Heart palpitations -- an unusual awareness of the heartbeat -- is an extremely common symptom. Most people who complain of palpitations describe them either as “skips” in the heartbeat (that is, a pause, often followed by a particularly strong beat,) or as periods of rapid and irregular heartbeats.
While many people with palpitations can ignore them, others find them extremely disturbing and frightening, and often worry that they are about to die at any moment. Fortunately, the vast majority of palpitations are not associated with life threatening heart rhythm disturbances.
When a patient complains to a doctor about palpitations, it becomes the doctor’s obligation to do two things: a) identify the cause of the palpitations, and b) provide optimal treatment for that cause.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Various Types of Cardiac Arrhythmias
While there are many types of cardiac arrhythmias, they can be divided into four general groups, which you can read about here:
"extra" heart beats, known as premature atrial complexes (PACs) or premature ventricular complexes (PVCs)
bradycardias, or arrhythmias that make the heart rhythm too slow
tachycardias, or arrhythmias that make the heart rhythm too fast. One of the most common tachyarrhythmias is atrial fibrillation.
disorders affecting the bundle branches, referred to as bundle branch block, or BBB. While BBB is not strictly a cardiac arrhythmia (since it's not really the heart rhythm, but instead the pattern of conduction of the electrical signal that is disordered in BBB), cardiologists usually lump it in with the heart rhythm disturbances, so we will do the same.
"extra" heart beats, known as premature atrial complexes (PACs) or premature ventricular complexes (PVCs)
bradycardias, or arrhythmias that make the heart rhythm too slow
tachycardias, or arrhythmias that make the heart rhythm too fast. One of the most common tachyarrhythmias is atrial fibrillation.
disorders affecting the bundle branches, referred to as bundle branch block, or BBB. While BBB is not strictly a cardiac arrhythmia (since it's not really the heart rhythm, but instead the pattern of conduction of the electrical signal that is disordered in BBB), cardiologists usually lump it in with the heart rhythm disturbances, so we will do the same.
Heart rhythm problem.
It's with you your entire life, yet you probably don't notice it much: your heartbeat. When normal, the heartbeat is nice and regular, and has just the right rate. But when things aren't quite right -- when the heartbeat is too fast or too slow, or just too irregular -- it's known as a cardiac arrhythmia (heart rhythm problem), which is among the most common of the heart disorders.
Most people, in fact, have occasional cardiac arrhythmias. The significance of cardiac arrhythmias can vary tremendously. Many arrhythmias are completely benign and inconsequential, while others are extremely dangerous and life-threatening. Here you will find an overview on heart rhythm problems, including the types of heart arrhythmias, the symptoms they cause, how they are evaluated, and how they are treated.
Most people, in fact, have occasional cardiac arrhythmias. The significance of cardiac arrhythmias can vary tremendously. Many arrhythmias are completely benign and inconsequential, while others are extremely dangerous and life-threatening. Here you will find an overview on heart rhythm problems, including the types of heart arrhythmias, the symptoms they cause, how they are evaluated, and how they are treated.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sinus arrhythmia...
...is what can be defined as the anxious state of the slowing down of the heart while breathing out or during expiration and increasing of the heart beat while inhaling or during inspiration. This abnormality could prove to be dangerous and if remained uncured might as well lead to the death of the patient.
So if you ask. 'What is sinus arrhythmia?' then there are other things too associated with it. However, a sinus arrhythmia certainly does not mean that an individual is suffering from an unwarranted disease, especially no heart disease as such. Many arrhythmias, particularly arrhythmia is found to take place in people who do not have the least symptom or inkling of any heart disease. In most of the cases, even if an arrhythmia is found to exist alongside a heart disease, it is in all likely possibility that the patient will likely die of the heart disease than of the arrhythmia, particularly sinus arrhythmia.
And a word of caution when you say,'What is sinus arrhythmia?', that sinus bradycardia is not the same as sinus arrhythmia. The symptoms of both the forms of heart-beat irregularities are divergent and the manifestations are different. Sinus arrhythmia affects the vagus nerve which is responsible for activating the nervous system-triggered parasympathetic input which regulates the heart beat. This systematic failure of the medulla oblongata results in the condition which is termed as sinus arrhythmia. To put it in simple words, the vagus nerve is left unstimulated resulting in the wrong signals to the heart and the subsequent decline in pitch of the heart rate. This is what is sinus arrhythmia.
Sinus arrhythmia is the most common form of arrhythmia that occurs in middle-aged adults. With the advent of age, the conditions of arrhythmia increases. The symptoms exuded include dizziness or light-headedness, feeling of breathlessness. Patients are almost certain that their heart skipped a beat and a feeling of abnormal giddiness overcomes them. Such symptoms are commonplace and should not be confused with the exceptional cases that occur in the course of your lifetime. But if you see a pattern in the irregularities, then the situation demands immediate concern or attention. I hope you got your answer to these question, 'What is sinus arrhythmia?'
