Cardiac arrhythmia occurs when there is an abnormality in the rhythm of the heartbeat.

“This means the heart beats too fast, a condition known as tachycardia. Or too slowly, also known as bradycardia. Or irregularly,” said Dr. Dr. Martha Gulati, president of the American Society of Preventive Cardiology, told Healthline.

“Think of your heart as having an electrical system that acts as a timing mechanism that tells it when to pump and how fast to pump,” says Dr. Kevin Thomas, an electrophysiologist at the Heart Rhythm Center at Norton Heart and Vascular Institute. said.

“Arrhythmia occurs when electrical systems operate abnormally,” he told Healthline.

Arrhythmia can affect people of all ages and can be caused by genetics, pre-existing heart disease, and lifestyle habits such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and stress.

“The significance of an arrhythmia depends on what type of abnormal rhythm is occurring. Some are serious and potentially life-threatening if untreated, while others are nothing to worry about or be dangerous.” said Mr. Thomas.

The most common types of arrhythmia are: atrial fibrillationalso known as AFib.

“AFib causes an irregular and often rapid heart rate, which can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications,” Gulati said.

According to one study, the lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation is 1 in 4 for all men and women over the age of 40. study was announced on Circulationa journal by the American Heart Association (AHA).

Different types of arrhythmia can cause different symptoms, but Thomas says the most common symptoms of arrhythmia are:

extra beat

“However, some arrhythmias are ‘silent’ and may have no symptoms at all,” he says.

When an arrhythmia (including atrial fibrillation) persists long enough to affect heart function, ah It has been reported that serious symptoms may occur, including:

• fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting or near-fainting spells
• Increased heart rate or chest pounding
• shortness of breath and anxiety
• Chest pain or pressure
• Alternating fast and slow heart rates
• sweating
• In extreme cases, collapse or sudden cardiac arrest may occur.

One of the challenges with arrhythmia symptoms is that they come and go, Gulati says.

“Patients may experience heart symptoms, then make an appointment or come to the hospital, and by the time they talk to their doctor, their symptoms have subsided,” she says.

When the symptoms a patient was experiencing no longer appear, it can be difficult for doctors to treat and can be frightening for patients who want to understand what’s going on.

“One intervention that can help break this cycle is the use of medical-grade personal digital health tools, which give patients access to accurate, real-time cardiac data anytime, anywhere.” said Gulati.

She partnered with AliveCor, which offers KardiaMobile, a personal electrocardiogram (ECG) device that allows people to digitally share their findings with doctors.

Palpitations are abnormalities in the perceived (felt) heartbeat characterized by the sensation of fast, irregular, or skipped heartbeats felt in the chest, throat, or neck.

“These can be temporary and short-lived, lasting only a few seconds, or they can last for hours to days,” Thomas said.

Heart palpitations can be caused by stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, and stimulants such as caffeine.

“That said, palpitations in and of themselves are not necessarily alarming,” Gulati says. “However, if you experience heart palpitations accompanied by chest pain, fainting, or severe dizziness, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.”

There are various causes of cardiac arrhythmia.

“Some are caused by abnormal or excessive electrical pathways that the patient was born with, while others are caused by damage to the heart and its electrical system as a result of a previous heart attack or heart surgery.” said Dr. Thomas.

In some cases, arrhythmias can be caused by increased adrenaline levels, which can occur during infections, surgeries, or other illnesses, he added.

Aging may also play a role, as people’s minds change as they grow older.

“While these age-related changes are natural, they can affect how our hearts work and how electrical impulses flow through our cardiovascular system,” Gulati says.

Additionally, some arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, become more common as we age and can be affected by other conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and obesity, Thomas said. explained.

Lifestyle choices can impact overall health, but managing aging and congenital or genetic factors often requires a multifaceted and personal approach, Gulati says. I added.

“The more proactive you are about your heart health, the better your results will be. Regular exams and monitoring can help identify and manage these factors,” she said.

Although most arrhythmias are not considered dangerous and are often left untreated, your doctor must determine whether the arrhythmia is a cause for concern and requires treatment.

“When it comes to arrhythmias, early detection and early intervention can have a significant impact on long-term prognosis and reduce the risk of complications such as stroke and heart failure,” Gulati said.

of ah It states that the goals of treatment are:

• Prevents the formation of blood clots and reduces the risk of stroke, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation.
• Keep your heart rate within a relatively normal range.
• Restore normal heart rhythm if possible.
• Heart disease or treatment for heart conditions that can cause arrhythmias.
• Reduce other risk factors for heart disease and stroke Coronary artery disease.

Treatment for arrhythmia depends on what type of abnormal heart rhythm is occurring. Thomas explained in detail what treatment is required for each type of arrhythmia.

• pacemaker It is often needed if your heart is beating abnormally slowly.
• medicine Designed to suppress abnormal heartbeat/rhythm
• cardiac ablationminimally invasive surgery can help if your heart beats too fast or irregularly.
• Non-pharmacological interventions Also, lifestyle modifications such as losing weight, managing blood pressure, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising, avoiding tobacco smoke and vaping, and treating sleep apnea can help manage arrhythmias. Masu.
• defibrillator Implantation may be necessary if a dangerous or life-threatening arrhythmia is occurring.