Cardiac arrhythmia. Methods for treating cardiac arrhythmias

Arrhythmia- This is a violation of the normal frequency or sequence of heartbeats. The concept of arrhythmias encompasses different types of heart rhythm abnormalities.

In a person between the ages of 20 and 60, the average heart rate is 60-80 beats per minute. Contractions of the heart muscle follow each other at almost regular intervals. This is the norm. A person gets used to the way his heart beats and does not notice the heartbeat. If the heart rhythm is disturbed, it immediately grabs our attention.

However, arrhythmia is not just a complaint of palpitations. Arrhythmia is established objectively using instrumental diagnostics. Arrhythmia can be detected in the absence of any complaints, and vice versa: complaints of cardiac arrhythmias may not be confirmed instrumentally.

Arrhythmia in men occurs one and a half times more often than in women. Another factor that increases the risk of arrhythmias is age. At 50 years old, arrhythmia is detected in 1% of the surveyed, at 60 years old - already in 10%. However, it can develop in childhood as well. Arrhythmia is detected in 0.8% of children.

Types of arrhythmias

The most common types of arrhythmia are:

Arrhythmia causes

The heart has the property of automatism. It contracts under the influence of impulses that are generated in the heart itself. The conduction system of the myocardium, formed by the nodes of the nerve tissue, is responsible for the generation and conduction of impulses. Violations in the work of this system lead to a failure of the heart rhythm.

Cardiovascular diseases can cause arrhythmias:

• ischemic heart disease (impaired circulation of the heart muscle);
• transferred myocardial infarction. In 15% of cases, there is such a complication as postinfarction aneurysm - protrusion of the wall of the ventricle of the heart. The aneurysmal segment is not involved in contraction, which leads to the occurrence of arrhythmias;
• cardiomyopathies (changes in the size and shape of the heart), as well as congenital and acquired heart defects;
• myocarditis (inflammatory diseases of the heart muscle);

In addition, arrhythmia can be caused by:

• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• violation of the electrolyte balance of the body (as a result of an acute lack of magnesium, as well as a deficiency or excess of potassium and calcium);
• smoking, alcohol abuse, poisoning;
• stress;
• febrile conditions in infectious diseases;
• endocrine disorders. In particular, arrhythmia can be observed during.

Arrhythmia symptoms

Dizziness

Weakness with arrhythmias may be accompanied by dizziness.

As a result of a disturbance in the rhythm of the heart, oxygen ceases to flow to the organs evenly. In such cases, when the body senses a lack of oxygen, it tries to compensate for it by increasing the breathing rate. Shortness of breath occurs.

Fainting

With arrhythmias, episodes of loss of consciousness are possible.

Blood pressure disorders

Arrhythmia leads to a deviation of blood pressure from normal in one direction or another.

Arrhythmia diagnostic methods

To diagnose arrhythmias, the following are used:

Holter monitoring

It is used to diagnose arrhythmia and monitor the course of its treatment. A device is attached to the patient's body, recording the activity of the heart during the day. In this case, a person leads a normal life for himself (the only thing is that the device cannot be wetted). The monitoring results are then processed on a computer. This method allows you to identify episodes of arrhythmia caused by the usual daily stress - for this you do not need to be at the doctor's appointment at that moment.

Treadmill test

- This is an electrocardiographic study that is performed during physical activity on a special treadmill (treadmill). Such a functional test allows you to identify violations of the heart rhythm, which usually appear only during increased stress, and are absent at rest.

Arrhythmia means all those conditions in which the sequence of heartbeats, their frequency and strength, as well as rhythm are subject to changes. Arrhythmia, the symptoms of which are manifested due to a violation of the basic functions inherent in the heart (conduction, excitability, automatism), is in one name a generalized variant of pathology, which means any changes in the heart rhythm that are different from the standard sinus rhythm.

general description

Arrhythmia means, in general, any irregular heartbeat (which is also defined as dysrhythmia), but irregularity (and, accordingly, irregularity) of the heart rate is also not excluded in this condition.

