What is cardiac arrhythmia and how to treat it correctly

Cardiac arrhythmia - what is it and how to treat it? These questions worry many patients of the cardiology department after the conclusion of the diagnosis. Arrhythmia refers to disorders of the heart, expressed as a change in the normal heart rate. Arrhythmia can be both an independent disease and indicate the appearance and development of other pathologies of the body.

A change in heart rate can begin in both an adult and a child, depending on a number of reasons related to hereditary changes or lifestyle.

Classification of forms of the disease

• sinus tachycardia manifests itself as an increase in heart rate up to 90 beats per minute;
• sinus arrhythmia - an atypical alternation of heart rate, more common in middle-aged and adolescent children (heartbeat noticeably accelerates during inhalation and slows down during exhalation);
• sinus bradycardia is characterized by a decrease in heart rate to 55 beats per minute, as a rule, it manifests itself during sleep in people who are actively engaged in physical activity;
• paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is characterized by the absence of rhythm disturbance at a high heart rate. In the case of a pathology of this kind, there is a pronounced pallor of the skin, weakness, severe sweating, an increase in heart rate (heart rate) up to 240 beats per minute;
• paroxysmal tachycardia is also characterized by a high heart rate with the correct rhythm (the number of beats per minute in the range from 140 to 240 beats);
• extrasystole is also called "extraordinary" contraction of the heart;
• heart block - a pathology characterized by the cessation of the transmission of impulses throughout the myocardium, there is a stop in the pulse, loss of consciousness (in some cases, a convulsive syndrome is manifested).

Depending on the form of the disease, different approaches to the treatment of the patient are taken. Accurate diagnosis allows you to determine the patient's condition and take the necessary measures in a timely manner.

Sudden attacks of arrhythmia in women are characterized by a more pronounced panic attack, but are much less life-threatening than the same condition in men.

Features of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common form of the disease found in humans. The peculiarity of the pathology is the reduction and excitation of individual sections of the atrium.

• permanent arrhythmia;
• proximal arrhythmia.

Proximal arrhythmia is characterized by the appearance of seizures of various durations.

1. Tachysystolic atrial fibrillation with heart rate over 90 beats per minute.
2. Normosystolic atrial fibrillation with a heart rate ranging from 60 to 90 beats per minute.
3. Bradysystolic atrial fibrillation with a heart rate of not more than 60 beats per minute.

During an electrocardiogram diagnosis, the result does not display a P wave.

Symptoms of the appearance

The clinical picture of the disease has different characteristics depending on the form of the disease. However, there is a list of common signs that occur in all cases of cardiac arrhythmia.

• feeling of suffocation;
• signs of angina;
• dizziness;
• body weakness;
• loss of consciousness;
• cardiogenic shock.

In addition to possible general signs, it is worth highlighting specific symptoms related to one form or another of arrhythmia.

1. In the case of atrial fibrillation, a frequent heartbeat with a disturbed rhythm appears.
2. In the case of sinus arrhythmia, there is an unpleasant sensation in the region of the cardiac organ and temporary stops in the work of the heart.
3. If a patient develops extrasystole, fading, tremors, interruptions in rhythm appear in the work of the heart.
4. With sinus tachycardia, there is a sensation of a heartbeat.
5. In the case of paroxysmal tachycardia, sudden attacks of increased heart rate appear in the range from 140 to 220 beats per minute.
6. In the case of sinus bradycardia or sick sinus syndrome, there is a loss of consciousness or severe dizziness.

Causes

The main causal causes of arrhythmias are physical disorders of the circulatory organ or pathology of the nervous system. In addition, the disease is often a sign of the development of severe disorders in the body.

• cardiac ischemia;
• myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle);
• cardiopsychoneurosis;
• pathology in the thyroid gland;
• heart disease;
• mechanical injury;
• cardiomyopathy (primary damage to the heart muscle);
• hypertension (increased blood pressure);
• pregnancy;
• consequences of operations.

However, there are reasons that can be attributed to factors that increase the likelihood of developing the disease.

Provoking factors:

1. Abuse of energy drinks and caffeinated drinks.
2. Smoking.
3. Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
4. The use of drugs.
5. High susceptibility to stress.
6. Intensified physical activity.
7. Metabolism disorder.
8. Overweight.
9. Diseases of the adrenal glands.
10. Heart diseases.
11. Disorders in the work of the thyroid gland.
12. Bacterial or fungal infection.
13. Climax.
14. Diabetes.
15. Neoplasms in the region of the brain.

If the true cause of the appearance of the pathology cannot be determined, the arrhythmia is classified as idiopathic.

Causes of arrhythmia in children

Causes of heart rate disturbances in childhood include:

• Congenital heart defect;
• acquired heart disease;
• operations performed on the heart;
• tumors of the tissues of the heart organ;
• mechanical damage;
• angina;
• pneumonia;
• bronchitis;
• sepsis;
• rheumatism;
• diphtheria;
• pathologies associated with violations of the course of pregnancy of the mother;
• vegetovascular dystonia;
• disorders of the thyroid gland;
• blood diseases.

