Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia (also known as Cardiac Dysrhythmia) is a term describing irregular heartbeat. The term is used to describe a wide range of conditions in which there is a disorder in the electrical activity of the heart.

This can mean that the heart is beating too fast (a condition called Tachycardia), too slow (a condition called Bradycardia) or simply beating with an irregular pattern. A normal heart rate usually varies from 50 to 100 beats per minute and if the heart beats slower or faster than that there is probably a heart condition.

Arrhythmia Video

Arrhythmia Types

Here are the main types of Cardiac Dysrhythmia:

• Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) - The most common arrhythmia disorder which referrers to a skipped heartbeat. This is usually caused by the consumption of nicotine or caffeine or too much exercise, but can also be caused by heart disease. People who have a lot of PVCs should be diagnosed by a heart specialist.
• Atrial fibrillation - A common arrhythmia type that causes the upper chambers in the heart (the Artia) to contract abnormally.
• Atrial flutter - A more organized and regular diagnosis then the fibrillation. People who have heart disease or people after heart surgery will usually have this arrhythmia.
• Ventricular tachycardia - A rapid heartbeat originating in the lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart which prevents the heart from filling adequately with blood. This is a serious condition as the heart cannot pump enough blood back to the body.
  There is also the Supraventricular tachycardia, which originates above the ventricular tissue and is less dangerous.
• Ventricular fibrillation - A severe condition that must be treated immediately with CPR and defibrillation. The ventricles aren't able to contract or pump blood to the body.
• Long QT syndrome - This condition means the heart muscle is taking longer than usual to contract and then recover, or for the electrical impulse to fire impulses and then recharge. When this occurs, it increases the risk for "torsade de pointes," a life-threatening form of ventricular tachycardia. Long QT syndrome is an inherited condition.
• Bradyarrhythmias - A Slow heartbeat which may arise from a disease in the heart's electrical conduction system.

Arrhythmia Symptoms

Arrhythmia can sometimes appear without any symptoms or clinical effects on our body, however, it can be detected at a routine checkup at your doctor.

When there are arrhythmia does show symptoms, they can include:

• Palpitations – A feeling of skipped heartbeats, fluttering or that your heart is racing.
• A feeling of pounding on your chest
• The feeling of dizziness or fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness and fatigue
• Discomfort in the chest area

Arrhythmia Treatments

There are several types of arrhythmia treatments. Each cardiac dysrhythmia case is treated differently depending on the type and the patient's condition. The treatments are divided into medication, lifestyle changes and different types of heart surgery.

Medication for arrhythmia is divided into two main categories: Medication that is supposed to control your heart rate, (for instance Beta-BlockersA class of drugs used in this case for the management of cardiac arrhythmia, as they diminish the effects of epinephrine (adrenaline) and other stress hormones (Source: Wikipedia).) and anticoagulantA substance that prevents coagulation; that is, it stops blood from clotting (Source: Wikipedia). or antiplateletA group of pharmaceuticals that decreases platelet aggregation and inhibits the formation of blood clots (Source: Wikipedia). medications that reduce the risk of blood clots and stroking.

In addition to medication, there are several surgical options. These include:

• Electrical Cardioversion – An electrical shock is administered to the chest in order to synchronize the heart and allow the normal rhythm to restart.
• Pacemaker transplant – The pacemaker will maintain a regular steady heartbeat.
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) – Once this device detects abnormal heart rhythm, it delivers energy that causes the heart to beat in a normal rhythm again.
• Radiofrequency ablation – A procedure in which radiofrequency energy is transmitted to selected heart muscle cells (that are the cause of the Atrial Fibrillation) and destroys them.
• Heart Surgery – May be required to treat different types of heart disease that are causing the arrhythmia.

Arrhythmia Treatments Abroad

Cardiac dysrhythmia and heart disease are very serious matters and require immediate attention. TicketMed works with the top cardio doctors and medical centers and will be happy to assist and accompany you in your decision making process and treatments. Contact us or ask for a quote.