Cardiac arrhythmias
Introduction
Cardiac arrhythmias, also known as heart rhythm disorders, are conditions that cause changes in the normal heartbeat. These conditions can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. This irregularity can be due to a disruption in the electrical impulses that coordinate the heartbeats. There are several types of cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia read more.
Types of Cardiac Arrhythmias
There are several types of cardiac arrhythmias, each with its own set of symptoms and potential complications. These include:
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. It occurs when the two upper chambers of the heart, the atria, beat irregularly and out of sync with the two lower chambers, the ventricles read more. This can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.
Atrial Flutter
Atrial flutter is similar to atrial fibrillation, but the rhythm in your atria is more organized and less chaotic than the abnormal patterns caused by atrial fibrillation. However, people with atrial flutter usually have atrial fibrillation as well.
Ventricular Fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia that occurs when the heart beats with rapid, erratic electrical impulses. This causes the ventricles to quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood. Without an effective heartbeat, blood pressure plummets, cutting off blood supply to vital organs.
Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia is a rapid heart rate that originates with abnormal electrical signals in the lower chambers of the heart. The rapid heart rate doesn't allow the ventricles to fill and contract efficiently to pump enough blood to the body.
Causes
Cardiac arrhythmias can be caused by a variety of factors, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and excessive use of alcohol or caffeine. Other potential causes include certain medications, drug abuse, stress, and smoking read more. In some cases, the cause of a cardiac arrhythmia can't be identified.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias can vary depending on the type and severity of the arrhythmia. Some people with cardiac arrhythmias may not experience any symptoms. However, common symptoms can include a fluttering in the chest, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and fainting.
Diagnosis
Cardiac arrhythmias are diagnosed using a variety of tests. These may include an electrocardiogram (ECG), a Holter monitor, an event monitor, and an echocardiogram. In some cases, a stress test, tilt table test, electrophysiology study, or cardiac catheterization may be used to diagnose a cardiac arrhythmia read more.
Treatment
Treatment for cardiac arrhythmias can vary depending on the type and severity of the arrhythmia. Some arrhythmias may require no treatment at all, while others may require medications, lifestyle changes, or even surgery. In some cases, a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be needed.
Prevention
While not all cardiac arrhythmias can be prevented, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk. These include eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol and caffeine intake.