So in this article of My Health Only, we are going to tell you about the arrhythmia disease, by knowing arrhythmia, you will be able to treat it as soon as possible.
Irregular heartbeat (heart arrhythmia) –
What is arrhythmia?
Table of Contents
Irregular heartbeat is called ‘heart arrhythmia’ or ‘arrhythmia’. This does not mean that your heart is beating too fast or too slowly. Rather, it means that the heartbeat is not moving from its normal rhythm.
It may look as if your heartbeat is decreasing or increasing or moving too fast (what doctors call ‘tachycardia’) or at a very slow pace (called ‘bradycardia’). Since some arrhythmia are silent, it may be that your attention is not paid to it.
The most common type of cardiac arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation.
Arrhythmia occur when electrical signals that coordinate the heartbeat are not functioning properly. For example, some people experience an irregular heartbeat, which can cause the heart to feel increasingly beating or fluttering.
Many types of cardiac arrhythmia are harmless. However, if the beats are particularly abnormal, or are the result of a weakened or damaged heart, arrhythmia can produce severe and potentially fatal symptoms.
Treatment of cardiac arrhythmia is often controlled by fast, slow or irregular heartbeat. Apart from this, you can reduce the risk of arrhythmia by adopting a lifestyle that keeps the heart healthy. Because of a weak or damaged heart, the condition of heart arrhythmia becomes severe.
Incidence and prevalence of arrhythmia:
The overall prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the general population is estimated to be 0.4% to 1%. The incidence of AF in the population under the age of forty is 0.1% per year and increases to 2% in the over 80 age group. Both the occurrence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation increase rapidly with aging. The adjusted incidence and prevalence of AF nearly doubles for each subsequent decade of life and the prevalence of AF is 50% higher in men than women at any age.
Types of arrhythmia –
Types of arrhythmia include the following: –
1- Premature atrial contractions – These are the initial extra beats, originating from the atria (upper chambers of the heart). They are harmless and do not require treatment.
2- Premature ventricular contractions – These are most common in cardiac arrhythmia and are found in both people suffering from heart diseases or those who do not have heart disease. It is an intermittent heartbeat that we all experience occasionally.
3- Atrial fibrillation – Atrial fibrillation is a very common and irregular cardiac arrhythmia that abnormally shrinks the upper chambers of the heart (Atria).
4- Atrial flutter – This is a type of arrhythmia caused by one or more acute circuits in the atrium. Atrial flutter is usually more organized and regular than atrial fibrillation. Thus arrhythmia occur mostly in people with heart disease and in the first week after heart surgery. Which often results in atrial fibrillation.
5- Ventricular tachycardia (V-tac) – This is an acute heart rhythm arising from the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). A rapid heart rate prevents enough blood to accumulate in the heart, so the heart is able to pump small amounts of blood into the body. It can be a serious arrhythmia, especially in people with heart disease who have more symptoms. A cardiologist should evaluate this arrhythmia.
6- Ventricular fibrilation – These are irregular and unplanned convulsions originating from the ventricles (ventricles). The ventricles have vibrations and are unable to pump blood to the body.
7- Long QT syndrome – A QT interval is a location on an electrocardiogram (ECG) that displays the time it takes for the heart muscle to shrink and then recover or turn into an impulse of electrical impulses and then recharge. Does. When the QT interval is longer than normal, it increases the risk for torsades de points (a gradual change in the curvature and amplitude of the QRS complex around the isoelectric line), a dangerous form of ventricular tachycardia.
8- Bradyarrhythmia – This is a slow heart rhythm, which can cause disease in the electrical conduction system of the heart.
9- Sinus node dysfunction – This is a slow heart rate caused by an abnormal SA (sinus) node.
10- Heart block – electrical impulses are delayed or completely blocked when they move from the sinus node to the ventricles. The level of this inhibition or delay may be in the AV node or HIS-Purkinje system. In this condition the heart may be beating irregularly and often more slowly.
