i go to the heart dr tomorrow because my heart beat is very irregular what are t!
Question:
with the high blood pressure sometimt sometime not i get light headed sometimes with the headaches and very tired latly i feel fine when i get up but after a while i don't feel i have the energy to do anything
Answers:
they will make u an EKG, to find the right place of the arrhytmia. So the can fix the problem in the right place. The problem could be before despolarization of the heart cell, so u will need more Ca+ to make the despolarization work of, for example. Or maybe u have another desorder in ur automatic heart cells (they work like a pacemaker), so u will need a pacemaker.
Other Answers:
a small leak in your heart, I have one, they will probably tell you to cut down on caffiene
What is an Arrhythmia?
The regular normal heartbeat is generated by electrical impulses arising from the sinus node located in the right upper chamber (atrium). The heart muscle must be activated electrically before it can initiate its mechanical function of pumping the blood out of the heart into the body. The sinus node creates these spontaneous electrical impulses at a rate of 60-100 per minute at rest. This is manifested as a regular pulse at the same rate when one puts the finger on the front of the wrist to feel the pulsation of the artery. The sinus node can increase or decrease its rate in relation to various needs such as reduction in the rate during sleep to as low as 40 per minute, and increase to as high as 150 per minute during physical activities. The sinus node thus regulates the pumping of the heart in a rhythmic fashion and this is the normal rhythm of the heart.An arrhythmia is an abnormal rhythm outside of the normal variations mentioned above. In essence, an arrhythmia is an abnormal rhythm or beating of the heart. It can be due to abnormal function of the sinus node or it can arise from other areas which normally do not initiate electrical impulses. The arrhythmia can be manifested as rapid and regular heart beats (tachycardia), rapid and irregular heartbeats (fibrillation), slow heart beats (bradycardia), and abnormal extra beats occurring before the anticipated normal beats in a periodic fashion (premature contractions). Arrhythmias originating from the upper chambers (above the ventricles) of the heart are called supraventricular arrhythmias. Those originating in the lower chambers (ventricles) are called ventricular arrhythmias. The symptoms caused by arrhythmias depend on the type, severity, duration and frequency of arrhythmia. The severity of symptoms is also related to the underlying function of the heart. A young person with a normal heart may tolerate the arrhythmia very well but an older person with some associated heart disease will tolerate the same arrhythmia poorly. The arrhythmia-related symptoms are variable and include palpitations (feeling of rapid beats), weakness, fatigue, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, dizzy spells, and in the most severe form as actual loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest.
How to Diagnose Arrhythmias:
EKG:
The normal as well as abnormal electrical activity of the heart can be recorded from the body surface by placing electrodes which are connected to a recording machine (EKG). However to detect an arrhythmia the recording must be done at the time when the patient is having the arrhythmia. Because of the sporadic nature of the arrhythmias, the better option is to attach the electrodes to the patient's chest which are then connected to a tape recorder. The heartbeats recorded in the tape are then transferred to a machine that can analyze, display, and record these beats. This is called Ambulatory ECG Recording or Holter Monitoring. This recording is usually done for 24 hours. If the patient does not have the arrhythmia in 24 hours, the recording may be repeated but at times the arrhythmia may not occur and thus not recordable after several attempts. For such type of a very sporadic arrhythmia, another type of recorder is available which is activated by thepatient. It is similar to the Holter Tape Recorder but is smaller (size of a pager). When the patient has symptoms presumed to be due to arrhythmia, he or she will push a button and the heartbeats will be recorded. This recording can be transmitted via telephone from this recorder to a receiver which is located in the hospital. The medical staff can then review the recording, relate with the symptoms, and make an accurate diagnosis. This is called Transtelephone ECG Recording.
