal heart rate. In a healthy heart arrhythmia can be caused by a number of reasons such as physical exertion, sudden emotional upsets, anxiety , stress or a sudden rush of adrenaline as a result of fear or excitement. This type of heart arrhythmia typically feels like a skipped beat, followed by a heavy thud. The occasional presence of an irregular heart beat generally does not affect the health and well being of an individual. However, consistent irregularities of the heartbeat should be investigated by a doctor. If along with palpitations an individual also complains of other symptoms such as pain in chest, dizziness, sudden pain in the left side of the chest, heart region and left shoulder, difficulty in breathing and fainting, then he should seek urgent medical assistance.
Some of the common types of arrhythmias are listed below:
- Bradyarrhythmia
An Arrhythmia that occurs in case of a slow heart rate that is a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute is known as bradyarrhythmia.
- Tachyarrhythmia
An Arrhythmia that occurs when the heart rate is fast, that is when the heart beats at a rate of more than 100 beats per minute is known as tachyarrhythmia.
- Premature Atrial Contractions
Premature atrial contractions are extra heart beats that originate in the atria chambers of the heart. Atria are the upper chambers of the heart. These are usually harmless and do not need any treatment.
- Premature Ventricular Contractions
Premature ventricular contractions are the most common forms of arrhythmias. This is the irregular heart beat or a missed heart beat that every one of us experiences at some point of time. It can occur in a healthy heart as well as in individuals suffering from cardiac problems. In some people the premature ventricular contractions are associated with excessive consumption of caffeine, physical exertion and emotional stress or sudden emotional disturbances. However, people who frequently experience premature ventricular contractions or in case of pope who suffer from other associated symptoms such as fainting and dizziness or cardiac problems should consult a cardiac specialist.
- Atrial Fibrillation
This is a very common irregular heart rhythm that causes the upper chambers of the heart to contract abnormally.
- Heart Block
In case of a heart block the electrical impulse which travels from the sinus node to the ventricles of the heart is blocked completely or it might be delayed, resulting in an irregular heartbeat. If serious, heart block is treated with a pacemaker.
Some other forms of arrhythmias are ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, accessory pathway tachycardia, AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia and long QT syndrome.