11- Paraxism supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) – This is an acute heart rate, usually arising from the ventricle of the ventricle with a regular rhythm. The onset and end of PSVT is sudden. It has two main types – accessory tract tachycardia and AV nodal reentrant tachycardia.
- Accessory pathway tachycardias – Acute heart rate arises due to additional abnormal path or connection between atria and ventricles. The impulses travel via additional routes as well as normal routes. This allows impulses to travel around the heart much faster, causing the heart to beat abnormally fast.
- AV Nodal re-entrant tachycardia – This is a rapid heart rate that occurs through the AV node and is caused by more than one passage. It can be caused by heart palpitations, fainting or heart failure. In many cases it can be eliminated by using a simple device, such as overcoming breathing. Other tips related to this are used by a trained medical professional. Some medicines can also stop rapid heart rate.
Symptoms of Arrhythmia –
What are the symptoms of arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia can be silent and does not cause any symptoms. Physicians can detect irregular heartbeat by examining your pulse during a physical examination or via an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Symptoms of arrhythmia may include the following: –
- Heart Palpitations (Heartbeat intermittent, fluttering or feeling up or down, or the feeling of your heart beating fast)
- Pounding in your chest
- Dizziness
- Syncope
- Short breath
- Chest discomfort
- Weakness or fatigue
Causes and Risk Factors of Arrhythmia –
What are the causes of cardiac arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia can occur due to several reasons, including the following: –
- Immediate heart attack
- Damage to heart tissue in the past due to heart attack.
- Changes in your heart’s structure, such as due to cardiomyopathy
- Blocking of your heart’s arteries.
- High blood pressure
- Thyroid gland hyperactivity (hyperthyroidism).
- Abnormally inactivated thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
- Smoking
- Excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine
- Misuse of medicines
- Stress
- Some medicines and supplements, including over-the-counter (without a prescription) colds and allergies, and nutritional supplements.
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Genetics etc.
What are the risk factors of arrhythmia?
Certain factors may increase your risk of developing ‘arrhythmia’. These include the following –
1- Coronary artery disease (other heart problems and previous heart surgery) – narrow arteries of the heart, heart attack, abnormal heart valve, pre-cardiac surgery, heart failure, cardiomyopathy and other heart damage almost any type of arrhythmia There are risk factors for.
2- Hypertension – It increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease. This can make the walls of your left ventricle stiff and thick, causing changes in the electrical impulses that pass through your heart.
3- Congenital Heart Disease – Being born with an abnormal heart can affect your heartbeat.
4- Thyroid problem – An overactive or under-active thyroid gland may increase the risk of arrhythmia.
5- Drugs and supplements – Some cough and cold medicines found at medical stores and some prescription drugs can contribute to the development of ‘arrhythmia’.
6- Sugar disease (diabetes) – Uncontrolled diabetes greatly increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease and hypertension.
7- Obstructive sleep apnea – This disorder that disrupts your breathing during sleep can increase the risk of bradycardia, atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmia.
8- Electrolyte imbalance – The substances in your blood are called ‘electrolytes’, such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. These help to activate and conduct electrical impulses in your heart. High or very low levels of electrolyte can affect the electrical impulses of your heart and contribute to the development of arrhythmia.
9- Excessive alcohol consumption – Drinking too much alcohol can affect the electrical impulses in your heart and increase the chances of developing atrial fibrillation.
10- Caffeine or nicotine use – Caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants can increase your heartbeat and contribute to the development of extremely severe arrhythmia. Illegal drugs such as amphetamine and cocaine can have serious effects on the heart and may exacerbate many types of arrhythmia or lead to sudden death due to ventricular fibrillation.
Prevention of Arrhythmia –
How to prevent cardiac arrhythmia?
It is very important to adopt a lifestyle that keeps the heart healthy to prevent irregular heartbeat, so that the risk of heart disease can be reduced. Heart-healthy lifestyles can include –
- Eating healthy food.
- Increase your physical activity.
- Avoid smoking.
- Keeping your weight balanced.
- Do not consume caffeine and alcohol in limited or at all.
