Additionally, radiofrequency catheter ablation is useful for some lethal arrhythmias but most case should be considered for implantation of ICD. Recently, upstream approach to arrhythmia has been emphasized and recognized as a preventive method for lethal arrhythmias. Abstract Life threatening arrhythmias may cause sudden cardiac death and are divided into bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias.
If ventricular tachycardia persists, it can be deadly. This is because your ventricles do not have enough time to fill with blood and pump it out to all the organs and tissue in your body. Another potentially fatal arrhythmia is a heart block. This occurs when the electrical signals from the upper chambers of your heart cannot travel to the lower chambers. A high-grade heart block is the most severe form of heart block. This can happen for many reasons.
If the heart is in asystole, defibrillation will not restore cardiac signal, but CPR may help. Asystole is often fatal, especially if it occurs outside a hospital setting.
An accurate arrhythmia diagnosis requires a heart monitor to record the atypical rhythm. This is usually done with an electrocardiogram ECG. An ECG involves the use of electrodes placed on your chest and attached by wires to a computer that records the rhythm of your heart and displays it on a screen. This may detect when an atypical rhythm develops in your heart. But in less serious cases of other arrhythmias, an ECG, as well as a measure of your blood pressure and pulse rate, can help a medical expert make an accurate diagnosis.
Read this article for more information about how cardiac arrhythmias are diagnosed. Some mild arrhythmias may require no treatment. Other arrhythmias may be treated with medication, implantable medical devices, or other surgeries. The goal of treatment is to restore a steady heart rhythm. In addition to medication, treatment options for potentially lethal arrhythmia may include the following:. If healthy heart function can be restored in people with cardiac arrhythmia, a healthcare professional may recommend an implantable medical device.
There are two main types of these used to treat arrhythmias:. In emergency and life threatening situations where an arrhythmia is present, two types of external electrical treatment may be used:.
Another common procedure to treat serious arrhythmias is called cardiac ablation. In this procedure, the doctor inserts a catheter in a blood vessel and guides it to the suspected source of the abnormal rhythm. Then a small burst of radiofrequency energy is sent from the tip of the catheter to destroy the cells that may be causing the condition.
Many risk factors can trigger arrhythmia. Deadly heart rhythms often develop when your heart has been damaged by a heart attack or other serious condition, such as:. Other conditions that do not directly affect your heart but can cause cardiac complications, such as serious arrhythmias, include:. An arrhythmia can sometimes be so mild, no treatment is necessary. But any atypical heart rhythm has the potential to be life threatening. Proper management with the help of an electrophysiologist , who is a cardiologist specializing in heart rhythm disturbances, is advised.
Speak with your doctor if you have any symptoms, such as the feeling that your heart is not beating as it should. An ECG or other heart monitor may provide life-saving information about your heart rhythms. An early diagnosis may help you avoid sudden cardiac arrest, stroke, or other lethal complications. Arrhythmia and dysrhythmia both refer to conditions that affect the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. Arrhythmia is the more commonly used term. Arrhythmia is sometimes inherited.
We explain the genetics of inherited cardiac arrhythmia, including causes, diagnosis, treatment, and more. Researchers found a link between severe burnout — also known as vital exhaustion — and the risk of developing atrial fibrillation AFib. Ventricular fibrillation is another ineffectual heart rhythm where the heart beats with erratic, rapid electrical impulses. These chaotic electrical signals cause the ventricles to essentially quiver rather than pump blood to the rest of the body.
Ventricular Fibrillation. Ventricular Tachycardia. Sinus Rhythm. Symptoms and Diagnosis of Arrhythmia. It is a simple and common procedure in which electrodes are attached to the bare chest. These electrodes relay electrical signals from the heart to a machine that then displays graphed patterns on a monitor for easy analysis. Holter monitors are useful for patients with transient symptoms or cardiac arrhythmias that may be difficult to detect during a shorter period of time.
Event monitors specifically record the heart rhythm when activated during symptomatic episodes. Patch monitors sit directly on the chest and collect ECG data for up to 14 days. Stress Test: This test, also known as a treadmill or exercise test, is performed to assess heart function and diagnose potential arrhythmias during physical activity on a treadmill or stationary bike. To better visualize blood flow and heart function, patients might also receive a nuclear stress test where they receive a small and safe amount of radioactive tracer.
If a patient cannot exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike, they may also be given pharmacological agents to simulate cardiac stress. Electrophysiologic Testing EP Study : During an EP study, electrode catheters are temporarily threaded through the peripheral veins or arteries and they enter the heart while patients are under local anesthesia.
This recording provides a highly-detailed map of the cardiac electrical impulses during each heartbeat. Tilt Table Test: For patients who often feel faint or dizzy, a tilt table test can help determine whether those feelings are due to an abnormal heart rate or blood pressure. During this exam, patients lie on a rotating table that raises their head 60 to 80 degrees from a horizontal lying position. This movement and positioning intends to trigger symptoms while patients are being monitored.
Treatment of Arrhythmia. Lifestyle changes: It is important to have a healthy diet reduce your risk of heart disease at any age. Physicians may advise patients to adopt lifestyle changes that mitigate the risk of worsening an arrhythmia.
Some suggestions include eating healthy diets, cessation of smoking, and stress management. Medications: A host of medicines can be administered carefully to treat abnormal rhythms. Of course, caution and proper diagnosis should be taken when administering these or any drugs. Some common drugs that can be used to treat arrhythmia are described in the table below. Medication How it works Beta blockers By binding to adrenoreceptors, these drugs reduce heart rate and the strength of heart muscle contraction.
Ion channel blockers These drugs change the electrolyte balance of calcium, sodium, magnesium, or potassium in the cardiac cells and reset electrical conduction pathways to normal. Blood thinners By reducing the propensity of blood to clot, blood thinners lower the risk of blockages that may cause heart attacks and strokes. Common surgical procedures and implants include: Cardioversion : Cardioversion involves the use of synchronized electrical shocks to stabilize an irregular heartbeat, often atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.
Unlike defibrillation used to treat patients during cardiac arrest, cardioversion is administered to patients who still have a pulse. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator ICD : This device is inserted surgically under the skin and continuously monitors the electrical impulses of the heart. If there is an abnormal heart rhythm, a corrective electrical impulse is sent to the heart to stabilize the heartbeat. Patients who go into sudden cardiac arrest often receive an ICD which you can learn more about here.
Pacemakers : A pacemaker is implanted in the abdomen and chest with electrical connection to the heart that enables it to monitor and stabilize the heart rate by producing electrical impulses to counteract problematic electrical signals.
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