Arrhythmias can range from harmless to life-threatening, making early detection and treatment crucial. If you’re experiencing irregular heartbeats or related symptoms, it’s important to consult a cardiologist for expert care.
An arrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm, occurring when the electrical impulses controlling the heart’s beats function improperly. This can result in the heart beating too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. Some arrhythmias may feel like pounding, fluttering, or a racing sensation in the chest. While certain types of arrhythmias are harmless, others can be more serious and cause potentially life-threatening issues. For example, it is natural for your heart rate to increase during exercise and slow down when resting or sleeping. Occasionally feeling like your heart skips a beat is also normal. However, frequent irregular heartbeats might indicate that the heart is not supplying enough blood to the body, potentially leading to severe complications. Continue reading to learn more about the different types of arrhythmias, their symptoms, and treatment options.
Types of Arrhythmias
There are several different kinds of arrhythmias. These include:
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): Irregular heart signals lead to a fast, uncoordinated heartbeat.
- Atrial Flutter: Similar to AFib but with a more organised heartbeat pattern.
- Supraventricular Tachycardia: Rapid heartbeats originating above the ventricles, causing sudden episodes of a pounding heart.
- Ventricular Fibrillation: Chaotic electrical signals make the lower heart chambers quiver rather than contract properly.
- Ventricular Tachycardia: Fast, irregular heart rate due to abnormal signals in the ventricles, hindering proper blood flow.
- Sick Sinus Syndrome: Scarring near the sinus node disrupts heart signals, causing alternating slow and fast heart rates.
- Conduction Block: A blockage in the heart’s electrical pathways slows or halts heartbeat signals.
- Premature Heartbeats: Extra beats that occur occasionally, sometimes alternating with a regular heartbeat.
Symptoms of Arrhythmias
Sometimes, arrhythmias are silent and show no clear symptoms. A doctor may detect them during a physical exam by checking your pulse, listening to your heart, or using diagnostic tests. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Palpitations (A skipping, racing, or fluttering feeling in the chest)
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Low blood pressure
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Cardiac arrest (The heart stops beating)
- Heart failure (The heart struggles to pump enough oxygenated blood)
- Difficulty feeding (Seen in infants)
If you do experience any of these symptoms, consult one of the best cardiologists in Chennai via Apollo to get an accurate diagnosis and recommended treatment.
Causes of Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias can arise from various causes, including:
- Congenital Abnormalities: Some individuals are born with defects in the heart’s electrical system, such as an extra muscle fibre between the upper and lower chambers, which can lead to conditions like paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) later in life.
- Inherited Heart Conditions: Certain genetic heart diseases develop over time, increasing the risk of arrhythmias. For example, in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), the heart muscle is gradually replaced by fat and scar tissue, leading to arrhythmias.
- Acquired Conditions: Damage from events like a heart attack can create scar tissue in the heart, which may cause abnormal electrical activity, resulting in ventricular tachycardia.
- Age-related Changes: The likelihood of developing arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, increases with age. While atrial fibrillation is uncommon before age 50, its occurrence becomes more frequent with age.
Arrhythmia Treatment
The treatment of arrhythmias often depends on the underlying cause. Consult the top cardiologists at Apollo Hospital Chennai to determine the cause and ensure prompt treatment. Here are some treatment options for arrhythmias.
- Medications
- Antiarrhythmic drugs used to restore or maintain a normal heart rhythm.
- Heart rate control medications to help regulate an abnormal heart rate.
- Anticoagulants and antiplatelets (e.g., warfarin, aspirin) to reduce the risk of blood clots.
- Medications addressing underlying causes of arrhythmias.
- Lifestyle Changes
- Avoid smoking
- Manage blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Limit alcohol intake
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce caffeine and stimulant use
- Therapies
- Catheter Ablation: Uses electrical energy to block abnormal pathways causing arrhythmias.
- Cardioversion: Delivers electrical impulses to reset the heart’s rhythm.
- Pulmonary Vein Isolation: Creates scar tissue to block areas that may trigger atrial fibrillation.
- Devices:
- Permanent Pacemaker: Helps regulate the heart rate by sending electrical impulses.
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): Monitors and corrects abnormal heart rhythms with electrical shocks when necessary
- Biventricular pacemakers and defibrillators: Help synchronise the heart’s contractions, particularly in the left ventricle.
- Surgery:
- Maze Procedure: Treats atrial fibrillation unresponsive to other treatments.
- Valve or Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Corrects heart disease contributing to arrhythmia.
- Biventricular Pacemaker Placement: Achieved through minimally invasive or surgical techniques to improve heart function.
Conclusion
Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Whether caused by congenital issues, age-related changes, or other heart conditions, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential. Apollo Hospital Chennai is equipped with the expertise to diagnose and manage arrhythmias using a range of treatment options, including medications, lifestyle changes, therapies, and advanced procedures. If you’re experiencing symptoms or concerned about your heart health, seeking professional care from the best cardiologists in Chennai can make all the difference in ensuring a healthy heart and overall well-being.