- Take measures to reduce stress. Excessive stress and anger can cause heart arrhythmia.
- Use over-the-counter medications with caution, as some cold and cough medications contain stimulants, which can speed up the heartbeat.
Diagnosis of arrhythmia –
How is cardiac arrhythmia tested?
The doctor will review your symptoms and your medical history and conduct physical examination to check for irregular heartbeat. Your doctor may ask you about this or test for conditions that may aggravate your heart arrhythmia, such as heart disease or thyroid gland problems. Doctors may perform heart monitoring tests specifically for cardiac arrhythmia, which may include the following: –
1- Electrocardiogram (ECG) – The sensors (electrodes) that detect the electrical activity of your heart during the ECG are attached to your chest and sometimes to the extremities. The ECG measures the time and duration of each electrical phase in your heartbeat.
2- Holter Monitor – This portable ECG device can be worn for a day or more, so that you can know about your heart activity during your daily activities.
3- Event Monitor – For sporadic arrhythmia you can keep this portable ECG device and when you see symptoms of arrhythmia, attach it to your body and press a button. Through this, the doctor can check your heart rhythm at the time of symptoms.
4- Echocardiogram – In this test, a hand held device (transducer) is placed on your chest. It uses sound waves to produce images of your heart’s shape, structure, and motion.
5- Implantable loop recorder – This device detects abnormal heart rhythms and is implanted under the skin of the chest.
If your doctor does not find any information on arrhythmia during these tests, they may try to increase your arrhythmia with other tests. These tests may include –
1- Stress test – Exercise causes some arrhythmia to become active or become very severe. During a stress test when your heart activity will be monitored, you will be asked to exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. If doctors are evaluating to determine whether coronary artery disease can cause arrhythmia and you have difficulty exercising, they may use a medication that can stimulate your heart equally Is as much as exercising.
2- Tilt Table Test – Your doctor may recommend this test if you are in an unconscious state. You are laid directly on a table and your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored. The table is then bent as if you are standing. During this time, your doctor inspects how your heart and nervous system are responding to changes in the angle of the table and how it is being controlled.
3- Electrophysiological testing and mapping – In this test, doctors insert thin and flexible tubes (catheters) with electrodes through blood vessels in different parts of your heart. Once in place, the electrodes can generate data for the propagation of electrical impulses through your heart.
Treatment of arrhythmia –
What is the method of treatment of arrhythmia?
Treatment for cardiac arrhythmia is required only if the patient is at risk of more severe arrhythmia or complications or if the symptoms are very severe.
- Treatment of bradycardia:
If bradycardia is caused by an underlying condition, then that condition needs to be treated first. If there is no underlying problem, doctors may recommend a pacemaker transplant. A pacemaker is a small device that helps control abnormal heart rhythms. It is applied under the skin of the chest or abdomen. Pacemakers use electrical pulses so that the heart immediately starts beating at a normal minimum rate.
- Treatment of Tecicardia:
- Vagal maneuvers – Some activities performed by the patient themselves can prevent some types of arrhythmia, which start above the lower half of the heart.
- Medications – Medications will not cure the patient, but are usually effective in reducing episodes of tachycardia and may help in proper electrical conduction of the heart.
- Cardioversion – Doctors may use electric shock or medication to re-prepare your heart to beat with a regular rhythm.
- Ablation therapy – One or more catheters pass from the blood vessels to the inner heart. They are placed in those parts of the heart that are considered to be the source of arrhythmia. These catheters destroy small sections of those tissues.
- ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) – This device is implanted near the left collarbone, which monitors the heart rhythm. If it detects an abnormally fast rhythm, it stimulates the heart to return to normal rhythm.
- Maze procedure – A series of surgical incisions are made in the heart. After this, the scars are left and they form blocks. These sections guide the electrical impulses, which help the heart to beat efficiently.
- Ventricular aneurysm surgery – Sometimes aneurysm (bulge) present in the blood vessel and leading to the heart causes arrhythmia. If other treatments do not work, surgeons may remove the aneurysm.
