Understanding Arrhythmias - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment

The literal meaning of the term ‘Arrhythmia’ is something out of rhythm. So, arrhythmias are also called ‘heart rhythm abnormality’. Our heart is an organ that beats continuously right from our b to the time of death in a rhythmic manner and pumps blood to fulfil the body’s demands. The beating of the heart varies in synchronisation with our breathing and normal conditions, it beats anywhere between 60-100 beats per minute. Anything below 60 or above 100 is an indication that the heart is not functioning normally.  When the beating of the heart is too slow, the condition is called bradyarrhythmia and if the beating of the heart is too rapid the condition is called tachyarrhythmia.

Arrhythmias can be due to a simple cause such as an extra heartbeat or they can be due to some underlying serious cause that can be life-threatening. Simple arrhythmias can be harmless or benign arrhythmias. Also, arrhythmias can either be asymptomatic or symptomatic. Asymptomatic arrhythmias are benign most of the time, the symptomatic arrhythmias may cause complications and lead to life-threatening conditions such as stroke, heart attack or cardiac arrest.

In symptomatic arrhythmias, patients may present with complaints of palpitations (a condition where a person becomes consciously aware of their heartbeat), dizziness, giddiness or loss of consciousness, discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, and episodes of fainting. Serious irregularity of the heart (conditions with very fast or rapid heartbeats) reduces the cardiac output and may lead to syncope, loss of consciousness, or even death.

Causes of Arrhythmias

According to the top interventional cardiologist in Mysore, Arrhythmias are caused due to several conditions including both cardiac conditions and non-cardiac conditions. The cardiac conditions usually include:

• Heart vessel blockages, also called coronary artery diseases

• structural defects in the heart (valve defects)

• issues with the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)

The non-cardiac conditions causing arrhythmias include:

• Electrolyte imbalance in the body

• certain medications

• Excessive caffeine or high-energy stimulant drink intake

• excessive alcohol consumption.

Arrhythmias may be seen in people of any gender and across all age groups. However, males are more commonly affected in comparison with females, as the male sex hormone testosterone triggers a faster heart rate whereas the female sex hormone estrogen is a ‘heart-protective hormone’. Individuals with progressive age irrespective of gender (aged sixty and above) are at higher risk of developing arrhythmias. Also, the presence of other comorbidities such as long-standing or uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension particularly increases the risk of arrhythmias.

Diagnosis for Arrhythmias

There are various ways to diagnose arrhythmia with ECG being the simplest way. ECG helps to identify an arrhythmia. The human heart has four chambers, two upper and two lower, usually, arrhythmias of the upper chambers are benign. However, arrhythmias of the lower chambers of the heart need specific evaluation as they may not always be benign and simple ECG may not be adequate.  If an arrhythmia is detected during ECG, it is important to consult a cardiologist.

The cardiologist may advise wearable devices to monitor cardiac activity or heart rhythm, the most familiar wearable device being watches. Alternatively, you may also be advised a 24-hour Holter Monitor test. The Holter Monitor is a small device attached to your chest to keep recording your heart activity while you are resuming your routine daily activities. The cardiologist will then assess the heart activity at the end of 24 hours and quantify the risk. There are also more advanced devices that help determine heart activity for as long as 30 days or longer if required. Your cardiologist might also suggest other tests including echocardiogram, cardiac MRI or stress test.

Treatment for Arrhythmias

At the best heart hospital in Mysore, treatment of heart rhythm abnormalities is determined based on the type of abnormality, the nature of the arrhythmia and the diagnosis. The main focus of arrhythmia treatment is to control the heart rate and this can be achieved with various drugs or devices. Failure to control the heart rate may lead to severe complications such as stroke and sudden cardiac arrest that can be catastrophic. Additionally, after a detailed medical and medication history, you may be asked to stop medications that may have triggered arrhythmias (particularly tachyarrhythmia). Along with this continuing proper treatment to control hypertension and diabetes is crucial.  Hypertension is identified as the single most common cause of heart rhythm disorders. In cases with arrhythmias due to heart vessel blockages, pacemakers and blood thinning medications may also be prescribed to prevent stroke.

Arrhythmias are heart conditions with abnormal heart rhythms. They may be symptomatic or asymptomatic, benign or life-threatening. People of all genders and ages can have arrhythmias but the elderly are at higher risk. It is always recommended to consult a cardiologist in case there is a noticeable sudden change in the heartbeat pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do Arrhythmias feel like?

Arrhythmias may present with any of the following symptoms

• Palpitation or racing heart

• Slow pulse

• Dizziness

• Shortness of breath

• Pain or discomfort in the chest

• Loss of consciousness.

2. How are Arrhythmias Evaluated?

• ECG

• Echo-cardiography

• Holter monitor

• Cardiac MRI

• Stress test

• Implantable devices for long-term monitoring.

3. How to Prevent Arrhythmias?

• Keeping hypertension and diabetes under control

• Following the treatment correctly

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, physical, and mental wellbeing

• Avoid foods with high salt content and trans/unsaturated fats.