Symptoms,Causes And Treatments Of Arrhythmia

What is Arrhythmia?

Introduction

The heart is the main actor in the body’s circulatory system, transporting essential blood to the entire body’s vital organs, muscles, and tissues. These organs—the heart—must be powerful muscles that beat in an organised rhythmic pace. But what happens when this particular muscle misses a beat? This is where heart arrhythmias step in—a medical condition that most people seemed to have heard of at least once in their lifetime but still do not grasp well. There are a variety of different types of heart arrhythmia, meaning that the heart can beat too fast, too slowly, or in a very uncoordinated way. There are innocent arrhythmias, but others could lead to potentially dangerous, sometimes fatal conditions. 

 In this article, you will learn all about heart arrhythmias, the specific symptoms that go hand in hand with them, the causes of these symptoms, and how to prevent them. 

A.What is heart arrhythmia? 

In layman terms, heart arrhythmia can also be referred to as a problem with the electrical system that controls the heartbeat. Usually the heart does so in a periodic manner; thus, it’s understood to be characterised by an average rate of about 60 to 100 beats per minute. When there’s an arrhythmia, the heart can:

Beat too fast: This is called tachycardia.
Beat too slow: This is called bradycardia.
Beat erratically: This can include other types of irregular rhythms. This can include other types of irregular rhythms. 

An arrhythmia can last for only a moment or persist over time, ranging from a minor inconvenience to a major medical concern.

B.How the Heart’s Electrical System Works

To fully appreciate what provokes an arrhythmia, it is important to have a brief understanding of how the heart’s electrical system works. The sinoatrial or sinus node found in the heart’s right atrium naturally produces electrical impulses. These impulses stimulate the heart and cause it to contract and pump blood. If there are unusual electrical impulses, a delay, or if the impulses are irregular, the heart develops an arrhythmia.

C.Different Categories of Heart Arrhythmia

There are several types of arrhythmias, each with its own characteristics:

1. Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most frequent types of abnormal heart rhythm conditions. It happens when the two upper chambers of the heart—the atria—contra and in an incoordinate way to the two lower chambers, or the ventricles. AFib can lead to blood clots, stroke, and heart failure.

2. Ventricular Tachycardia

This sort of arrhythmia starts in the heart’s ventricles, the lower chambers of the muscular organ. This includes tachycardia, which sometimes will be a dangerous heart rate that may result in the heart sending insufficient blood supply to the whole body.

3. Bradycardia

Bradycardia is when the heart rate is below 60 beats per minute. Even though every sportsman can possess a basal heart rate, bradycardia symptoms may indicate that the heart supplies the body with insufficient amounts of oxygen.

4. The others that we shall be discussing include supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

SVT comprises different subtypes of arrhythmias that arise from structures located above the ventricles of the heart. However, because the heart rate is high, patients can experience short, sudden, and irregular episodes of palpitations that may begin and end without any warning.

5. Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)

PVCs are premature ventricular complexes that start in the ventricles. Even though these additional rapid beats are frequently overlooked, they may be experienced as palpitations, a feeling of irregular heartbeat, or pounding on the chest.

6. This can be further divided into ventricular fibrillation (VFib).

Ventricular fibrillation is a fatal form of a heart rhythm disorder where the ventricles of the heart themselves twitch instead of pumping blood through a person’s body. This can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death if not treated right away, for example, through defibrillation.

7. Long QT Syndrome
This is a very rare condition in which the heart’s magnetic field takes more time than normal to regenerate between the beats that cause irregular and fast heartbeats, which often leads to fainting, seizures, or sudden death.

D.Symptoms of Heart Arrhythmia

Some types and focal heart arrhythmias do not produce any of the physical symptoms people link with the condition. Many patients have no idea about this disorder up to the time a physician finds it during a physical checkup. Just as concomitant signs are not present constantly, the symptoms may be mild or severe and depend on the type of arrhythmia or the severity of it. Here are the most common signs to watch out for:

1. Palpitations

Palpitations are the feeling of a heartbeat; a throb, thump, or racing heart feeling may come. They are one of the most frequent signs of arrhythmias and are generally not dangerous but should be treated if they persist.

2. Shortness of breath

Chest diffusion that occurs without much strain involves a situation where a person experiences episodes where they are unable to breathe normally. This can happen when you have some form of arrhythmia that decreases the heart’s energy output.

3. Dizziness or lightheadedness

If the heart is not pumping an adequate amount of blood to the brain, the person may feel lightheaded or faint. This is a significant sign occasioned by chest pain or short breath; commonly associated with myocardial infarction.

4. Chest Pain

Certain types of annhythmias can lead to shortness of breath and/or chest pain, particularly more serious ones such as ventricular fibrillation. Pain in the chest is never normal and may represent a heart attack or some severe heart conditions.

5. Fatigue

A change in heart rhythm means that blood circulation is only partial, and this can make you feel so tired, though you may have done minimal activities.

6. Fainting (Syncope)

If the heart is not able to pump enough blood towards the brain, the person faints. This is usually associated with more severe types of arrhythmia where the heart rate is either too slow (bradycardia) or fast (ventricular tachycardia).

7. Anxiety and Sweating

Palpitations can cause anxiety and, in other instances, sweating, especially when there is a fast or irregular heartbeat.

E.What Causes Heart Arrhythmia?

Accompanying the heart arrhythmias may be various disturbances of the cardiac rhythm, and often, it is impossible to determine their cause. Below are some of the key factors that can lead to arrhythmias:

1. Heart Disease

Arrhythmias are more common in individuals who suffer from other heart diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, or a previous heart attack. Diseased heart muscle tissue is also unarranged in a way that prevents efficient transmission of electrical impulses and rhythm disturbances.

