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.
Cardiac Arrhythmia Classification
Introduction
Cardiac arrhythmias are disorders of the heart's electrical activity that cause irregular heartbeats. These abnormalities can be harmless or life-threatening, depending on their type and severity. Understanding arrhythmia classification helps in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Classification of Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are generally classified based on their origin and effect on heart rate:
1. Origin-Based Classification
- Supraventricular Arrhythmias (Above the Ventricles)
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) – Irregular, rapid heart rhythm
- Atrial flutter – Similar to AF but more organized
- Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
- Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome
- Ventricular Arrhythmias (In the Ventricles)
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
- Ventricular fibrillation (VF) – Extremely dangerous, can cause sudden cardiac arrest
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) – Early beats from the ventricles
2. Heart Rate-Based Classification
- Bradyarrhythmias (Slow Heart Rate) – Less than 60 beats per minute
- Sinus bradycardia
- AV block (First, Second, and Third-degree)
- Tachyarrhythmias (Fast Heart Rate) – More than 100 beats per minute
- Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, PSVT
- Ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation
Causes and Risk Factors
Arrhythmias may develop due to:
- Heart disease (coronary artery disease, heart failure)
- High blood pressure
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Stress or excessive caffeine/alcohol
- Medication side effects
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis involves ECG, Holter monitoring, and electrophysiological studies. Treatments vary:
- Medications (antiarrhythmics, beta blockers)
- Catheter ablation
- Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)
Conclusion
Understanding the classification of arrhythmias is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. Patients with symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, or syncope should seek medical attention.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines for Arrhythmia Management
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000549
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/tachycardia--fast-heart-rate
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16949478/
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on 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/36017572/
- 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.