HEART RHYTHM DISORDERS

HEART RHYTHM DISORDER

Overview and Facts

Heart rhythm disorder, also known as arrhythmia, is a problem that affects the heart rate. With a heart rhythm disorder, the heart tends to beat irregularly, too fast or tachycardia, or too slow or bradycardia. The amount of blood pumped by the heart may be affected by these heart problems.

Types and Symptoms

TYPES

  • Atrial fibrillation. It is the most widely recognized heart rhythm disorder. Atrial fibrillation may occur for seconds or for a long time. The condition is more common in the elderly and can have a wide range of causes.
  • Ventricular fibrillation. This is the most life-threatening. In this condition, the heart’s ventricles lose the capacity to contract, stopping blood from passing to the body and brain. It quickly prompts loss of consciousness and death, and the necessary use of defibrillators to restart the heartbeat.

SYMPTOMS 

The following are the symptoms of a heart rhythm disorder:

  • Fainting
  • Chest pain
  • Heart palpitations
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Commonly used tests for diagnosing heart rhythm disorder include:

  • Event monitor
  • Holter monitor
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Stress (exercise) testing
  • Electrophysiology studies

TREATMENT

Drug Treatment. Numerous medications are there for decreasing the existence of heart rhythm disorder or managing symptoms. These medications are used for:

  • Slowing the heartbeat (beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers) 
  • Keeping the heartbeat normal (antiarrhythmic drugs) 
  • Help stop blood clumps (blood thinners, for example, warfarin)

Implantable Devices. To make the heart function better, some persons with heart rhythm disorders will require implantable devices such as:

  • Pacemaker. A tiny instrument inserted above the heart.
  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. It is similar to a pacemaker but can transport an electrical shock to bring back a normal heartbeat when required. 

Radio-frequency ablation. This method is performed utilizing a catheter that is threaded through a vein to the heart. An electrode is embedded through the catheter and used to warm and tear down a small area of tissue. This can impede abnormal electrical flagging pathways in the heart.

Lifestyle Changes. Lifestyle changes can help directly lessen the signs of heart disorder, such as:

  • Minimizing stress
  • Stopping smoking
  • Increasing physical fitness
  • Maintaining a normal weight
  • Weight loss if obese
  • Limiting caffeine
  • Limiting alcohol 
  • Limiting take of OTC medications that contain stimulants

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