Diagnostics

After the first signs of arrhythmia appear, you should undergo an examination of the cardiovascular system as soon as possible to identify the cause of the pathology.

1. Listening to the heart.
2. Electrocardiogram.

If the violation has a non-permanent manifestation, rhythm registration is used for 24 hours using fixed sensors, this method is called Holter monitoring.

• physical load on the body;
• mapping;
• electrophysiological study;
• test using an inclined table.

After identifying the cause and form of the pathology, the doctor may prescribe special procedures for the patient to improve the patient's condition.

Treatment

The method of treating pathology depends on the general condition of the patient after diagnosis or hospitalization in the hospital, the cause and form of the violation of the heart.

• medication;
• surgical;
• diet food;
• traditional medicine methods;
• breathing exercises;
• acupressure of the heart;
• homeopathic methods.

For therapeutic measures with the help of medicines are used:

1. Verapamil or Diltiazem (blockers that act on calcium channels).
2. Metoprolol, Bisoprolol, Atenolol (beta-blockers).
3. Cordarone, Sotohexal (blockers that act on potassium channels).
4. Novokainomide, Lidocaine (blockers that act on sodium channels).

There is also a classification of drugs used depending on the form of arrhythmia.

Classification of drugs due to the type of disease:

• with extrasystole, sedatives (Belloid), atropine and potassium, intravenous administration of Lidocaine are used;
• with sinus bradycardia, the installation of a pacemaker and the use of drugs to expand blood vessels (Actovegin, Trental, Eufillin) are used;
• with sinus tachycardia, sedatives, beta-blockers, cardiac glycosides and vitamin complexes for the heart are prescribed;
• with atrial fibrillation, both surgical and drug treatment is used with the help of Propranolol, Digoxin, Quinidine, Coumadin is also used;
• with asystole, the introduction of potassium chloride or lidocaine is used.

If the use of medications does not help or their actions are initially considered an insufficient measure, it is possible to use surgical intervention in the work of the cardiac apparatus.

Most often, surgery is used in cases of the onset of changes in the muscle tissue of the heart.

• pacing (implantation of a pacemaker into the heart tissue);
• catheter radiofrequency ablation (cauterization of individual tissue sections);
• implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator (implantation of the device allows you to resume excitability in the tissues and the natural heart rhythm in the event of a sudden stop in the work of the organ).

Diet for arrhythmia

It has been noted that problems with normal heart rate are often associated with an insufficient amount of trace elements in the food consumed by a person. In particular, a lack of potassium leads to tachycardia.

1. Petrushka.
2. Bananas.
3. cabbage.
4. Candied fruits and dried fruits.
5. Black currant.
6. Sunflower seeds.
7. Potato.

Also, these products are used as components in the method of traditional medicine.

1. Sea and river fish, canned fish.
2. Seafood.
3. Nuts.
4. Corn.
5. Beets.

In addition to potassium and calcium, a trace element essential for heart health is magnesium.

To cure magnesium deficiency, you need to consume:

1. Peas.
2. Cucumbers.
3. Yeast.
4. Bran.
5. Spinach.
6. Beans.
7. Buckwheat.

Particular attention should be paid to the methods of cooking. To improve the condition of the cardiovascular system, you should bake foods in the oven, boil or steam.

• cream confectionery;
• smoked sausages, cheeses, whole dishes prepared by smoking;
• pickles;
• pickled vegetables;
• dishes with a lot of spices;
• fat meat;
• alcohol.

Treatment with home remedies is a good way to prevent diseases and is used to improve the general condition of the body and the working organ, however, the technique is unable to completely replace drug treatment and surgery if necessary.

Folk recipes:

