Arrhythmia

Overview

An irregular heartbeat is referred to as a heart arrhythmia. Heart rhythm issues occur when the electrical signals that coordinate the heart's beats malfunction. Because of the faulty signalling, the heart beats too quickly (tachycardia), too slowly (bradycardia), or irregularly. Heart arrhythmias, which can feel like a fluttering or racing heart, are usually harmless. However, some heart arrhythmias can be bothersome and, in some cases, life-threatening.

Signs and Symptoms of Arrhythmia: Patient may experience one or more of the symptoms mentioned below:-

• Palpitation 
• Tachycardia- A racing heartbeat
• Bradycardia- A slow heartbeat
• Chest discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Sweating
• Fainting 

Causes of Arrhythmia:

Some of the major causes of Arrhythmia include – Coronary heart disease, congenital heart disease, diabetes, Hypertension, sleep amnea, excess alcohol consumption, smoking, stress or anxiety, hypothyroidism, drug abuse and genetics.

Diagnosis - The doctor (cardiac arrhythmia specialists) will usually perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms to diagnose a heart arrhythmia. Tests may be performed to confirm an abnormal heartbeat and to look for conditions that can cause arrhythmias, such as heart disease or thyroid disease. Some important investigations to diagnose heart arrhythmia include- ECG/EKG, Holter Monitoring test, Coronary Angiography, Cardiac CT scan and MRI, Echocardiogram, implantable Loop Recorder Electrophysiological study and stress test

Treatment- Treatment for heart arrhythmias differs depending on whether you have a fast (tachycardia) or slow heartbeat (bradycardia). Some arrhythmias of the heart do not require treatment. Heart Arrhythmia Specialists (Cardiologists) may advise you to have regular checkups to monitor your condition.

Treatment for heart arrhythmias is usually only required if the irregular heartbeat is causing significant symptoms or if the condition puts you at risk of developing more serious heart problems. Medication, therapies such as vagal manoeuvres, cardioversion, catheter procedures, or heart surgery may be used to treat heart arrhythmias. The following procedures and surgeries are used to treat heart arrhythmias:

• Medication - The medications used to treat heart arrhythmias vary according to the type of arrhythmia and potential complications.  For example, most people with tachycardia are prescribed drugs to control their heart rate and restore a normal heart rhythm. Blood thinners may be prescribed if you have atrial fibrillation to prevent blood clots. To reduce the risk of complications, it is critical that you take your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Catheter ablation- The Arrhythmia doctors thread one or more catheters through the blood vessels to the heart during this procedure. Electrodes at the catheter tips use heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in your heart, obstructing abnormal electrical signals and restoring normal heartbeat.
• Pacemaker- If slow heartbeats (bradycardias) do not have a treatable cause; doctors frequently treat them with a pacemaker because no medications can reliably speed up the heart.
• Maze procedure- A surgeon uses the maze procedure to create a pattern (or maze) of scar tissue by making a series of incisions in the heart tissue in the upper half of your heart (atria). Scar tissue doesn't conduct electricity, thus it gets in the way of stray electrical impulses, which might induce arrhythmia.
• Coronary bypass surgery- Your doctor may recommend coronary bypass surgery if you have significant coronary artery disease and a cardiac arrhythmia. The blood flow to your heart may be improved as a result of this surgery.

Aakash Healthcare's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery department is a tertiary care facility with cutting-edge equipment that provides cardiac care programmes to patients. End-stage heart failure patients can also benefit from procedures such as pacemakers, ACDs, CRTs, heart hole surgeries (ASD, VSD, PDA), paediatric cardiac surgery, angioplasty/angiography, and more.

If you any question about Atrial Fibrillation Specialists, or Arrhythmia specialist, or if you are looking for best Arrhythmia doctors, or any other query related to Arrhythmia, book an appointment at Aakash Healthcare today.