You may have heard the term “cardiac arrhythmias” before, but do you know what it means? Do you know how they’re treated?
Cardiac arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Left untreated, they can lead to heart failure or even sudden death. While there are a variety of different arrhythmias, many of them can be treated with medication and/or surgery.
Let’s take a closer look at cardiac arrhythmias, including the different types and how they’re treated.
Table Of Contents
Overview of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cardiac arrhythmias are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. They can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or in an irregular pattern.
Many different things can cause cardiac arrhythmias, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and certain medications. Some arrhythmias are mild and don’t cause any problems, but others can be quite serious and lead to heart failure or even sudden death.
There are a variety of treatments available for cardiac arrhythmias, depending on the cause and severity of the problem. Some common treatments include medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes.
Treatment of Cardiac Arrhythmias
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Treatment for cardiac arrhythmias usually involves medications or surgery. Medications may include beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiarrhythmic drugs.
Beta Blockers
These are the medicines that slow down the heart beat little. This allows the signals from one chamber of heart to reach the other with a comparatively less speed that give time to the muscles to work efficiently.
Anticoagulants
Your doctor may recommend an anticoagulant based on your personal risk of developing blood clots, which can then result in a stroke (blood thinner). These drugs prevent blood clots from forming and prevent existing clots from growing larger. Taking an anticoagulant does, of course, raise the risk of bleeding, so having a specific conversation with your doctor is essential. As your health changes, decisions may need to be reviewed.
Surgical procedures
If medications don’t work, surgery may be necessary. This may involve the implantation of a pacemaker or an ablation procedure to destroy the abnormal electrical pathways in the heart. Many surgical procedures are followed if the medication are no working. But for that we need a correct diagnosis and treatment plan to work on. Following surgical procedures may be observed
- Installation of a pace maker
- Cardioversion
- Ablation
- Coronary bypass
Prevention
It is far more important to prevent disease than to seek treatment for it. The prevention of any cardiac disease is similar, but those for cardiac arrhythmias should be closely monitored. The following are some precautions you should take.
- Stop smoking: If you are a smoker, stop immediately. Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart failure because it damages the lungs and taints the blood that circulates in the heart.
- Morning walk: You should always go for a morning walk because the fresh air and adequate amount of oxygen present in the morning air opens your lungs more efficiently.
- Lower cholesterol: Our diets are high in oils and fat. To keep your heart healthy, limit your consumption of oily foods. Fast food with fried meat should be avoided as well.
- Regular checkups: Everyone should see their doctor on a regular basis to ensure that their systems are in good working order.
Consult a doctor
If you are experiencing arrhythmias often, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Get a complete diagnosis and save your heart from any more damage.
You can consult Dr. Zamir A. Siddiqui, one of the leading cardiologists in Pakistan, for your complain. Find the best cardiologist in Lahore and all across Pakistan on oladoc.