1. For one glass of boiling water, you need to take 1 teaspoon of cornflower flowers, insist and take a quarter cup up to 3 times a day 10 minutes before meals.
2. For 200 ml of warm water, you need to take 1 tablespoon of motherwort and insist for 8 hours. One glass of infusion is consumed within a time period of 24 hours after brewing.
3. Blackcurrant juice must be taken 3 times a day for a third of a glass.
4. For one glass of boiling water, you need to take 1 teaspoon of strawberries and soak for an hour. Reception of infusion is carried out before the first daily meal for 1 glass. The duration of the course is 2 months.
5. 100 g of willow inflorescences must be poured with 500 ml of vodka and kept for a month. After cleansing the infusion with gauze, the drug is taken 30 drops before meals (diluted with water). The course is a month.
6. Fresh juice of 3 leaves of the golden mustache, mixed with 250 g of honey and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, must be mixed and taken orally 1 tablespoon 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 10 days.
7. 3 cups of viburnum must be poured with 2000 ml of boiling water and kept for 12 hours. After cleaning the infusion with gauze, add 500 ml of honey. The infusion is applied in a third cup on an empty stomach twice a day. The course of application is 30 days.
8. For one glass of boiling water, you need to take 1 teaspoon of calendula flowers and hold for 2 hours, clean with gauze and dilute with water to the original volume. The infusion is taken orally 100 ml up to 4 times a day before meals.
9. For 500 ml of boiling water, you need to take 1 tablespoon of hawthorn leaves and hold for half an hour, after cleansing with gauze, the infusion is recommended to be taken orally 1 cup 3 times a day after meals. The course is 28 days.
10. For 1 liter of boiling water, you need to take 2 tablespoons of hawthorn berries, the infusion must be kept on low heat for 20 minutes. After that, you should add wild rose berries and keep on fire for another quarter of an hour. The infusion is kept for a day, after which it is cleaned with gauze and taken orally 3 times a day, 2 tablespoons. The course is 15 days.
11. Half a kilo of lemons must be finely grated and stirred in the same amount of honey, then add 20 crushed apricot pits. A homogeneous mass should be taken orally 1 tablespoon 2 times a day.
12. Add an equal amount of honey to fresh black radish juice. Take orally 1 tablespoon up to 3 times a day.
13. A decoction of turnips can be made by pouring 2 tablespoons of chopped root crops into 200 ml of boiling water. After that, the broth should be kept on low heat for 15 minutes and cleaned. Take orally 100 ml up to 4 times a day.
14. Application of 200 ml of decoction of valerian root for taking a warm bath (add to water when bathing).
15. For 200 ml of water, you need to take 1 teaspoon of dry ermine and keep it on low heat for 3 minutes, then tightly close the vessel with a lid and leave for 1 hour. The decoction is taken orally 1 tablespoon up to 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 3 weeks.
16. In a ratio of 1:5, mix the herb-clove and vegetable oil, and then stand for 8 days. It is used in the amount of 10 drops three times a day. The course is 14 days.
17. For 200 ml of boiling water, you need to take 1 tablespoon of dry lemon balm and keep for 30 minutes, filter through cheesecloth and take 100 ml orally up to three times a day before meals.

Before starting the use of alternative methods of treatment, you should consult a doctor about possible contraindications and make sure that there is no intolerance to the components of the technique.

Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises contribute to the nutrition of the body with oxygen, including myocardial tissue.

1. From a standing position, move to a semi-squat position, moving your right hand to the side.
2. It is necessary to pinch the left nostril and slowly inhale deeply through the right.
3. Then it is worth pinching the right nostril and taking a slow deep breath through the left.
4. Sitting on a chair, you should alternate inhalations and exhalations through the right and left nostrils, then take a deep breath through both nostrils, hold your breath for a short time and exhale slowly.
5. Slow breathing through the mouth, lips should be folded into a tube.

Forecast

The prognosis for life after treatment depends on the form of arrhythmia.

• early detection of pathology;
• accurate and rapid determination of the cause of the disease;
• competent recommendations of the attending physician, and the application of the necessary measures after hospitalization;
• compliance with the doctor's prescriptions for drug treatment;
• absence of concomitant diseases;
• good condition of other human organ systems;
• the patient's age is less than 60 years;
• adherence to the rules of a healthy lifestyle.

However, there are varieties of arrhythmia that negatively affect the further prognosis.

1. The presence of concomitant diseases of the cardiovascular system.
2. Heart attack.
3. Stroke.
4. Diseases of the thyroid gland.
5. Hypertension.
6. diabetes mellitus.
7. Late diagnosis and delayed treatment.
8. General weakness of the patient's body.
9. Elderly patient.
10. Non-compliance with the recommendations of the attending physician.
11. Unhealthy lifestyle.

A person's lifestyle affects his condition not only as a factor that increases or decreases the possibility of developing diseases before the onset of development, but also directly on the rate of recovery during the treatment period. That is why the patient must be responsible for nutrition, walks and measures recommended by the doctor after the examination. A breakdown during a diet can adversely affect the general condition of a person.

Possible Complications

Possible complications include:

• deterioration of the heart muscle, wear;
• malnutrition of the systems of internal organs;
• thrombosis;
• blockage of blood vessels.

The reason for the appearance of complications is insufficient attention to the state of the body, untimely or incorrect help. With a significant deterioration in the state of health, it is necessary to hospitalize the patient as soon as possible and conduct a complete diagnosis.

Prevention of arrhythmia

Prevention helps to prevent the occurrence of such a phenomenon as a heart rhythm failure, and has a good effect on the recovery of the human body.

1. Active lifestyle, jogging, exercise.
2. Pay attention to blood sugar levels.
3. Refusal of alcoholic beverages.
4. To give up smoking.
5. Attention to constant body weight.
6. Reduced stress levels.
7. Healthy and nutritious food.