Heart Rhythm Disorders
Womans High HeartA rhythm disorder is an abnormal heartbeat. The heart requires an electrical impulse to move. The impulse starts at the top of the heart in the atria and moves down towards the bottom of the heart (ventricles). The electrical impulse causes the heart muscle to contract, which results in our heart beat (pulse). When the heart contracts it moves blood throughout our body supplying oxygen to all organs.
With heart rhythm disorders the electrical impulse is irregular and can result in the skipping beats, moving to fast or to slow resulting in irregular heart beats. Heart rhythm disorders include atrial fibrillation, sick sinus syndrome, atrial tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia.
What causes a heart rhythm disorder?
Heart rhythm disorders can be caused by alcohol abuse, drug abuse, smoking, excessive caffeine consumption, mental stress, and or medications/dietary supplements. They can also be caused by underlying conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, hormonal changes, and abnormal heart valves. Lastly, it is possible that a heart rhythm disorder can be caused for no known reason.
What are the symptoms and signs of a heart rhythm disorder?
Some patients may not have any symptoms. In these patient’s rhythm disorders are detected by routine EKG’s or exams with a stethoscope performed in a doctor’s office. Patients may experience a
- rapid heartbeat
- fainting
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- dizziness
- chest pain
- palpitations (feeling of skipped beat or fluttering)
Types of Heart Rhythm Disorders
There are many different types of heart rhythm disorders. Often times detected after evaluation by specialized cardiologists and testing that includes EKG’s and special monitors to view the electrical activity in the heart.
What are the different types of heart rhythm disorders?
Heart rhythm disorders, also called arrythmias, occur when there is a misstep in the heart’s usual rhythm. Some examples include:
Atrial Fibrillation
This heart beat can be very fast and irregular; it can cause blood to pool and clot in the heart. This can cause an increased risk for stroke.
Tachycardia
These are heart rhythms that are to fast. Some of these types of rhythms are supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia.
Bradycardia
The heart beat is very slow.
A normal resting heart rate is between 60-100 beats per minute and can change throughout the day and with activity.
Treatments
At Silver Cross our team of expert cardiologists use state of the art equipment and are trained in cutting edge technologies to treat irregular heartbeats.
Cardioversion
A cardioversion is a low energy shock that is delivered to a patient. It helps bring back a normal heart rhythm and treats rhythms that are to fast or irregular. Medications can also be used to restore a normal rhythm.
Catheter Ablation
Another type of procedure performed to restore abnormal heart rhythms. The procedure is performed by a specialized physician, an electrophysiologist, in a hospital procedure room. The doctor uses catheters and wires that generate electrical impulses to destroy tissue in the heart that is causing abnormal heart beats.
Pacemakers
Pacemaker insertion is a surgical procedure. A device that is implanted in the chest, under the skin by a specialized physician, an electrophysiologist. The device helps control the heart rate and prevents if from beating too slowly.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
Pacemaker insertion is a surgical procedure. A specialized physician, an electrophysiologist performs this procedure. There are two types. The traditional ICD is implanted in the chest and the wires attach directly to the heart. Subcutanoeus ICD’s are implanted under the skin below the armpit. The electrodes do not attach directly your the heart. These devices continuously monitor the heart and deliver shocks if they detect dangerous irregular heartbeats. The shocks restore a normal rhythm.
