Arrhythmias

What it is?

It is known that with each heartbeat there is a sequential contraction of its parts - first the atria, and then the ventricles. Contractions follow each other at regular intervals. Arrhythmia is a violation of the frequency, rhythm and sequence of contractions of the heart. Statistics on heart disease and mortality show that heart rhythm disturbances, as a cause of death, account for about 10-15 percent of all heart diseases.

Why does this happen?

In a healthy person, arrhythmia can be triggered by heavy food, constipation, tight clothing, insect bites, certain medications, and stress. There is a high risk of developing arrhythmia in people with diabetes, especially if it is combined with obesity and high blood pressure.

Arrhythmias can also occur for more harmless reasons: for example, premenstrual syndrome in women is often accompanied by arrhythmias, heart pain, and a feeling of suffocation. A predisposition to arrhythmias can be inherited, or it can be a complication after heart surgery.

In addition, arrhythmia can be a symptom of a number of diseases:

1. hypertension,

2. heart defects, heart failure, coronary heart disease,

3. mitral valve prolapse,

4. thyroid diseases and a number of other hormonal disorders.

What's happening?

The coordination of the heart is ensured by a special conduction system of the heart. These are specialized cells that produce and conduct electrical impulses that direct the coordinated contraction of the heart muscle.

The impulse that triggers the contraction of the heart is produced in the right atrium, in the so-called sinus node (pacemaker). It is this node that is responsible for the fact that the heart contracts at a frequency of 60-90 beats per minute. The signal then spreads to the remaining atria, causing them to contract, and then to the ventricles.

Disturbances in this system lead to heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). Depending on where the disturbances occur, all arrhythmias are divided into atrial and ventricular.

If the pulse rate exceeds 90 beats per minute, they speak of tachycardia. The heart rate may increase during physical or emotional stress (this is a normal reaction of a healthy heart). An increase in body temperature also causes tachycardia.

If the pulse rate is less than 60 beats per minute, they speak of bradycardia. Bradycardia can also occur in absolutely healthy people. It is usually observed in athletes.

If a premature contraction is woven into the correct rhythm of heart contractions, they speak of extrasystole.

With one of the most common - atrial fibrillation - one of the phases of the cardiac cycle disappears, namely, atrial contraction.

There are also so-called paroxysmal rhythm disturbances (paroxysm - an attack, a sudden condition).

Diagnosis

Arrhythmia is not an independent disease, but a symptom of a disease. In principle, it can go away on its own. But if the arrhythmia persists for several hours or complications arise, you should immediately seek medical help.

The main symptoms of arrhythmia are the feeling of extra or missed heartbeats, too fast or slow heartbeat.

To determine the cause of arrhythmia, an arrhythmologist conducts an examination: ECG, ECG with