(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Many people who fall in love experience a flutter in their chest when they gaze upon their beloved. That’s a natural and nice fluctuation in heart rhythm and generally causes no problems whatsoever. Chronic arrhythmia, or abnormal heart beat, can be quite distressing.
What is arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia can take several forms. A too-slow heartbeat is known as bradycardia. When a heart beats too fast, the condition is called tachycardia. Irregular heartbeat is referred to as fibrillation. Arrhythmia can cause skipped beats, extra beats and a general feeling of unwellness.
Symptoms of abnormal heart rhythm include shortness of breath, lightheaded sensations, dizziness and feeling that one is on the verge of fainting. Weakness, fatigue and chest pain may accompany an episode of arrhythmia.
The heart comprises four chambers. The two upper chambers are called the atria. The two lower chambers of the heart are the ventricles. Normal heartbeat is regulated by a natural pacemaker called the sinus node which is located within the upper right chamber, or atria. When every part of the heart is functioning properly, the sinus node sends an electrical impulse that causes the atria to to contract, thus sending blood into the lower chambers, or ventricles.
A normal and healthy human heart beats around 100 times per minute. Of course, the heart beats faster during exercise and sexual activity but generally returns to normal after cessation of said activity. During sleep, the heart beat may become slower but returns to normal upon rising.
What causes arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia occurs when the body’s electrical signals go a bit haywire. A common cause of irregular heartbeat is cardiac damage following a heart attack. Other causes of irregular heartbeat include arterial blockage, high blood pressure, stress and changes to the structure of the heart muscles that fall under the category cardiacmyopathy.
Mayo Clinic reports that an under- or overactive thyroid gland can cause abnormal heart rhythm as can smoking, stimulant abuse, obesity and ingestion of certain types of over-the-counter decongestants and cold medications. Electrolyte imbalance and a high-fat diet can also be contributing factors to abnormal heart rhythm.
Diabetes, antidepressant drugs and anemia may lead to abnormal heart rhythm. Disorders of the endocrine system may also cause the heart to beat abnormally, according to LifeScript.
Is arrhythmia dangerous?
Not always. Sometimes arrhythmia is bothersome but benign. Sometimes it’s not noticeable at all. In other cases, arrhythmia can signal a heart attack. If you or someone you are with experiences sudden changes in heart rhythm along with chest pain, nausea, fainting or difficulty speaking, it’s time to see a doctor without delay.
The most dangerous type of abnormal heart rhythm involves the lower chambers or the heart. Known as ventricular fibrillation, or VF, this sort of abnormal rhythm can lead to chronic heart failure and other serious cardiac events. To know more about arrhythmia, find stellar info from Abbott EP.
Things you can do to lower your risk of abnormal heart rhythm
If you smoke tobacco, stop. Cigarette smoke is a leading cause of heart disease, so avoid all sources of secondhand smoke, as well.
If you are overweight, lose those excess pounds with a healthful, balanced diet and exercise. A lighter diet low in fat can go a long way toward reducing your risk of arrhythmia.
Move around more. When you go shopping, park at the far end of the parking lot and enjoy a brisk walk to and from the store entrance. When presented with the option of an elevator or stairs, take the stairs. Put on your favorite music and dance every day.
Learn to relax. Yoga, biofeedback and transcendental meditation may help you lower your chances of suffering episodes of abnormal heart rhythm.
Restrict your intake of caffeine. Likewise limit your intake of alcoholic beverages to no more than two drinks per day.
Stay away from stressful situations. Fear, anger and anxiety can easily lead to abnormal cardiac rhythm patterns.
Visit your doctor regularly. If your partner complains that you snore a lot, get yourself tested for sleep apnea. The condition, which causes a person to ‘hold their breath’ and then gasp for air, can cause arrhythmic symptoms.
If you notice changes to the rhythm of your heartbeat, try not to panic. In most cases, a skipped beat or an extra beat now and then is not a big problem. Still, it’s an excellent idea to keep your physician apprised of any strange rhythm changes.
Joshua Dean is a cardiologist. He enjoys sharing his insights by posting online. You can find his articles mostly on health blogs.
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