An abnormal heart rhythm means the heart is beating too fast, or too slow, or with an irregular pattern. An abnormal heart rhythm is also called an arrhythmia. The heart is an electrical system which tells it when to beat and pump around the body. Any problem with this system may cause an abnormal heart rhythm.
Ventricular Fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm which causes most cardiac arrest cases. A cardiac arrest can strike anyone, from adults to infants. A victim would require immediate treatment for survival. The only form of appropriate treatment in this regard is the proper application of the life-saving CPR techniques which comprise of a series of chest compressions and rescue breaths. Going for CPR Overland Park Kansas classes can prove to be highly beneficial for you. If you are a resident of Overland Park, you can sign up for a program at the AHA accredited CPR Kansas City. There are courses for both healthcare as well as non-healthcare providers. At the end of the training classes, a student will be eligible for a certification after successfully passing a skills test and a written exam.
Symptoms of an Abnormal Heart rhythm:
The symptoms of an abnormal heart rhythm depend on what type of arrhythmia one has with the most common symptoms being:
I. palpitations (a thumping or fluttering sensation in the chest)
II. dizziness
III. breathlessness
IV. feeling tired
V. losing consciousness.
Types of Abnormal Heart Rhythm:
There are different types of an abnormal heart rhythm. The type one has depends on where in the heart the electrical impulse starts, and if it causes the heart to beat either too fast, or too slowly. The most common abnormal heart rhythm is ‘atrial fibrillation’ which is an irregular, or fast rhythm.
Few other abnormal heart rhythms include:
I. Ventricular Fibrillation (VF), is an abnormal heart rhythm that's so fast a pulse cannot be identified and is an emergency. Most cardiac arrests occur due to this abnormal heart rhythm.
II. Fast heart rhythms such as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), sinus tachycardia (ST) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) are known as tachycardias. These are faster than 90 beats per minute.
III. Another very fast, irregular heart rhythm is ‘atrial flutter’.
IV. Bradycardias such as heart block are slow abnormal heart rhythms, when the heart beat is 60 beats per minute or below.
V. Tachybrady syndrome (sick sinus syndrome) includes periods of very fast or slow heart beats.
Tests for Abnormal Heart Rhythms- A doctor might recommend an ECG, echocardiogram or electrophysiological (EP) study to help diagnose an abnormal heart rhythm.
Treatments for Abnormal Heart Rhythms- A doctor may recommend using medication to stop, prevent or control it depending on the type of abnormal heart rhythm. They might suggest a procedure such as cardioversion or catheter ablation, or surgery to insert an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker.
Causes of Abnormal Heart Rhythms:
Common reasons for getting abnormal heart rhythms include-
1. Abnormality in blood chemical levels.
2. Electrical impulses coming from another part of the heart and not the sinus node (the place in the heart where natural electrical impulses are usually generated).
3. Electrical impulses coming from the sinus node, but going to the lower chambers of the heart through the usual path.
Few abnormal heart rhythms are inherited and in such a scenario, a doctor may ask about having other family members tested.
Consult a doctor to know more. Keep your heart in good shape through a healthy diet and by making lifestyle changes.
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