The heart is a remarkable organ that works nonstop to keep us alive by pumping blood throughout our bodies.
The heart follows a specific rhythm to ensure that each beat is perfectly timed. However, there are times when this rhythm fluctuates, which leads to a condition called arrhythmia.
An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. It can appear in a variety of ways, from small anomalies to diseases that pose a serious risk to life.
Hospitals in countries like India, Turkey, Thailand, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates have state-of-the-art technology that can be effectively used to treat arrhythmias. These hospitals have a pool of highly specialized cardiologists who effectively diagnose and treat diseases.
What is arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia, or dysrhythmia, includes any abnormal heart rhythm. In a healthy heart, electrical signals travel through a specific pathway. This ensures that the heart chambers contract synchronously. This well-timed contraction effectively pumps blood throughout the body.
In arrhythmia, this electrical signaling system becomes faulty, causing an irregular heartbeat. These irregularities may manifest as:
Heart beating too fast (tachycardia)
Heart beating too slowly (bradycardia)
An irregular, unpredictable pattern
What are the types of arrhythmias?
Arrhythmias can be classified into the following types:
Atrial fibrillation (AFib): This occurs when the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of contracting.
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT): VT is a rapid heart rhythm that originates in the ventricles. If VT is not treated in a timely manner, it may be fatal.
Atrial Flutter: Like AFib, atrial flutter involves rapid, abnormal contractions of the atria.
Bradycardia: Characterized by a slow heart rate, usually less than 60 beats/min. It can be a result of aging, certain medications, or heart disease.
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): SVT is a rapid heartbeat that originates above the ventricles. It may cause palpitations, dizziness, or fainting.
Premature contractions: These occur when the heart experiences an extra, early beat, which can feel like a flutter or pounding in the chest.
What are the symptoms of arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia symptoms vary from patient to patient, as some individuals may not experience any noticeable symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may be subtle depending on the type and severity of the arrhythmia.
Common symptoms of arrhythmia include:
Chest palpitations
depression
Dizziness or light-headedness
shortness of breath
Chest pain or discomfort
Rapid heartbeat
Slow heartbeat
The seriousness of the arrhythmia is not usually determined by the intensity of the symptoms.
Some potentially fatal arrhythmias may only have little or no symptoms, hence it is crucial to identify them quickly.
What are the causes and risk factors of arrhythmia?
Arrhythmias can develop for a variety of reasons. The causes of arrhythmia can be broadly classified into the following two groups:
Heart-related causes:
Heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD), and heart failure can disrupt the heart’s electrical system, causing arrhythmias.
Prior heart surgery, trauma, or infection can create scar tissue that interferes with the heart’s electrical signals.
Arrhythmias can occur in individuals with congenital heart disease or structural abnormalities present at birth.
High blood pressure (hypertension) can increase the risk of arrhythmias, especially AFib.
Heart valve problems can disrupt blood flow and cause arrhythmias.
Non-heart-related causes:
The risk of arrhythmias increases with age because the heart’s electrical system can deteriorate over time.
Medications, including certain antibiotics, asthma medications, and antidepressants, can trigger arrhythmias as a side effect.
Excessive use of caffeine, nicotine, or recreational drugs may increase the risk of arrhythmias.
Heavy alcohol consumption can disrupt the heart’s electrical signals and cause arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation.
Stress and anxiety can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, potentially causing arrhythmias.
Abnormal levels of potassium, sodium, or calcium in the body can affect the heart’s electrical system.
How are arrhythmias diagnosed?
Accurate diagnosis is important to determine the type and severity of the arrhythmia and to make treatment decisions.
The diagnostic process may involve the following:
A detailed medical history, including family history, current medications, and lifestyle factors, is essential to assess arrhythmia risk factors.
A thorough physical exam allows the healthcare provider to assess symptoms, listen to the heart, and check for signs of other medical conditions.
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) detects arrhythmias by recording the heart’s electrical activity and measuring the heart’s rhythm and rate.
Holter monitor.
What are the treatment options available for arrhythmia?
Lifestyle changes:
Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake can help manage arrhythmias, as they can trigger irregular heartbeats.
Smoking needs to stop because nicotine makes arrhythmias worse.
Stress-reduction techniques, such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises, can help manage arrhythmia symptoms.
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight improves heart health and reduces the risk of arrhythmias.
Engaging in regular, moderate-intensity exercise can improve cardiovascular health and help manage arrhythmias.
Medication:
Antiarrhythmic drugs restore and maintain a normal heart rhythm. They are often prescribed for atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias.
Beta-blockers slow the heart rate and reduce the force of contraction, making them useful for managing tachycardia and certain arrhythmias.
Calcium channel blockers can help control heart rate and are often used for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.
Patients with AFib may be prescribed blood thinners (anticoagulants) to reduce the risk of heart stroke and blood clots.
Electrical cardioversion: In this procedure, an electric shock is delivered to the heart to restore its normal rhythm. It is frequently applied to treat atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation.
Catheter ablation: This invasive treatment entails inserting a catheter into the heart through a blood artery. The tissue causing the arrhythmia is then destroyed or scarred using radiofrequency radiation or freezing.
Pacemakers: Pacemakers are implanted medical devices that monitor the electrical activity of the heart and provide electrical impulses to keep the heartbeat regular.