Electrophysiology Study:
This is the study of the normal physiology of the electrical system of the heart and detection of arrhythmia by direct recording from inside the heart. This is an invasive study and involves introduction of catheters (long cables) through the blood vessels and guiding them to various locations in the heart. The patient is given mild sedation and local anesthesia with xylocaine administered locally at the site of catheter introduction in a similar way as local anesthesia given by a dentist. The specialist cardiologist (electrophysiologist) can provoke the arrhythmia, identify its mechanism, locate its focus, and thus make a decision about appropriate therapy.The abovementioned studies are done for direct recording of the arrhythmia. However, the patient may need other studies such as blood tests, chest x-ray, echocardiogram, and cardiac catheterization for overall assessment of the condition of the heart and diagnosing other related conditions. The King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center is fully equipped with modern equipment for all these studies.
How to Treat Arrhythmias:
Arrhythmias may not require treatment if they are infrequent and associated with very little symptoms. Sometimes, the symptoms may be significantly improved by avoiding things which precipitate arrhythmias such as excessive use of caffeine. The treatment of underlying heart disease may also result in significant improvement in the occurrence of arrhythmia. When the arrhythmia is not correctable by these measures and requires specific treatment, various options are available.
Antiarrhythmic Drugs:
These drugs can reduce the occurrence of arrhythmia and/or decrease the severity. However, the patient has to take the medication on a lifelong basis. Further, the drugs may cause various side effects and rarely even aggravate the arrhythmia. Therefore, close monitoring and follow-up by the physician is necessary. The drugs only prevent the arrhythmia and do not result in permanent cure. If available, it is preferable to choose a mode of therapy which can achieve permanent cure without a significant risk (see below).
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation:
Many types of abnormal, fast heart rhythm disturbances (tachycardia) can be permanently cured by this new non-surgical approach. Catheters (long cables) are introduced into the heart through the blood vessels and the focus of arrhythmia is identified by recording the electrical activity from inside the heart. A specialized computerized recording and analysis system is used for this purpose. Once the arrhythmia focus is identified, radiofrequency energy (modified high-frequency electrical current) is passed through the catheter to that area. This causes heating of tissue in that area and permanently destroys the tiny bundles of heart muscle responsible for the arrhythmia. The permanent cure rate is above 95% with a very low rate of recurrence (1-2%).
Surgery:
Surgery may be needed for the treatment of other associated conditions. The focus of arrhythmia can also be approached directly and excised. However, Radiofrequency Ablation has almost completely eliminated the need for this procedure.
Pacemakers:
Pacemakers are primarily needed for the treatment of slow heart rhythms (bradycardia). The artificial pacemaker is a small electrical device which monitors the heart beat and emits electrical impulses which stimulate the heart to maintain a regular rhythm. The pacemaker is embedded under the skin and is connected to the heart with electrical wires (leads) which are introduced through the blood vessels. The monitoring of heartbeats and transmission of electrical impulses is conducted through these leads. The modern pacemakers are very complex and advanced due to developments in computer applications. These pacemakers can regulate the heart rhythm for the varying needs of the patient i.e. rest, sleep, and exercise etc.
Implantable DefIbrillators:
These devices are similar to pacemakers but apply treatment for more serious and life-threatening arrhythmias. The device monitors the heartbeat and if a very fast and life-threatening arrhythmia (ventricular fibrillation) occurs, it will deliver an internal electrical shock and restore the heart rhythm back to normal. You may have observed various scenes of cardiac arrest when the paramedical personnel apply electrical shock to the chest of the patient for resuscitation. This device performs the same life-saving function automatically and is available to the high risk patients all the time. The current advanced forms of these devices also perform many other functions such as terminating the fast heart rhythm (tachycardia) by delivering rapid electrical impulses and regulating slow heartbeat like a pacemaker. There is a tremendous amount of memory in these devices and the patient's arrhythmias are stored in the device which can later be retrieved and analyzed by the physicians using special programmers. This is an excellent example of a beneficial use of modern technology for the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening arrhythmias.
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Cardiac arrhythmia is a group of conditions in which the muscle contraction of the heart is irregular or is faster or slower than normal. Cardiac dysrhythmia is technically more correct, as arrhythmia would imply that there is "no rhythm," but this term is not used frequently.