Normal contraction rates are in the order of 50-100 bpm. Meanwhile, it is not at all necessary that both of these conditions, and arrhythmia, and irregularity of contractions, occur simultaneously. Accordingly, arrhythmias occur in various variants of the state of heart contractions - both at normal rates of their frequency, and at slow rates (it is advisable to talk about the latter option at rates less than 60 beats / min, which is defined as bradyarrhythmia). Arrhythmia can also develop with an accelerated state of the heart rate, which is defined as a tachyarrhythmia and is more than 100 beats / min. Remarkably, in the United States alone, about 850,000 people are subject to annual hospitalization precisely against the background of their development of arrhythmias.

Arrhythmias develop as a result of the organic nature of heart damage, which occurs as a result of heart defects, myocardial infarction and other similar conditions. Also, their occurrence is accompanied by changes that are relevant for the water-salt balance, disorders directly related to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, intoxication. As we initially noted, the development of arrhythmia is also facilitated by the conditions that have arisen against the background of the course of a cold or with overwork.

The recovery processes from cardiac surgery can also act as contributing factors to arrhythmias. A separate point in the reasons also highlights the use of alcoholic beverages, against the background of the effect on the body of which the development of arrhythmias is also possible.

It is noteworthy that some types of disturbances associated with the heart rhythm may not be felt by the patient at all, and in general they do not contribute to any serious consequences. In particular, this type of disorder includes atrial premature beats and sinus tachycardia. Often, their appearance indicates the relevance for the patient of a pathology of one type or another that is not related to cardiac activity (for example, we can talk about changes associated with the functions of the thyroid gland).

Among the most dangerous pathological conditions, tachycardias are distinguished, which in about 85% of cases are the main cause of sudden death, as well as bradycardia (especially when it comes to a complex state with AV block, which, in turn, is accompanied by short-term and sudden loss of consciousness). Based on statistics, it is argued that these conditions account for about 15% of cases of sudden death.

Features of a normal heart rhythm

Considering arrhythmias as conditions dangerous for the heart, it will not be superfluous to dwell on the issue of the normal rhythm of the heart, or rather, on what exactly this rhythm provides. And it is provided by a conductive system, which acts as a sequential network of nodes (like power plants) based on a highly specialized type of cells, with the help of which it is possible to create electric impulses along individual fibers and beams while simultaneously conducting these impulses through them. Already due to these impulses, in turn, excitation of the heart muscle and its contraction are provided.

Despite the fact that each of the elements in the conducting system has the ability to generate impulses, the sinus node remains in this case as the main power plant, it is located in the region of the right atrium (its upper part). It is due to its effect that the frequency that determines the work of the heart is ensured, that is, on the order of 60 to 80 beats / min. at rest, strengthening - at the time of the relevance of physical activity, weakening - during sleep.

The impulses formed in the sinus node propagate similarly to the sun's rays, while one part of them contributes to the excitation of the atria and their contraction, while the other part is directed along special paths that the conducting system has to the AV node (or to the atrioventricular node). This node acts already as the next "power plant" in line, and it is here that the impulse movement slows down, which is necessary, in particular, in order to ensure that the atria can contract and then drive blood into the ventricles.

Later, it spreads to the bundle of His divided into two "legs", while the right leg provides impulses through the Purkinje fibers to the right ventricle, and the left impulses are conducted to the left ventricle, resulting in, again, excitation of the ventricles with their subsequent contraction. Here, in fact, we have considered such a scheme, in accordance with which the rhythm of the work of the human heart is ensured.

Based on the peculiarities of these mechanisms, those urgent problems are determined, the possible appearance of which will lead to a disruption in the operation of the conducting system. Treat them:

• violation associated with the formation of an impulse in one of the listed "power plants";
• violation associated with the conduction of an impulse through one of the sections of the considered system.

The function performed by the main pacemaker is provided in both variants by the "power plant" next in the chain, which, however, is accompanied by a decrease in the heart rate.

As a result of considering this system, it remains to be noted that the conducting system has a multilevel type of protection, which ensures the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. Meanwhile, violations, as such, in all these processes are not excluded, and therefore it is precisely such violations that become the cause of arrhythmia.

Let us summarize that arrhythmias are such violations of the heart rhythm, in which either there is a decrease in strokes (no more than 60 per minute), or an increase in frequency (over 100), or irregularity of the heart rate. We also remind our readers that with a decrease in the heart rate, it is relevant to use the term bradycardia, and with an increase in heart rate - tachycardia.

