About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding Arrhythmia: Causes and Risk Factors
Introduction
Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat, where the heart may beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or with an abnormal rhythm. Understanding the causes of arrhythmia is essential for prevention and treatment.
Main Causes of Arrhythmia
Below are the primary reasons why arrhythmias occur:
1. Heart-Related Causes:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) – Narrowing of the heart's arteries reduces blood flow, potentially disturbing the heart’s electrical signals.
- Heart attack (Myocardial infarction) – Can leave scar tissue, disrupting normal electrical conduction.
- Heart failure – Weakening of the heart muscle affects its ability to maintain a proper rhythm.
- Cardiomyopathy – Structural heart disease can lead to irregular electrical impulses.
- Congenital heart defects – Some people are born with electrical abnormalities in their heart.
2. Electrolyte Imbalance:
- Essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium regulate electrical impulses. An imbalance can trigger arrhythmias.
3. Hormonal and Endocrine Disorders:
- Thyroid disease – Overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism) thyroid can cause arrhythmias.
- Diabetes – Increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, leading to arrhythmias.
4. External and Lifestyle Factors:
- Stress and anxiety – Can increase adrenaline levels and trigger arrhythmias.
- Caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs – These substances affect heart rhythm.
- Medications – Certain drugs, including decongestants, psychiatric medications, and antiarrhythmic drugs themselves, can induce arrhythmias.
- Sleep apnea – Reduces oxygen supply, affecting the heart’s rhythm.
5. Aging and Genetic Factors:
- Advancing age – Increases the vulnerability of the heart to electrical disturbances.
- Genetic predisposition – Some people inherit heart rhythm abnormalities.
When to Seek Medical Help?
If you experience palpitations, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately. Arrhythmias can be harmless or life-threatening, requiring proper evaluation.
Conclusion
Understanding and addressing the causes of arrhythmia can help in preventing complications like stroke or heart failure. Lifestyle modifications, medications, and sometimes medical procedures can regulate heart rhythm effectively. If you suspect an arrhythmia, consult your doctor promptly.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Arrhythmias
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000549
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29084733/
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on the Management of Cardiac Arrhythmias
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Ventricular-Arrhythmias-and-the-Prevention-of-Sudden-Cardiac-Death
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/40/3997/6675633
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Supraventricular-Tachycardia
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26320108/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.0000091380.04100.84
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.