Some arrhythmias are life-threatening medical emergencies that can cause cardiac arrest and sudden death. Others cause aggravating symptoms, such as an awareness of a different heart beat, or palpitation, which can be annoying. Some are quite benign and normal. Sinus arrhythmia is the mild acceleration followed by slowing of the normal rhythm that occurs with breathing. In adults the normal heart rate ranges from 60 beats per minute to 100 beats per minute. The normal heart beat is controlled by a small area in the upper chamber of the heart called the sinus node. The sinus node contains specialized cells that have spontaneous electrical activity that starts each normal heart beat.
Frequency too high/low
A heart rate faster than 100 beats/minute is considered a tachycardia. With exercise the sinus node increases its rate of electrical activity to accelerate the heart rate. The normal fast rate that develops is called sinus tachycardia. Arrhythmias that are due to fast, abnormal electrical activity can cause tachycardias that are dangerous. If the ventricles of the heart experiences one of these tachycardias for a long period of time, there can be deleterious effects. Individuals may sense a tachycardia as a pounding sensation of the heart, known as palpitations. If a tachycardia lowers blood pressure it may cause lightheadedness or dizzinesses, or even fainting (syncope). If the tachycardia is so fast that the heart can not function, it leads to death, which may occur suddenly.
Most tachycardias are not dangerous. Anything that increases adrenaline or its effects on the heart will increase the heart rate and potentially cause palpitations or tachycardias. Causes include stress, ingested or injected substances (ie: caffeine, alcohol (see Holiday heart syndrome), and an overactive thyroid gland hyperthyroidism. Individuals who have a tachycardia are often advised to limit or remove exposure to any causative agent.
A slow rhythm, known as bradycardia (less than 60 beats/min), is usually not life threatening, but may cause symptoms. When it causes symptoms implantation of a permanent pacemaker may be needed.
Either dysrhythmia requires medical attention to evaluate the risks associated with the arrhythmia.
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Your heart pumps nearly five quarts of blood through your body every 60 seconds. Even while you are sitting still, your heart beats (expands and contracts) 60 to 100 times each minute. These heartbeats are triggered by electrical impulses that begin in your heart's natural pacemaker, called the sinoatrial node (SA node). The SA node is a bunch of cells located at the top of your heart's upper right chamber (the right atrium).
Any irregularity in your heart's natural rhythm is called an arrhythmia. Almost everyone's heart skips a beat at one time or another, and these mild, one-time palpitations are harmless. But there are about 4 million Americans who have recurrent arrhythmias, and these people should be under the care of a doctor.
Categories of Arrhythmia
Arrhythmias can be divided into two categories: ventricular and supraventricular. Ventricular arrhythmias happen in the heart's two lower chambers, called the ventricles. Supraventricular arrhythmias happen in the structures above the ventricles, mainly the atria, which are the heart's two upper chambers.
Arrhythmias are further defined by the speed of the heartbeats. A very slow heart rate, called bradycardia, means the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute. Tachycardia is a very fast heart rate, meaning the heart beats faster than 100 beats per minute. Fibrillation, the most serious form of arrhythmia, is fast, uncoordinated beats, which are contractions of individual heart-muscle fibers.
What is heart block?
Heart block happens when the SA node's electrical signal cannot travel to the heart's lower chambers (the ventricles).
See also on this site: Categories of Arrhythmia
What causes an arrhythmia?
Many factors can cause your heart to beat irregularly. Some people are born with arrhythmias, meaning the condition is congenital. Some medical conditions, including many types of heart disease and high blood pressure, may be factors. Also, stress, caffeine, smoking, alcohol, and some over-the-counter cough and cold medicines can affect the pattern of your heartbeat.
What are the symptoms?
Whether you have symptoms and what those symptoms feel like depend on the health of your heart and the type of arrhythmia you have. Symptoms also depend on how severe the arrhythmia is, how often it happens, and how long it lasts. Some arrhythmias do not produce any warning signs. Contrary to popular belief, heart palpitations do not always mean that you have an arrhythmia.
Symptoms of bradycardia
* You may feel tired, short of breath, dizzy, or faint.
Symptoms of tachycardia
* Your heartbeat may feel like a strong pulse in your neck, or a fluttering, racing beat in your chest.
* You may feel chest discomfort, weak, short of breath, faint, sweaty, or dizzy.