Types of arrhythmias

• extrasystoles;
• ventricular premature beats;
• atrial fibrillation;
• atrial flutter;
• supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardia (abbreviated SVT);
• tachycardias, in which there is a connection with additional bundles;
• tachycardia in accordance with the mechanism of the atrioventricular re-entry node;
• ventricular tachycardia;
• ventricular fibrillation;
• long QT syndrome;
• bradyarrhythmias;
• dysfunction relevant to the sinus node;
• heart block.

Let's consider separately the features and symptoms of some of them.

Extrasystoles: symptoms

As extrasystoles, contractions prematurely produced by the heart are determined, the electrical impulse in which does not follow from the sinus node. This type of arrhythmia can accompany any of the heart diseases, however, in more than half of the cases, there is no connection with these diseases at all, because extrasystoles in this case act as a condition resulting from the influence of other factors. In particular, such conditions include psychoemotional and autonomic disorders, the level of electrolyte balance in the body, drug treatment, smoking, etc.

Despite the fact that this condition requires consideration of symptoms, there is nothing to consider, by and large, because extrasystoles, as a rule, are not felt by patients at all. In some cases, the manifestations are reduced to the appearance of an intensified impulse arising from the side of the heart, or to its fading.

The value that can be determined for extrasystoles is different in each case. So, their appearance in rare cases with a normal state of heart health, as a rule, makes them insignificant, however, if their frequency is noted, then this can already determine the exacerbation of a disease that is actual for the patient (myocarditis, coronary artery disease, etc.) or an overdose of glycosides. With frequent atrial extrasystoles(in which the impulse follows, again, not from the sinus node, but from the atrium), they are often considered as precursors of atrial fibrillation. In particular, various frequent ventricular extrasystoles, the impulse in which follows either from the right or from the left ventricle. Ventricular extrasystoles can act as precursors of ventricular fibrillation.

Premature atrial contractions, which are extrasystoles, do not cause harm and do not require any specific treatment. More details about the features of this condition can be found

Atrial fibrillation: symptoms

Atrial fibrillation, as this type of arrhythmia is also defined, itself acts as one of the complications associated with coronary heart disease, along with other types of disorders that are relevant to the heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation is, moreover, one of the most common types of cardiac arrhythmias. As the causes accompanying atrial fibrillation, not only ischemic heart disease, but also various types of diseases associated with the functions of the thyroid gland are distinguished.

The main manifestations inherent in this condition include the same manifestations that are generally observed in arrhythmias: "bubbling" in the chest; interruptions, characterized by one or another specificity and intensity, associated with the work of the heart; darkening in the eyes; fainting conditions. There may also be general weakness, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, chest pains, and a feeling of fear.

Sinus arrhythmia: symptoms

Sinus arrhythmia is characterized by the development of an abnormal sinus rhythm, in which there is an alternation of periods of its slowing down with an increase. The respiratory form of such an arrhythmia is predominantly distinguished, in which the heart contractions double at the time of exhalation, decreasing during exhalation.

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia is caused by irregularity and irregularity in the formation of impulses in one of the nerve nodes, which is often associated with fluctuations in the tone of the vagus nerve, as well as with changes in the process of breathing filling the heart with blood.

Symptoms of sinus arrhythmia are reduced to severe fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting. The listed symptoms mainly occur with long and sudden pauses that occur between contractions. These pauses occur due to the formation of sinus impulses or blockade of their conduction through the tissues.

More serious manifestations that require appropriate attention from the patient include sudden shortness of breath, sudden fainting, darkening of the eyes, a feeling of an excessively slow or, conversely, fast heartbeat, chest pain.

Atrial flutter: symptoms

Atrial flutter is characterized by an increase in heart rate to impressive rates, which can reach 200-400 beats per minute, which, meanwhile, is accompanied by a regular and correct atrial rhythm.

Mostly atrial flutter occurs against the background of actual organic heart diseases, and especially often the development of this condition occurs during the first week from the date of operations on the heart of one or another scale, somewhat less often they are noted against the background of preliminary coronary artery bypass grafting. In addition, defects associated with the state of the mitral valve, ischemic heart disease in various forms of the course, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary obstructive diseases of the chronic form of the course are also distinguished. It is noteworthy that healthy people practically do not encounter this pathology.

