Definition of Arrhythmia
Arrhythmias are heart problems that occur when the organ beats too fast, too slowly, or irregularly. This is caused by the electrical impulses that function to regulate the heartbeat not working properly.
Four types of arrhythmias are quite common, including:
- Bradycardia is a condition when the heart beats more slowly or irregularly.
- Supraventricular tachycardia is a condition when the heart beats abnormally fast.
- Atrial fibrillation is a condition that occurs when the heartbeat becomes irregular and the rate of contraction of the organ is very high.
- Ventricular fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia that can cause the sufferer to lose consciousness or sudden death due to a fast and irregular heartbeat.
As a result of a heartbeat that becomes too slow, too fast, or irregular, people with arrhythmias may experience symptoms such as the following:
- Tired
- Dizzy
- Hard to breathe
- Chest pain
- Almost fainted or even fainted
See a doctor immediately if you suddenly or often feel these symptoms. This is so that the doctor can diagnose your type of arrhythmia quickly and provide the right treatment. Diagnosis is also very important to make sure you are not suffering from a deadly type of arrhythmia, such as ventricular fibrillation.
A person who has symptoms of ventricular fibrillation arrhythmias can pass out very quickly, or even lose their pulse and not breathe. This occurs due to decreased blood pressure and blood supply to vital organs such as the brain, which stops due to the inability of the heart to pump blood.
If by chance you find an arrhythmic sufferer experiencing this, immediately take him to the nearest hospital or call an ambulance. If you are trained to perform artificial respiration or CPR, do this method while waiting for help to arrive so that the sufferer's chances of survival remain high.
Causes of arrhythmia
Several factors can cause a person to experience an arrhythmia, including:
- Stress
- Air pollution
- Smoke
- Drug use
- Electric shock
- Drug side effects
- Consuming too much caffeine or alcohol
- Suffering from thyroid disorders
- Suffering from diabetes
- Suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure
- Have or have had a heart attack
- Suffering from coronary heart disease
- Experiencing changes in the structure of the heart
Arrhythmia diagnosis
Some types of diagnostic methods commonly used for arrhythmias are:
Echocardiogram. The examination that aims to evaluate the valves and heart muscle to detect the cause of this arrhythmia is done with the help of ultrasound waves.
Electrocardiogram (ECG). This diagnostic method aims to record the electrical activity in the heart with the help of several devices called electrodes.
Pressure training test. This diagnostic method is combined with an electrocardiogram. In the pressure test, the patient will be asked to do physical exercise, such as pedaling a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill. Then the patient's blood pressure and heart rate are monitored through a monitor. Through this pressure test, doctors can see how far the level of regularity of the heart's rhythm is before being changed by the influence of physical activity.
Holter Monitor. The purpose of this examination and how the equipment used is similar to an electrocardiogram. However, the difference is that the device, called a Holter monitor, can be brought home by the patient so that he can record his heart activity while he is doing his daily routine.
Electrophysiological studies. Through this method, the location of the arrhythmia and its cause can be identified by using the technique of mapping the spread of electrical impulses in the heart. In doing the mapping, the doctor will insert a catheter equipped with electrodes into several blood vessels in the heart. In addition to looking at the location and cause of the arrhythmia, electrophysiological studies can also be used similarly to the pressure test method. The trick is to stimulate the heart to contract at a rate that can trigger a change in rate using these electrodes.
Cardiac catheterization. This method uses a tool similar to electrophysiological studies, namely the catheter. However, in cardiac catheterization, the examination is carried out with the help of special dyes and X-rays to determine the condition of the chambers, coronary, valves, and blood vessels of the heart.
In fact, in some cases, doctors can easily diagnose arrhythmias through regular heart rate checks. But there are several conditions other than arrhythmias that also have the same symptoms. Therefore, to further confirm the patient suffers from arrhythmias and their causes, more detailed tests are carried out. The right diagnosis will also help the doctor provide the right treatment.
Arrhythmia treatment
There are some patients with arrhythmias who do not need treatment. Treatment is usually given by a doctor if he sees the patient's arrhythmia symptoms have the potential to get worse or cause complications. The types of treatment provided are:
Medications. such as beta-blocking drugs that can keep the heart rate normal. In addition, there are also anticoagulant drugs that reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke. Examples of anticoagulant drugs are aspirin, warfarin, and rivaroxaban.
Trigger and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The purpose of this device is to maintain a normal heart rate in certain cases of arrhythmia. This tool will be placed by the doctor under the skin of the upper chest. When this device detects a change in heart rhythm, it sends a short electric shock to the heart to stop the abnormal rhythm and bring it back to normal.
Cardioversion. This method may be used by a doctor if a case of arrhythmia cannot be treated by medication. Through the electric cardioversion method, the doctor will give an electric shock to your chest to restore a normal heart rate. Of course, this method is carried out by giving anesthesia first. Electrical cardioversion is usually given in cases of atrial fibrillation arrhythmias and supraventricular tachycardia.
Ablation method. This method is usually used to treat arrhythmias whose cause is known. Through the ablation method, the doctor will insert a catheter with X-ray guidance through a vein in the leg. When the catheter manages to find the source of the heart rhythm disturbance, the small device will damage a small part of the heart tissue.
Arrhythmia prevention
Arrhythmia is a heart problem that can be prevented through the following steps:
- Avoid or reduce stress.
- Eat healthy food.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Do not carelessly take drugs without drug instructions from a doctor, especially a cough and cold medicines that contain stimulant substances that trigger the heart to beat fast.
- Limit consumption of alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
- Do not smoke.
- Exercise regularly.
Complications of arrhythmia
Complications occur when an arrhythmia makes the heart unable to pump blood effectively. If arrhythmias are not treated immediately or do not get the right treatment, then in the long term it can lead to:
- Heart failure
- stroke
- Dead