8 main issues of arrhythmia
Health / / December 19, 2019
Igor Mayorov
Cardiovascular surgeon of the highest qualification category, head Department of surgical treatment of arrhythmias and pacing number 55 GKB them. Botkin.
What is an arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia - it changes the normal frequency, regularity and heart excitation source. Furthermore, arrhythmias also include disorders of impulse conduction.
Heart palpitations - is an arrhythmia?
Not any heart palpitations can be attributed to arrhythmia. Increase of heart rate (HR) is possible and normal. For example, the heart starts to beat faster when emotional or physical stress, this feeling is familiar to everyone: the tide of love, stress or frightened, running stairs or swimming.
How to identify an arrhythmia? Is it possible to diagnose it yourself for obvious signs?
To find out, you need to "seize the moment" and make electrocardiography at the time of the attack. It is estimated by the frequency and regularity of the rhythm, the source of its origin, the proper conduct of the heart pulse.
Therefore, to determine arrhythmia need examination by a cardiologist. The physician evaluates the patient's general condition and uses the tool methods - an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter ECG monitoring. For a recent survey in the patient for a long time is a portable device on a belt or shoulder strap to secure the ECG in terms of everyday physical activity. The information obtained allows the doctor to draw conclusions and then determine further treatment strategy if necessary.
Can arrhythmia occur without symptoms?
Yes, there may be asymptomatic arrhythmias. Asymptomatic arrhythmias may be paroxysmal (paroxysmal) and constant when the atrial fibrillation persists for years. Therefore, even if the well-being in general, irregular rhythm - an occasion consult a doctor.
How dangerous arrhythmia?
Different types of arrhythmias different outlook - from security to life-threatening. In addition, the forecast effect and the presence or absence of structural heart disease, Presence of concomitant diseases. Moreover, the same arrhythmia in different patients may have different projections, and therefore the risk assessment should be conducted as a doctor in each case.
Why arrhythmia may occur?
At the occurrence of arrhythmias can be many reasons. Among them:
- congenital or acquired heart disease;
- arterial hypertension;
- electrolyte imbalance;
- of hormonal status;
- comorbidities;
- bad habits.
All these factors can be the cause of arrhythmias and cardiac conduction.
What can I do for arrhythmia prevention?
The primary prevention of arrhythmias is a healthy lifestyle. Here everything is simple:
- healthy eating;
- absence of harmful habits;
- moderate physical exercise;
- maintaining a body mass index (BMI), OK - 20-25. Calculate its BMI is possible according to the formula: weight in kilograms / (height in meters) ².
These conditions contribute to the proper functioning of the heart. Of course, it is better not to be limited: it is important to undergo regular medical examinations and be sure to consult your doctor for anxiety symptoms.
How to treat an arrhythmia?
Today arrhythmia treated by different methods. We tell you about the two main.
A conservative, he is medical
Appointed reception drugs to eliminate the arrhythmia or prevent complications resulting from the disease. In some cases, a life-long reception of medicines.
Surgical
There are low-traumatic surgical method of treatment. For example, when tachyarrhythmia (frequent episodes of heart rate) applied radiofrequency ablation. Technology almost like a science fiction movie: a vessel through a puncture in the thigh to the heart is performed thin a catheter, by means of X-ray is happening on the screen of the special device in the form of 3D-model heart. The doctor looks for anomalous zone of the momentum, and then destroys the point of the current radio frequency.
In the opposite case - a rare heart rate - treatment is implantation of pacemakers which perform the function of pacing. Pacemakers send individually defined and metered pulses of the heart muscle, making the heart work in a range of natural rhythm.
If life-threatening arrhythmias using implantable devices - cardioverter defibrillators. With the threat of life, they produce an electrical discharge, and restore normal heart function. Some of these devices even help avoid a heart transplant.
Treatment, of course, is appointed by the doctor depending on the exact diagnosis and the patient's general condition.