As for the clinical manifestations that are relevant for atrial flutter, they are primarily determined by the heart rate and the characteristics of heart diseases of an organic nature. At the time of the appearance of violations directly related to a violation of the rhythm, the heartbeat becomes more frequent, the appearance of severe weakness, dizziness, fainting and a sharp drop in pressure is not excluded, which in combination can even serve as the appearance of fainting.

In the developed variant, atrial flutter is characterized by pulsation of the cervical veins, which can be up to 4 times higher than the actual heart rate. By the way, often atrial flutter is transformed into the previous form of arrhythmia with its characteristic course (that is, into the form of atrial fibrillation).

Supraventricular tachycardia: symptoms

This type of pathology is also defined as atrial tachycardia. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it is formed within a small area of ​​tissue in any area of ​​the atria. This site gradually inflames the heart and controls it, having a greater effect than that which a natural pacemaker has on the heart. As a rule, the focus is inflamed only periodically, however, in some cases, the possible duration of such inflammation is noted for many days, or even months. It is noteworthy that some patients (especially elderly patients) are faced with the course of this pathology when more than one inflamed area is formed.

In general, SVT means that the heart periodically begins to speed up under the influence of one reason or another that is not related to stress, fever, or exercise.

As for the symptomatology, in this case it differs significantly. So, most people do not at all experience any symptomatology of this condition or are faced with the previously noted rapid pulsation that occurs in the chest. In some cases, atrial tachycardia is accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, and dizziness. The main symptoms associated with SVT are the following:

• increased heart rate;
• darkening in the eyes;
• dizziness;
• shallow breathing;
• fainting;
• discomfort in the chest area, manifested in the form of tightness, pain, pressure;
• sweating;
• a feeling of one's own heartbeat or a slowness of the pulsation of the vessels, especially in the neck (here, as you know, large types of blood vessels are concentrated close to the skin);
• tightness and tension in the throat;
• increased urination;
• severe fatigue.

Ventricular tachycardia: symptoms

Ventricular tachycardia is an acceleration of the heart rate out of the ventricles. In particular, we are talking about several successive ventricular impulses at a frequency of 100 / min. Such tachycardia begins and ends in a sudden manner. Mostly the rhythm frequency is about 150-200 / min. Due to such a disorder, the heart ceases to be adequately filled with blood, which, in turn, leads to the expelling of a smaller amount of blood into the body. This type of arrhythmia can be quite difficult, especially for those patients who already have heart disease, while this symptomatology is complemented by the symptomatology of such a concomitant disease.

Ventricular tachycardia can be persistent or unstable. Unstable tachycardia passes mostly quickly and without accompanying symptoms, which makes it possible to determine it only on the basis of long-term ECG monitoring. Meanwhile, some patients are faced with manifestations characteristic of arrhythmias in the form of palpitations, pain in the chest, dizziness, fainting.

Persistent ventricular tachycardia has, in addition to the traditional manifestations characteristic of it directly, namely, this fluctuation in systolic blood pressure at the time of each heartbeat and a reduced pulsation frequency observed from the cervical veins (in comparison with the pulse). The rhythm frequency in this variant of ventricular tachycardia is about 100-220 / min. When the extreme designated limit is exceeded, it is already a question of ventricular flutter. Tachycardia itself can be noted as significant disturbances in hemodynamics. Meanwhile, sweating, arterial hypotension (lowering pressure) in varying degrees of severity of its manifestations, impaired consciousness (stunnedness, agitation, loss of consciousness) are not excluded. It is possible to join a clinic associated with cardiogenic shock, as well as spontaneous circulatory arrest.

There are also some other features that are essential when diagnosing a patient's condition exclusively for a doctor, therefore we will not cite them as an addition to the clinical picture at a deeper level.

Ventricular fibrillation: symptoms

In this case, the flow of impulses is meant, following in a disorganized and continuous order from the ventricles, which provokes their flutter, as a result of which, in turn, the possibility of their reduction with subsequent pumping of blood through the body is excluded. This condition is urgent and requires immediate treatment in a cardiopulmonary resuscitation unit in combination with the need for defibrillation to the patient.

The condition itself is extremely dangerous, because if the required resuscitation measures are not implemented within the next 10 minutes after the onset of this condition, subsequent assistance will be simply useless.

