Arrhythmia symptoms

When a person talks about arrhythmia symptoms they are having they are talking about symptoms that are caused by a heart rate or heart beat that is abnormal. A normal heart rate is 70 beats per minute. However if you are an athlete your heart rate may even be a little slower than that and still be considered normal. Arrhythmias symptoms are caused when the heart’s electrical conduction system is damaged or confused. One of the most common causes for damaged or confusion in the electrical rhythm of the heart is a heart attack or coronary artery disease. Taking certain kinds of medications can also cause arrhythmias symptoms. For instance, if a higher than normal dose of antidepressants is taken it can cause a life-threatening arrhythmia to occur. People who take medication or hay fever can also develop a heart arrhythmia because of the medications they are taking.

Arrhythmias interfere with the filling up of the heart with its normal blood supply and the output as it pumps the blood out. One of the first arrhythmia symptoms a person may notice is feeling of dizziness or faintness. If the lungs are not getting into blood there will also be shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing. Other arrhythmia symptoms include heart palpitations. Heart palpitations can feel like the heart is beating either too fast or that it is beating irregularly. Not all palpitations are arrhythmias however, unless they are excessively fast or really irregular. Other arrhythmia symptoms include feeling poundings in your chest or a noticeable chest discomfort. The person with an arrhythmia may also feel weak or fatigued.

If you have a pre-existing condition where there is interference of blood supply to the heart or any damage caused by scarring to the heart tissue arrhythmia symptoms are common. The most common known cause of an arrhythmia is heart disease. Another cause can be a malfunctioning thyroid gland. Treatment for arrhythmias symptoms may or may not be necessary depending on the cause. Arrhythmia symptoms that are severe will definitely need treatment. Most people can manage mild arrhythmia symptoms usually with a few lifestyle changes. However if the arrhythmia is due to heart disease medical treatment by a trained cardiologist will be necessary. People who eat a heart healthy diet and get regular daily exercises can cut down on the occurrence of arrhythmias. Arrhythmia symptoms can also be reduced if the person stops smoking and drinking alcohol or using caffeine. The person with an arrhythmia should eat a low-fat high fiber diet and try to avoid stress and anxiety whenever possible. If medication is the cause of the arrhythmia the doctor may reduce the dosage or prescribe another type of medication for the patient. For instance, one type of antidepressant may cause arrhythmia symptoms which can be corrected by a different type of antidepressant medication. Hay fever medication also can cause heart arrhythmia symptoms in some people.

Certain medications are used to treat arrhythmias symptoms as well. The most commonly medication used to treat arrhythmias is digoxin. This medication will help the heart rate slowed down and help the heart increase the amount of blood it pumps out in fills with during each heartbeat. Anti-arrhythmia medications have dangerous side effects and must be used only under the supervision of your doctor. If your doctor has prescribed anti-arrhythmia medication and you are experiencing any new or unusual symptoms you should report them to your doctor immediately. Sometimes electric shock treatment can be used to shock the heart back into its normal rhythm. Pacemakers are also used as an electrical stimulus to cause he heart to beat faster if it is too slow.

Last updated on Sep 13th, 2010 and filed under Cardiovascular Disorders. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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