Definition
The term “Heart Arrhythmia” refers to any issue with a person’s heartbeat rhythm or pace. An arrhythmia causes an irregular heartbeat via electric signals that are either too rapid, too slow, or chaotic.
Overview
An irregular heartbeat is referred to as a heart arrhythmia (uh-RITH-me-uh). When the electrical signals that control how often the heart beats are coordinated improperly, heart rhythm issues (heart arrhythmias) result. The heart beats excessively quickly (tachycardia), too slowly (bradycardia), or irregularly as a result of poor signaling.
Heart arrhythmias, which may be completely safe, sometimes feel like your heart is speeding or fluttering. However, occasionally having a fast or sluggish heart rate is natural. For instance, the heart rate may rise during physical activity or fall during sleep. Medication, catheter treatments, medical implants, or surgery may all be used as heart arrhythmia treatments to slow, stop, or regulate irregular heartbeats. Maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle can help stop the heart damage that can lead to some heart arrhythmias.
Types of Heart arrhythmia
There are many types of heart arrhythmia, and each type has its own symptoms, causes, and treatments. The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which affects the upper chamber of the heart. Atrial fibrillation can cause a number of symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain. VT and SVT can both cause a rapid heartbeat and chest pain and may require electrical cardioversion to restore normal heart rhythm. The two major types of heart arrhythmia are mentioned below
Slow Heartbeat (Bradycardia)
When your heart beats too slowly, it is called bradycardia. Your heart may beat as slowly as 40 times per minute and still be considered normal. However, if you have bradycardia, your heart may beat as slowly as 20 times per minute. This can cause your heart to not pump enough blood to the rest of your body and may make you feel faint or dizzy.
There are many possible causes of bradycardia, including:
- Taking certain medications, such as beta-blockers or heart rhythm medications
- Having a low thyroid level (hypothyroidism)
- Having an infection
- Being pregnant
- Having congestive heart failure
- Experiencing a heart attack
- Suffering from an electrolyte imbalance
Most people with bradycardia do not experience any symptoms and the condition is found during a routine physical exam or electrocardiogram (EKG). However, some people with bradycardia may feel fatigued, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or chest pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Bradycardia can usually be treated by adjusting your medications or by installing a pacemaker. A pacemaker is a small device that helps regulate your heartbeat. It is implanted under the skin in your chest and sends electrical impulses to your heart to help it maintain a normal rhythm. For more severe cases of bradycard
Major types of bradycardia include:
1) Conduction Block
The electrical impulses that start heartbeats can slow down or halt if the heart’s electrical pathways are clogged. While some blocks may not exhibit any signs at all, others could result in delayed beats or bradycardia.
2) Sick Sinus Syndrome
The sinus node controls how quickly the heart beats. The heart rate may fluctuate between being too slow (bradycardia) and being too fast if it isn’t functioning properly (tachycardia). Scarring in the vicinity of the sinus node, which slows, obstructs, or blocks the passage of impulses, can result in sick sinus syndrome. The most prevalent age group for sick sinus syndrome is older individuals.
Fast Heartbeat (Tachycardia)
If you have tachycardia, you may feel like your heart is racing or pounding. You may also feel short of breath, lightheaded, or dizzy. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor. They will likely do a physical exam and order some tests to rule out any serious underlying conditions. Treatments for tachycardia include lifestyle changes, medication, and in some cases, surgery.
Major types of tachycardia include:
1) Supraventricular Tachycardia
Arrhythmias that begin above the lower heart chambers are referred to as supraventricular tachycardia (ventricles). Palpitations, or bouts of a hammering heartbeat, are brought on by ventricular tachycardia and start and stop suddenly.
2) Ventricular Tibrillation
This kind of arrhythmia happens when the lower heart chambers (ventricles) tremble instead of connecting in a synchronized approach that pumps blood to the rest of the body. It is brought on by rapid, erratic electrical signals. If a regular heartbeat isn’t reestablished within a few minutes, this significant issue could result in death. The majority of persons with ventricular fibrillation had catastrophic trauma or chronic heart disease.
3) Ventricular Tachycardia
Signals are transmitted from the lower heart chambers that are malfunctioning causing this rapid, regular heartbeat to begin (ventricles). The ventricles can’t properly fill with blood due to the fast heartbeat. The heart is unable to pump adequate blood to the body as a result. In persons with a healthy heart, ventricular tachycardia might not seriously harm them.
4) Atrial Flutter
Similar to A-fib, atrial flutter seems to have more regular heartbeats. Stroke risk is also increased by atrial flutter.
5) Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib)
Rapid, erratic heart rate is a result of chaotic heart signals. Although the disease could be transient, untreated A-fib episodes sometimes do not end. Serious complications including stroke are linked to it.
Premature Heartbeats
Premature heartbeats are additional heartbeats that happen one at a time, occasionally in sequences that change with the regular heartbeat. Premature atrial movements or the bottom chamber of the heart may be the source of the extra heartbeats (premature ventricular contractions).
Your heart may feel as though it skipped a beat if it beats prematurely. These extra heartbeats are typically unimportant and infrequently indicate a much more serious disease. Even yet, a premature beat can result in persistent arrhythmia, particularly in those who have heart problems. A weak heart can occasionally result from highly frequent premature beats that endure for years.
While at rest, premature heartbeats can happen. Stress, intense activity, or stimulants like caffeine or nicotine can occasionally trigger rapid heartbeats.
What Are The Symptoms Of Heart Arrhythmia
The symptoms of heart arrhythmia can vary depending on the underlying cause. In some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. In other cases, symptoms may include palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor so that they can determine the cause and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Symptoms of heart arrhythmia can include:
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- A slow heartbeat (bradycardia)
- A fluttering in the chest
- Fainting (syncope) or near fainting
- A racing heartbeat (tachycardia)
Heart Arrhythmia Treatments
Treatment for heart arrhythmia will depend on the underlying cause. In some cases, no treatment is necessary. For example, if stress is the only trigger for your arrhythmia, then managing your stress levels may be all that’s needed to keep your heartbeat regular. Heart arrhythmia is a common condition, and it can occur in people of all ages.
When To See A Doctor
Most people with heart arrhythmia don’t have any symptoms. However, some people may experience palpitations (a sensation of the heart racing or skipping a beat), shortness of breath, chest pain, or dizziness. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a heart doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, or immediately contact the nearest Primary care clinic. In some cases, heart arrhythmia may be caused by medications or other treatments, such as surgery.
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