Arrhythmia

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Arrhythmia

When Your Heart Skips a Beat

Irregular heartbeat? Palpitations? Shortness of breath? Arrhythmia is a condition that affects the heart’s rhythm, causing it to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. While some arrhythmias are harmless, others can increase the risk of serious complications like stroke or sudden cardiac arrest.

Cardiac Arrhythmia

What is an Arrhythmia?

A heart arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat caused by disruptions in the heart’s electrical signaling. The heart may beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly. While some arrhythmias are harmless, others can lead to severe complications, including stroke, heart failure, or sudden cardiac arrest.

Types of Arrhythmias

Fast Heartbeat (Tachycardia)

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): Rapid, uncoordinated heartbeat linked to stroke risk.
Atrial Flutter: Similar to AFib but more structured, also increasing stroke risk.
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): Rapid heartbeats originating above the ventricles, leading to palpitations.
Ventricular Fibrillation: Life-threatening condition where the heart quivers instead of pumping blood, requiring immediate intervention.
Ventricular Tachycardia: A rapid, irregular rhythm from the ventricles, potentially causing low blood flow.

Premature Heartbeats

Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs): Extra beats from the atria, often harmless.
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs): Extra beats from the ventricles that may occasionally indicate underlying heart disease.

Symptoms of Arrhythmia

While some arrhythmias go unnoticed, common symptoms include:

Fluttering or palpitations in the chest
Rapid or slow heartbeat
Chest pain or discomfort
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fatigue or weakness
Fainting (syncope)

When to Seek Medical Attention

Emergency Symptoms: Call 999 immediately if you experience:

Severe chest pain
Sudden shortness of breath
Fainting or collapse

Not everyone with an arrhythmia will experience symptoms, so regular heart health screenings are important, especially if you have risk factors. Find out more about Heart Screening Packages to assess your heart’s condition.

Diagnostic Tests

Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): Measures heart’s electrical activity.
Holter Monitor: Continuous heart rhythm monitoring for 24-48 hours.
Echocardiogram: Assesses heart structure and function.
Stress Test: Evaluates how the heart responds to exertion.
Electrophysiology Study (EPS): Maps electrical activity to identify abnormalities.

Treatment Options

Medications: Antiarrhythmic drugs, beta-blockers, blood thinners (for stroke prevention in AFib).

Medical Devices: Pacemakers for bradycardia, implantable defibrillators (ICDs) for ventricular arrhythmias.

Procedures:

Catheter Ablation: Destroys abnormal heart tissue causing arrhythmias.
Cardioversion: Electrical shock to reset the heart’s rhythm.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgical intervention like Maze procedure may be required.

Preventing Arrhythmia & Heart Complications

Maintaining a healthy heart is essential for preventing arrhythmia and other cardiovascular complications. Here are some key steps to protect your heart and keep it functioning optimally:

Heart-Healthy Diet

What you eat plays a major role in heart health. Reduce your intake of processed foods, sodium, and unhealthy fats such as trans fats and excessive saturated fats, which can increase cholesterol levels and contribute to heart issues. Instead, focus on a balanced diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and olive oil.

Regular Exercise

Staying active helps strengthen the heart, improve circulation, and regulate heart rhythms. Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. However, if you have existing heart conditions, consult a doctor before engaging in high-intensity workouts to ensure safe exercise choices.

Limit Stimulants

Excessive intake of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine can trigger irregular heartbeats and put extra strain on the heart. Reducing these stimulants can help maintain a stable heart rhythm and lower cardiovascular risk. If you smoke, consider seeking support to quit, as smoking significantly increases the likelihood of heart complications.

Manage Stress

Chronic stress can negatively impact heart health by increasing blood pressure and hormone imbalances that affect heart rhythms. Incorporating stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and adequate sleep can help maintain a healthy and steady heartbeat.

Control Underlying Conditions

If you have hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol, proper management is crucial to prevent heart complications. Follow your doctor’s advice, take medications as prescribed, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of arrhythmia and other heart-related issues. Regular check-ups and monitoring are also key to keeping these conditions under control.

Get Expert Care for Arrhythmia

At Sunway Medical Centre Velocity, our expert cardiology team provides comprehensive evaluation, advanced diagnostics, and tailored treatments for arrhythmias. Whether you need medical management, catheter ablation, or device implantation, we are here to support your heart health. We also provide an Arrhythmia Screening Package to help detect irregular heart rhythms early and ensure timely care.