Arrhythmia
We tend to take our hearts for granted. Often the only time we actually remember that we have a beating heart which is solely responsible for keeping us alive, is when we feel that flutter in our chest, which may make us gasp for breath momentarily. This is a typical Arrhythmic episode and may only last for a few seconds or minutes, and following this, we carry on with our lives as usual, with the memory of the incident quickly fading into obscurity.
What is Arrhythmia?
The definition of Arrhythmia is that it is any abnormal heart rhythm, where the heart may beat either very slowly, very fast, or with a seemingly random beating rate. The heart beats because electrical signals are sent from a natural pacemaker, also known as a Sinoatrial Node or Sinus Node, which is part of the heart. This electrical impulse is transmitted within the heart muscle through special electrical cells. The effect is to make the heart muscle contract, which is the basic mechanism which causes the blood to flow throughout the body.
However, these signals can be interrupted for a number of different reasons, and the result is an abnormal heart rhythm as a result of the delay of these electrical signals on their way through the heart. Alternatively, the electrical messages may arrive from a different part of the heart, instead of the natural pacemaker.
Symptoms of Arrhythmia, or Heart Arrhythmia
If the heart rate is very fast, very slow, or irregular, it can make it more difficult for the heart to pump blood around the body.
Abnormal electrical impulses associated with Arrhythmia
Some of the symptoms of Arrhythmia are as follows :-
- heart beat like a thumping sensation
- missing heart beats
- heart beat racing or beating faster than normal
- feeling of dizziness
- feeling of tiredness
- feeling out of breath
- collapsing
What causes Arrhythmia?
Most people have an occasional extra, or missed heartbeat, usually without noticing it. Excessive stress, lack of sleep and stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine, increase the risk of arrhythmias, as can medications, such as decongestants and alcohol. Continue reading