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.
Abnormal Heart Rhythms (Arrhythmias): Diagnosis and Treatment
Introduction
Abnormal heart rhythms, also called arrhythmias, occur when the heart beats too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly. Some arrhythmias are harmless, while others can be life-threatening. Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential to maintain heart health and prevent complications.
Types of Arrhythmias
- Bradycardia: Slow heart rate (<60 beats per minute)
- Tachycardia: Fast heart rate (>100 beats per minute)
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib): Irregular and rapid heart rhythm
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT): Fast, abnormal rhythm from the ventricles
- Ventricular fibrillation (VFib): Life-threatening, chaotic electrical activity in the ventricles
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): Rapid heart rate originating above the ventricles
Causes of Arrhythmias
- Heart disease (coronary artery disease, heart failure, valve disorders)
- Electrolyte imbalances (potassium, magnesium, calcium abnormalities)
- Thyroid disorders (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism)
- High blood pressure
- Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and drug use
- Stress and anxiety
How Are Arrhythmias Diagnosed?
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Records heart’s electrical activity
- Holter monitor: 24-48 hour continuous ECG monitoring
- Event monitor: Worn for weeks to detect sporadic arrhythmias
- Electrophysiology study (EPS): Identifies abnormal electrical pathways in the heart
- Echocardiogram: Evaluates heart structure and function
Treatment Options
1. Lifestyle Changes
- Maintain a heart-healthy diet (low sodium, low saturated fats, high vegetables and fruits)
- Regular exercise (as recommended by a cardiologist)
- Limit caffeine, alcohol, and smoking
- Manage stress (meditation, yoga, breathing exercises)
2. Medications
- Antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., amiodarone, flecainide)
- Beta-blockers (reduce heart rate by blocking adrenaline effects)
- Calcium channel blockers (help control heart rate and rhythm)
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners for AFib to prevent stroke)
3. Medical Procedures and Devices
- Cardioversion: Electrical shock to reset heart rhythm
- Catheter Ablation: Destroys abnormal heart tissue causing arrhythmia
- Pacemaker: Device that stimulates the heart if it beats too slowly
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): Detects and corrects life-threatening arrhythmias
Conclusion
If you experience symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or shortness of breath, consult a cardiologist promptly. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent serious complications such as stroke or sudden cardiac arrest.
References
For further reading, consult these clinical guidelines:
Source recommendations
1. 2023 AHA/ACC/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38033089/
- https://www.hrsonline.org/guidance/clinical-resources/2023-accahaaccphrs-guideline-diagnosis-and-management-patients-atrial-fibrillation
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.10.021
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2023/11/27/19/46/2023-acc-guideline-for-af-gl-af
2. 2021 ESC Guidelines on Cardiac Pacing and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/35/3427/6358547
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Cardiac-Pacing-and-Cardiac-Resynchronization-Therapy
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34455430/
- https://www.ecrjournal.com/articles/2021-esc-guidelines-cardiac-pacing-and-cardiac-resynchronisation-therapy
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34455427/
3. 2022 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Patients With Bradycardia and Cardiac Conduction Delay
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.10.044
- https://www.heartrhythmjournal.com/article/S1547-5271(18)31127-5/fulltext
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000627
- https://www.heartrhythmjournal.com/article/S1547-5271(22)01946-4/fulltext
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000499
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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.