So if you ask. 'What is sinus arrhythmia?' then there are other things too associated with it. However, a sinus arrhythmia certainly does not mean that an individual is suffering from an unwarranted disease, especially no heart disease as such. Many arrhythmias, particularly arrhythmia is found to take place in people who do not have the least symptom or inkling of any heart disease. In most of the cases, even if an arrhythmia is found to exist alongside a heart disease, it is in all likely possibility that the patient will likely die of the heart disease than of the arrhythmia, particularly sinus arrhythmia.
And a word of caution when you say,'What is sinus arrhythmia?', that sinus bradycardia is not the same as sinus arrhythmia. The symptoms of both the forms of heart-beat irregularities are divergent and the manifestations are different. Sinus arrhythmia affects the vagus nerve which is responsible for activating the nervous system-triggered parasympathetic input which regulates the heart beat. This systematic failure of the medulla oblongata results in the condition which is termed as sinus arrhythmia. To put it in simple words, the vagus nerve is left unstimulated resulting in the wrong signals to the heart and the subsequent decline in pitch of the heart rate. This is what is sinus arrhythmia.
Sinus arrhythmia is the most common form of arrhythmia that occurs in middle-aged adults. With the advent of age, the conditions of arrhythmia increases. The symptoms exuded include dizziness or light-headedness, feeling of breathlessness. Patients are almost certain that their heart skipped a beat and a feeling of abnormal giddiness overcomes them. Such symptoms are commonplace and should not be confused with the exceptional cases that occur in the course of your lifetime. But if you see a pattern in the irregularities, then the situation demands immediate concern or attention. I hope you got your answer to these question, 'What is sinus arrhythmia?'
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tachycardia...
...can cause various heart-related problems like myocardial infarction, angina and ischemic heart disease. Some of the causes of tachycardia are as follows: Heart problems are a major cause of tachycardia. Many heart conditions result in the heart beating fast. Often it is a vicious cycle with one heart condition leading to another.
• High blood pressure for an extended period of time can result in tachycardia. Usually people suffering from hypertension have high blood pressure and this causes the heart to work overtime. The heart is unable to pump sufficient amounts of oxygen rich blood and as result tachycardia develops.
• Even disease related to the valves of the heart can cause the heart to beat fast. Usually in this case the valves of the heart tend to leak and this causes abnormal pressure on the ventricles. This, in turn, causes the heart to start beating fast.
• Inflammation of the heart muscle or lining of the heart can cause the heart to beat fast. Usually this problem comes with other symptoms like shortness of breath and/or pain in the chest.
Food habits and lifestyle also play a big role in causing tachycardia. People who eat food that is rich in cholesterol end up suffering from a condition known as atherosclerosis. Here the walls of the arteries get choked by fatty deposits, which narrow the arteries. As a result, the heart has to pump harder and faster to push blood. Stress, eating food that is high or low in sodium, illegal drugs and narcotics and drinking too much alcohol or coffee can also lead to tachycardia.
Certain diseases like hyperthyroidism, pulmonary embolism, emphysema and pneumonia, or taking certain medication and suddenly altering the dosage dramatically can also cause tachycardia.
• High blood pressure for an extended period of time can result in tachycardia. Usually people suffering from hypertension have high blood pressure and this causes the heart to work overtime. The heart is unable to pump sufficient amounts of oxygen rich blood and as result tachycardia develops.
• Even disease related to the valves of the heart can cause the heart to beat fast. Usually in this case the valves of the heart tend to leak and this causes abnormal pressure on the ventricles. This, in turn, causes the heart to start beating fast.
• Inflammation of the heart muscle or lining of the heart can cause the heart to beat fast. Usually this problem comes with other symptoms like shortness of breath and/or pain in the chest.
Food habits and lifestyle also play a big role in causing tachycardia. People who eat food that is rich in cholesterol end up suffering from a condition known as atherosclerosis. Here the walls of the arteries get choked by fatty deposits, which narrow the arteries. As a result, the heart has to pump harder and faster to push blood. Stress, eating food that is high or low in sodium, illegal drugs and narcotics and drinking too much alcohol or coffee can also lead to tachycardia.
Certain diseases like hyperthyroidism, pulmonary embolism, emphysema and pneumonia, or taking certain medication and suddenly altering the dosage dramatically can also cause tachycardia.
The various forms of Sinus Arrhythmia are:
It is possible for sinus arrhythmia to strike at any age. Although, the condition is more common in the elderly striking most people after reaching the age of seventy. Sinus arrhythmia does not usually describe only one kind of heart rhythm difficulty, but several difficulties concerning various kinds of arrhythmias.
Our hearts naturally have a pacemaker which keeps it beating. The heart's pacemaker is found in the heart chamber on the upper right and is known as the sinus node. The sinus node produces electrical impulses continually throughout our lifetime. If the pattern is disrupted, the natural rhythm of our heartbeat can become erratic.
When a person is suffering with sinus arrhythmia, variations of heartbeats happen. Heartbeats can go from one abnormal pace to another. The heart may beat very slowly one minute, then suddenly pick up the pace, and possibly go into an extended pause mode before attempting to correct the problem.
* Tachycardia-bradycardia is a dangerous form of which forming a blood clot is most likely to occur. With this condition, the heart constantly beats between rhythms that are entirely too fast or extremely slow.
* Sinoatrial block problem is a type of sinus arrhythmia where electrical impulses in the sinus node are received much too slowly.
* With the condition known as Sinus Arrest, there are far too many pauses in heartbeats as though the heart rhythm may slowly come to a complete stop.
Early symptoms of sinus arrhythmias may probably go unnoticed. If you experience signs of erratic heartbeat rhythm disturbances, they are usually not consistent. However, over time as the condition progresses, you could experience some of the following warning signs:
* Dizziness
* Fainting
* Shortness of breath
* Memory Loss
* Angina
* Insomnia
* Tiredness
* Heart palpitations
If you are feeling ill and having any of these symptoms, visit your doctor. In diagnosing sinus arrhythmia the doctor will perform the following medical tests:
* Listen carefully with a stethoscope to your heartbeat for several minutes.
* An EKG which is an electrocardiogram will be done to check your heart patterns.
* A step further from an EKG for diagnosis, your physician or cardiologist may order a holter monitor test. You wear at all times while performing the testing. The monitor will record your heart rhythm patterns continually. The monitor is typically worn for up to 48 hours so that it gives an accurate assessment of rhythm patterns. Along with the monitor, you will keep a journal recording of anytime you feel strange or your heartbeat feels erratic. The physicians will analyze the data and compare the times when you may feel ill to the monitored heart patterns.
* An echo-cardiogram will also generally be done. This gives more details on the heart chambers as to their performance. The echo-cardiogram will clearly show any defects such as enlargement of the heart.
The danger of sinus arrhythmia is the formation of blood clots which can lead to strokes. This is why it is imperative for the doctor to prescribe medication to regulate your heartbeat or you may need to resort to a pacemaker.
Beta blockers along with a calcium channel blocker may help sinus arrhythmia. Both of these drugs help regulate the heart and stabilize blood pressure. However, if the drugs do not benefit you, chances are you may need to receive a pacemaker.
Our hearts naturally have a pacemaker which keeps it beating. The heart's pacemaker is found in the heart chamber on the upper right and is known as the sinus node. The sinus node produces electrical impulses continually throughout our lifetime. If the pattern is disrupted, the natural rhythm of our heartbeat can become erratic.
When a person is suffering with sinus arrhythmia, variations of heartbeats happen. Heartbeats can go from one abnormal pace to another. The heart may beat very slowly one minute, then suddenly pick up the pace, and possibly go into an extended pause mode before attempting to correct the problem.
* Tachycardia-bradycardia is a dangerous form of which forming a blood clot is most likely to occur. With this condition, the heart constantly beats between rhythms that are entirely too fast or extremely slow.
* Sinoatrial block problem is a type of sinus arrhythmia where electrical impulses in the sinus node are received much too slowly.
* With the condition known as Sinus Arrest, there are far too many pauses in heartbeats as though the heart rhythm may slowly come to a complete stop.
Early symptoms of sinus arrhythmias may probably go unnoticed. If you experience signs of erratic heartbeat rhythm disturbances, they are usually not consistent. However, over time as the condition progresses, you could experience some of the following warning signs:
* Dizziness
* Fainting
* Shortness of breath
* Memory Loss
* Angina
* Insomnia
* Tiredness
* Heart palpitations
If you are feeling ill and having any of these symptoms, visit your doctor. In diagnosing sinus arrhythmia the doctor will perform the following medical tests:
* Listen carefully with a stethoscope to your heartbeat for several minutes.
* An EKG which is an electrocardiogram will be done to check your heart patterns.
* A step further from an EKG for diagnosis, your physician or cardiologist may order a holter monitor test. You wear at all times while performing the testing. The monitor will record your heart rhythm patterns continually. The monitor is typically worn for up to 48 hours so that it gives an accurate assessment of rhythm patterns. Along with the monitor, you will keep a journal recording of anytime you feel strange or your heartbeat feels erratic. The physicians will analyze the data and compare the times when you may feel ill to the monitored heart patterns.
* An echo-cardiogram will also generally be done. This gives more details on the heart chambers as to their performance. The echo-cardiogram will clearly show any defects such as enlargement of the heart.
The danger of sinus arrhythmia is the formation of blood clots which can lead to strokes. This is why it is imperative for the doctor to prescribe medication to regulate your heartbeat or you may need to resort to a pacemaker.
Beta blockers along with a calcium channel blocker may help sinus arrhythmia. Both of these drugs help regulate the heart and stabilize blood pressure. However, if the drugs do not benefit you, chances are you may need to receive a pacemaker.
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