2. High blood pressure

When high blood pressure is not well managed, then it alters the size of the heart; the walls of the heart become thick, and this affects the normal electrical conduction system of the heart.

3. Electrolyte Imbalance

The body requires a right proportion of special salts that include potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium to help regulate heartbeats. These electrolyte imbalances can alter the heart's electrical charges and thereby bring about arrhythmias.

4. Thyroid Problems

Hyper or hypothyroidism may also lead to arrhythmias since the thyroid gland controls the rate at which the heart beats. Thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism result in a fast heart rate, while hypothyroidism, which is a slow rate of thyroid function, slows the heart rate.

5. Alcohol and Stimulant Use

Alcohol intake, caffeine, smoking, and some illicit substances such as cocaine and amphetamines may cause arrhythmias. Specifically, binge drinking is related to atrial fibrillation, the so-called “holiday heart syndrome.”.

6. Stress and Anxiety

Stress, anxiety, and other intense feelings raise adrenaline levels, which may bring on an irregular heartbeat or worsen the condition of the heart.

7. Sleep Apnoea

A condition such as obstructive sleep apnoea characterised by the reduced or complete cessation of breathing during sleep is also related to arrhythmias; atrial fibrillation being among them. It gives the body a condition whereby the oxygen supply is sometimes deficient, and this may cause strain on the heart.

8. Genetic factors

Some types of arrhythmias occur due to a person’s genes and hence are hereditary. Diseases like Long QT syndrome are examples of genetic disorders that put the affected individual at risk of developing lethal cardiac rhythms.

9. Medications

Some drugs, like antihypertensives, asthma drugs, and those used to treat mental disorders, may cause arrhythmias as their side effects.

F.Diagnosis of Heart Arrhythmia

Any of the above symptoms is also advised to be reported to the doctor to be diagnosed with the correct ailment. There are numerous exams that can be administered to diagnose an arrhythmia and, if one is present, the type of the disease. These tests include:

1. Holter Monitoring or ambulatory ECG or EKG

An ECG captures the electrical signals from your heart and can even identify irregular pulses. Most of the time it takes a very short time, and the process does not require any surgery and can be done in a doctor's office or a hospital.

2. Holter Monitor

Holter monitor is a portable ECG that is used for 24-48 hours. Unlike the echocardiogram, it documents electrical atrial impulses over time and thus enables your doctor to detect sporadic arrhythmia.

3. Event Monitor

An event monitor is worn for a comparatively longer duration than a Holter monitor and is used to monitor your heart activity whenever a button is pressed during symptoms.

4. Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram involves using the ultrasound waves to provide images of your heart. This test can reveal structural problems that may be causing the problem that leads to the formation of arrhythmias.

5. Stress Test

A stress test is a test that measures your heart's function during physical exertion, as a result checking its ability to work under stress. This can be used to diagnose arrhythmias that develop during activity.

6. Electrophysiological Testing

In more complicated circumstances, electrophysiological testing involves passing catheters through the bloodstream to your heart to record its electrical signals and localise the aetiology of the arrhythmia.

G.Heart Arrhythmia Treatment

Treatment for the disease, which is arrhythmia, depends on the type, extent, and cause of the condition. It may be as simple as no treatment at all or more invasive measures such as drugs, alterations of the diet, and operations, respectively. Here are the most common treatment options:

1. Medications

These medications prevent and/or reduce irregular heartbeats, known as arrhythmias.
Beta-blockers control the rate and the rhythm of the heartbeat.
The calcium channel blockers can also decrease the rate of beats in some cases of arrhythmia.
An anticoagulant drug may be administered to minimise the formation of most blood clots and prevent stroke in individuals with atrial fibrillation.

2. Lifestyle Changes

Smoking and drinking alcohol and caffeine also should be minimised to avoid triggering the arrhythmias.
Yoga, meditation, and some deep breathing activities are among the best ways to cope with stress.
Follow the protected diet low in salt and containing less fats and cholesterol to increase cardiovascular health.

3. Medical Procedures

For more serious or persistent arrhythmias, medical procedures may be necessary:

Cardioversion is the process through which an electric shock is used to restore the proper electrical impulses.
Catheter ablation aims at the destruction of a small portion of tissue that causes the disturbance in the rhythm through radiofrequency energy.
Pacemakers are implanted devices that aid in ruling the slow rhythms of the heart.
ICD’s are devices that are implanted in the body, monitor the heartbeat rate, and administer electric shocks when needed for treating fatal tachyarrhythmia, including ventricular fibrillation.

I.Prevention of Heart Arrhythmia:

While not all arrhythmias are preventable, adopting certain lifestyle habits can significantly reduce your risk:

Regular Exercise: 

Exercise lightly to keep the heart fit and to maintain smooth circulation of blood in the body system.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: 

Overweight is a potential source of various CAD; arrhythmias are among them.

Limit Alcohol and Stimulants: 

Some common negative effects included drug or caffeine intake, both of which can cause an irregular heartbeat.

Control Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: 

They include: Proper management of these two can reduce tendencies of heart diseases and arrhythmias.

Manage Stress: 

Learn how to avoid causing stress to yourself, as it has severe effects on the health of your heart.

Conclusion

Atrial fibrillation is not an uncommon disorder and can be asymptomatic or severe enough to cause cardiopulmonary arrest. As with everything else, knowledge of the early signs and root causes of arrhythmia is vital to minimising its impact and safeguarding the heart. That is why whenever you feel any irregularity over your usual heart rates, palpitations, or any other symptom, you should consult with your doctor. Most patients with arrhythmia can go on to lead normal, active, and healthy lives if the condition is identified early, the necessary lifestyle changes are made, and suitable management is achieved. With good knowledge and practice on the heart's health, you will ensure that your heart continues to perform perfectly even after years of its performance.