- Coronary Bypass Surgery – Bypass surgery involves arteries or veins from other parts of the patient’s body connected to the coronary arteries. Bypass surgery is performed in the narrow part of the heart, thereby improving the blood supply to the heart muscle (myocardium).
Complications of arrhythmia –
What complications can occur from arrhythmia?
- Stroke – Fibrillation (vibration) means that the heart is not pumping properly. Due to this, blood can collect at one place and clots can form. If a clot is removed, it can travel to the artery of the brain, blocking it and causing a stroke. Stroke can cause brain damage and can sometimes be fatal.
- Heart failure – Due to chronic tachycardia or bradycardia, the heart does not pump enough blood to the body and its organs. This is called heart failure. Treatment can help improve it.
Dieting in arrhythmia –
What should be avoided in case of arrhythmia?
1- Do not eat too much salt – Salt can be used in countless recipes, but it is not a good thing to consume too much salt. Salt raises your blood pressure and increases the likelihood of atrial fibrillation symptoms in high blood pressure.
2- Avoid food and beverages that increase arrhythmia – eating and drinking certain foods can increase your arrhythmia. Keep in mind which substances have an effect on your arrhythmia and how to avoid them. In general, eating a small amount of food will not increase arrhythmia, but an overdose of some foods can stimulate your heart and cause arrhythmia or make it worse. Be aware of the foods listed below, as they can increase your arrhythmia. Also it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about your diet.
3- Alcohol – Alcohol can cause arrhythmia in people with a normal heart and can cause a heart condition that results in arrhythmia. People who drink too much alcohol may have a weak heart (alcoholic cardiomyopathy). When this happens, they may have a variety of arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia. If the person quits drinking, the heart may return to normal and the risk of recurrent arrhythmia will decrease. Alcohol can damage the heart cells and increase heartbeat and supraventricular tachycardias. Atrial fibrillation can occur after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
4- Fad diets – If you suffer from arrhythmia, many weight loss diets can be harmful to your heart. Fad diets, such as regular intake of liquid-based high protein, can affect electrolyte concentrations in your blood. This in turn can cause problems in your heart’s electrical system, which depend on the electrolyte to function smoothly. If you have experienced arrhythmia in the past, then you should avoid a fat diet. To avoid a recurrence of arrhythmia, always consult a physician before making major changes in your eating habits.
What to eat in arrhythmia?
- Walnuts – Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 and linolenic acid.
- Fatty fish – Omega-3 fatty acids are found in abundance in fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are helpful in stabilizing cardiac arrhythmia.
- Brown Rice – These are rich sources of magnesium. Magnesium is very important in keeping the heart healthy.
- Linseed seeds – This is the best and natural source of keeping the heart healthy.
Irregular heartbeat (heart arrhythmia) medicine –
- ADEL 33 Apo-Oedem Drop
- Akutim
- Alocaine
- Alp Plus
- Bromostar t
- Cardimol plus
- Lcaine
- Nircaine
- Ocupres
- Pronate F
- Rexidin M Forte Gel
- SBL Dibonil Drops
- Schwabe Crataegus oxyacantha CH
- Unicain
- Vasopten
- Wocaine a
- Xylo
- Xylocaine heavy
- Xylocaine Injection
- Xylocard
- Xylonumb
- Xylox
- Xynova
- Xyprost TM
OTC medication for irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia) –
There are many medications available for irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia). All these medicines are given below. But keep in mind that you should not take any medicines without consulting your doctor. Taking medicines without a doctor’s advice can seriously damage your health.
- Baidyanath Makardhwaja Tablets
- Dabur Chintamani Ras
- Dhootapapeshwar Bruhat Vata Chintamani Rasa
- Dhootapapeshwar Hrudroga Chintamani Rasa
- Dhootapapeshwar Suvarnamakshik Bhasma
- Divya Hridyamrit Vati
- Kudos Heart Care Kit
- Patanjali Divya Kaharava Pishti
- Patanjali Divya Laxmivilas Ras
