What is Arrhythmia and How Can You Fight It?
Inside our body, some organs work together so that we can function well. Our body is like a company with many employees working together with one goal: live healthily. One of the most hardworking organs inside our body is the heart. It pumps every day to supply essential blood. It is also one of our body's most delicate parts; that is why it is enclosed inside the ribcage for protection.
Certain diets are followed to support the heart's function because it determines how long an individual can live. The heart has a rhythm of its beating, which is considered normal. But what will you do if your heart suddenly beats too fast or too slow? This condition is called arrhythmia, and it seeks medical attention.
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What is Arrhythmia?
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), arrhythmia is a heartbeat rate or rhythm problem. They added that a heartbeat too fast is called tachycardia, and when it beats too slow, it is called bradycardia. American Heart Association (AHA) also added that electrical impulses might happen too fast, too slowly, or unpredictably causing the abnormal heartbeat. Mayo Clinic further said that this condition may feel like fluttering or racing heart and may be harmless. However, they added that sometimes it might be bothersome and life-threatening. AHA mentioned the different heart arrhythmia types are Atrial Fibrillation, Bradycardia, Conduction Disorders, Premature Contraction, Ventricular Fibrillation, and Tachycardia.
Symptoms and Treatments
NIHLB mentioned that arrhythmia is caused by changes in the heart tissue and can suddenly result from the force of stress, blood inequities, medications, or problems with the electrical signals in the heart. AHA added that heart arrhythmia could express a broad range of manifestations and may differ from the type an individual is experiencing. They added that when arrhythmia lasts long enough to impact the heart's performance, serious symptoms may develop, such as fatigue, fainting, shortness of breath, sudden cardiac arrest, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and chest pain.
Apart from these diseases' seriousness, do not worry because modern technology can support heart arrhythmia patients. Various devices also help in monitoring the heartbeat. According to the National Health Service (NHS), arrhythmia is treated depending on the heartbeat's speed. They added that treatment for arrhythmia includes medication, cardioversion where electricity is used to shock the heart back into normal rhythm, and implant pacemakers, which produce electrical signals to help the heartbeat be in a normal state. They also added that Catheter ablation might be used as a treatment for the condition.
How to lessen your risk
After reading this, I'm sure you do not want to have arrhythmia, and you are probably thinking of taking extra care of your heart. According to India Times, living a heart-healthy lifestyle will reduce the risk of the said condition. Winchester Hospital also added that controlling stress may also be a key in preventing yourself from having heart arrhythmia. India Times highlights that avoiding smoking, staying physically fit and active and limiting caffeine and alcohol intake can help reduce the risk of having a devastating condition.
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Nov 26, 2020 08:00 PM EST
