Causes of Arrhythmia and Risk Factors

Tobacco increases risk of multiple heart diseases. But people who quit tobacco reduce their risk of dying from a heart disease significantly. Read more to understand the consequences of tobacco consumption and the benefits of quitting tobacco. Tobacco can affect the heart and the entire cardiovascular system including the blood vessels. According to the WHO and World Heart Federation, 1.9 million people die from tobacco-related heart diseases every year. Even occasional intake of tobacco and…

Take all medications exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking any prescription medication without first consulting your doctor. If you have any side effects, please discuss with your doctor. Make sure your doctor knows about all your other drugs and supplements, including over-the-counter medications and vitamins.  Monitor your pulse especially if you have a pacemaker Put the second and third fingers of one hand on the inside of the wrist of the other hand, just below the thumb OR…

Nutritious foods that give you the most bang for your buck. By Dietitian and Diabetes educator Ujjwala Baxi When we hear ‘superfoods’, we think quinoa, blueberries, salmon, chia seeds etc thanks to clever marketing and hype. These are not only expensive, but can be hard to get hold of, especially in India. The good news is that there are ‘superfoods’ that are readily available and affordable, but are often ignored. They pack as much punch as the much-touted superfoods but are overlooked as…

How is arrhythmia treated? 1. Medicines: These include drugs that help control your heart rhythm and slow down your heart rate, such as beta-blockers, or antiarrhythmics (amiodarone and flecainide)  2. Surgical procedures: Cardioversion -  A controlled electric shock is applied to the chest from a machine called a defibrillator in order to restore the heart’s rhythm. This may be carried out if you have atrial fibrillation. Cardioversion is usually done under general anaesthesia, but…

Everything you need to know about irregular heartbeats. By Dr Shital Raval What is an arrhythmia? An arrhythmia is a disturbance of the usual electrical rhythm of the heart. It can occur regularly or just occasionally. Arrhythmias are disorders of the heart’s electrical system, which means there is a change in the regular beat. This can be as a result of the conduction pathway being damaged or blocked, or because an extra pathway is present. The heart may beat too quickly (tachycardia), or too…

Some lifestyle changes may prevent arrhythmia: Eat a low-fat, well balanced diet. Exercise on a regular basis. Quit smoking and tobacco use. Avoid or reduce caffeine and alcohol intake. Avoid using any illicit drugs. Reduce anxiety and stress to reduce the intensity or frequency of palpitations. Deep breathing, yoga and meditation relax your body. Check the ingredients in herbal medicines and supplements you are taking if they contain caffeine or substances that can induce palpitations.

What diagnostic tests are conducted to detect an arrhythmia? Your doctor may ask for the following tests: Full blood count (FBC) Electrocardiogram (ECG) – this records the electrical activity of your heart to see how well it’s working 24-hour heart monitor (ambulatory ECG) – this records the electrical activity of your heart over 24 hours or longer Exercise ECG – this can check for other problems with your heart and may trigger abnormal heart rhythms Echocardiogram – this uses ultrasound (…

Arrhythmias can be further classified based on their rhythm or speed - Tachycardia is when the heart rate is above 100 beats per minute. Bradycardia is when the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute. Depending on the place of origin, arrhythmias can be classified as “Atrial, Junctional or Ventricular”.  Some of the more common abnormal heart rhythms are: Atrial fibrillation (AF) - the most common type of serious arrhythmia, it causes fast and irregular contraction…

Symptoms depend on the type and severity of the arrhythmia. Frequency of occurrence varies from daily to once or twice a year. With some types of arrhythmia you may not get any symptoms, but symptoms may include: Palpitations Dizziness Fainting or collapsing Breathlessness Chest pain Tiredness

What causes arrhythmias? CARDIAC HORMONAL MEDICATIONS OTHER High blood pressure Hyperthyroidism –Over production of thyroid hormone Certain medications used to treat irregular heartbeats Eg. Β-blockers, Ca-channel blockers Stress Coronary artery disease Dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], a natural steroid hormone. When taken as a supplement is known to produce palpitations as a side effect. Thyroid medications Low blood oxygen Valvular heart …