How is an arrhythmia diagnosed?
The following techniques are used to diagnose arrhythmias.
* A standard electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is the best test for diagnosing arrhythmia. This test helps doctors analyze the electrical currents of your heart and determine the type of arrhythmia you have.
* Holter monitoring gets a non-stop reading of your heart rate and rhythm over a 24-hour period (or longer). You wear a recording device (the Holter monitor), which is connected to small metal disks called electrodes that are placed on your chest. With certain types of monitors, you can push a "record" button to capture a rhythm when you feel symptoms. Doctors can then look at a printout of the recording to find out what causes your arrhythmia.
* Event monitoring records problems that may not be found within a 24-hour period. The devices used for this type of test are smaller than a Holter monitor. One such device is the size of a beeper, and another is worn like a wristwatch. As with Holter monitoring, you wear the recording device. When you feel the symptoms of an arrhythmia, you can telephone a monitoring station, where a record can be made. If you cannot get to a telephone during your symptoms, you can turn on the device's memory function. Later, you can send the recorded information to a monitoring station by using a telephone. These devices also work during episodes of fainting.
* Electrophysiology studies (EPS) are usually done in a cardiac catheterization laboratory. A long, thin tube called a catheter is inserted into an artery in your leg and guided to your heart. A map of electrical impulses from your heart is sent through the catheter. This map helps doctors find out what kind of arrhythmia you have and where it starts. During the study, doctors can give you controlled electrical impulses to show how your heart reacts. Medicines may also be tested at this time to see which will stop the arrhythmia. Once the electrical pathways causing the arrhythmia are found, radio waves can be sent through the catheter to destroy them. (See radiofrequency ablation in treatment section below.)
* A tilt-table exam is a way to evaluate your heart's rhythm in cases of fainting. The test is noninvasive, which means that doctors will not use needles or catheters. Your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored as you lie flat on a table. The table is then tilted to 65 degrees. The angle puts stress on the area of the nervous system that maintains your heart rate and blood pressure. Doctors can see how your heart responds under carefully controlled times of stress.
How is arrhythmia treated?
Anti-arrhythmic medicines, including digitalis, beta-blockers, and calcium-channel blockers, are often the first approach taken for treating arrhythmia. Other treatments include percutaneous (catheter) interventions, implantable devices, and surgery (for severe cases).
* Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation can be treated by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). This is a device that applies electric impulses or, if needed, a shock to restore a normal heartbeat. The device's power source is implanted in a pouch beneath the skin of your chest or the area above your stomach and connected to patches placed on your heart. Newer implantable devices are inserted through blood vessels, which means that you do not need open-chest surgery.
* An electronic pacemaker is used in some cases of slow heart rate. Smaller than a matchbox, the pacemaker is surgically implanted near the bone below your neck (the collarbone). The pacemaker's batteries supply the electrical energy that acts like your heart's natural pacemaker.
* Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure that uses a catheter and a device for mapping the electrical pathways of the heart. After you are given medicine to relax you, a catheter is inserted into a vein and guided to your heart, where doctors use high-frequency radio waves to destroy (ablate) the pathways causing the arrhythmia.
In some cases, these treatments may not work or they may not be right for you, and surgery may be needed to destroy the source of the irregular heartbeat.
* Surgical ablation is like radiofrequency ablation. Using computerized mapping techniques, surgeons can find out which cells are "misfiring." A technique called cryoablation can then be used to eliminate tissue with a cold probe and destroy the "misfiring" cells.
* Maze surgery may be recommended if you have atrial fibrillation that has not responded to medicines or electrical shock (cardioversion therapy). Surgeons create a "maze" of new electrical pathways to let electrical impulses travel through your heart without being blocked.
* Ventricular resection involves a surgeon removing the area in the heart's muscle where the arrhythmia starts.
In other cases, no treatment is needed. Most people with an arrhythmia lead normal, active lifestyles. Often, certain lifestyle changes, such as avoiding caffeine (found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, and some over-the-counter pain medicines) or avoiding alcohol, are enough to stop the arrhythmia.
Answers: