Heart rhythm disturbances, also called arrhythmia, have unpleasant effects and can be quite frightening. There are various causes for cardiac arrhythmias and sometimes they can be quite harmless. However, they can also lead to cardiac arrest, so it is important to determine what causes the cardiac arrhythmia and possibly do something about it. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder. The GP can do the initial examination and possibly refer you to a cardiologist.
Cardiac arrhythmias
- Normal heart rhythm
- What is a cardiac arrhythmia?
- Some types of cardiac arrhythmias
- Atrial fibrillation
- Possible symptoms of a rhythm disorder
- Possible causes of cardiac arrhythmia
- Cardiac arrhythmias, dangerous or not?
- Possible treatments for cardiac arrhythmias
Normal heart rhythm
The heart pumps the blood in our body. Normally the heart does this at a regular pace, on average at a rhythm of sixty to seventy beats per minute. At rest, during sleep, the pace decreases and with exertion it can increase to one hundred and eighty beats per minute. The sinus node provides an electrical stimulus that causes the atria and then the chambers of the heart to contract.
What is a cardiac arrhythmia?
If the heart rhythm is disturbed because the electrical stimulus is abnormal, the heartbeat may become irregular, speed up or be too slow. This is an arrhythmia or heart rhythm disorder.
Some types of cardiac arrhythmias
- Tachycardia ; a resting heart rate above one hundred beats per minute
- Bradycardia ; A heart rate that is much too low, below fifty beats per minute
- Atrial fibrillation ; The atria do not contract properly because the electrical stimulus has become a chaotic vibration
- Bosom fluttering ; The atria contract more often than normal
Atrial fibrillation
The most common cardiac arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation. About 1/4 of the residents of the Netherlands will experience it at least once in their lives. Atrial fibrillation often causes symptoms such as fatigue and palpitations and increases the risk of having a stroke because blood clots form in the heart. Treatment can take place with medication , with catheter ablation , in which a catheter is advanced to the heart via the groin vein, after which small burn spots are made to better regulate the electrical currents that cause the heart to contract, or with a mini maze operation , in which a keyhole operation is performed. burn spots are applied on a more extensive scale, whereby the electrical current can only flow via one path. The latter treatment has a fairly high success rate.
Possible symptoms of a rhythm disorder
- Palpitations
- Skipping of the heart rhythm
- pounding heart
- Pain or pressure in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Perspiration
- Dizziness
- Hyperventilation
- Losing consciousness
Possible causes of cardiac arrhythmia
- Congenital or hereditary arrhythmia
- Atrial fibrillation due to old age
- Atrial fibrillation due to excessive use of coffee, drugs, alcohol
- Overactivity of the thyroid gland
- Conditions that affect heart valves or the heart such as endocarditis, myocarditis and acute rheumatism
- Medicines such as digitalis, water tablets and antidepressants can cause cardiac arrhythmias
- Dehydration, potassium deficiency or other electrolyte abnormality
- After a heart attack, due to damage to heart tissue
Cardiac arrhythmias, dangerous or not?
A cardiac arrhythmia can cause cardiac arrest. Atrial fibrillation can cause blood clots to form in the atria, which can result in a stroke. It is therefore always wise to consult your doctor in case of cardiac arrhythmias. The GP can decide whether further examination by a cardiologist is necessary.
Possible treatments for cardiac arrhythmias
Which treatment is applied depends on the cause and severity of the cardiac arrhythmia. Some treatments are;
- Medication
- Pacemaker, if your heart rate is too low
- Electrocardioversion, giving an electrical impulse with a defibrillator.
- Ablation, the elimination of an arrhythmia by freezing or overheating with the aid of an electrode catheter.
- Implanting an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator), in case the heart chambers no longer contract. If necessary, this delivers an electric shock to the heart.
read more
- Heart valve abnormalities; causes, complaints and treatment
- Electro-cardioversion, treatment for cardiac arrhythmias