The frequency of contractions during fibrillation reaches 300 / min, in addition to this, the heart during this period does not perform its pumping functions, as a result of which there is no blood supply to the body.

The symptomatology of fibrillation, as we have already noted, is the arrest of blood circulation, therefore, at this moment a picture with characteristic signs of clinical death develops. This is accompanied by loss of consciousness by the patient, the appearance of seizures, as well as involuntary defecation and urination. There is no reaction of the pupils to light, the pupils themselves are dilated. Pulse, as well as breathing, are absent, there are none in the area of ​​the location of the large arteries (femoral and carotid). In addition, there is a gradual development of diffuse cyanosis, that is, a condition in which the skin acquires a characteristic cyanosis.

Sinus node dysfunction syndrome: symptoms

This syndrome is also often abbreviated as SSS (that is, in its full version - sick sinus syndrome), it means this type of rhythm disturbance that occurs against the background of a weakening of the automatism function or its termination in the sinus-atrial node. SSSU is accompanied by a violation of the formation of an impulse and its subsequent passage through the sinus node to the atria, as a result of which there is a decrease in the rhythm (bradycardia) in combination with concomitant variants of ectopic arrhythmias. SSS often leads to sudden cardiac arrest.

The sinus node acts as a generator of impulses and at the same time as a pacemaker on a first-order basis. The development of the SSSU leads to the fact that for a certain period or for good it loses its leading positions in the process of forming a heart rhythm.

As for the symptomatology, it is here largely in common with the previously considered options for arrhythmias. So, some patients may not experience any symptoms of this condition for a long period of time, while others, on the contrary, are faced with pronounced manifestations that indicate a violation of the rhythm. In particular, headaches and dizziness can be distinguished as such, a disorder in hemodynamics is not excluded, which occurs due to a change in the downward direction of the minute and stroke volumes of the ejection. This, in turn, is also accompanied by the development of pulmonary edema, cardiac asthma and coronary insufficiency (mainly in the form of angina pectoris, somewhat less often in the form of myocardial infarction).

SSSU is characterized by two groups of symptoms, namely, cardiac symptoms and cerebral symptoms.

As cerebral symptoms in combination with mild disturbances in the rhythm, irritability and fatigue, emotional instability, and forgetfulness are distinguished. Elderly patients are faced with a decrease in memory and, in general, intelligence. The progression of this condition, as well as the insufficiency of cerebral circulation, leads to the fact that the symptoms of this type gradually increase. This is accompanied by pre-syncope and, in fact, fainting, as well as the symptoms preceding them in the form of severe and sudden weakness, tinnitus, a feeling of fading (or stopping) the heart.

With fainting in this state, the skin turns pale and cold, cold sweat appears, and the pressure drops. It is noteworthy that a number of quite harmless factors can provoke fainting: a tight collar, an unsuccessful turn of the head, and a cough. Fainting passes, as a rule, on their own, but their protracted conditions require the provision of appropriate emergency care.

As for cardiac symptoms, it manifests itself in the form of sensations of irregularity or slowness of the pulse, noted by the patient himself, as well as pain in the region behind the sternum, which is explained by insufficient coronary blood flow. Arrhythmias that join in this state are accompanied by an increase in heartbeat, interruptions of various scales in the work of the heart, weakness and shortness of breath, the development of chronic heart failure.

Often, fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia acts as an attachment to the SSS, which increases the likelihood of a sudden death. As additional manifestations accompanying the syndrome of a weak sinus node, oliguria (a decrease in the daily rate of urine excretion) is determined, which occurs against the background of hypoperfusion, as well as gastrointestinal disorders, muscle weakness.

Heart block: symptoms

This variant of arrhythmia is associated with a slowdown in the process of impulse conduction or with its termination along the conduction system of the heart. Blockages can manifest themselves in the sinoatrial form (within the level of the atria and their muscle tissues), as well as the atrioventricular (atrioventricular junction) and intraventricular forms.

In accordance with the degree of severity characteristic of the blockade, its degree I, II and III are determined. Grade I is accompanied by a delay in the conduction of impulses to the underlying sections in the conducting system, II is defined as incomplete, because only a certain part of the impulses is relevant, and, finally, Grade III, in which the possibility of impulses is excluded.

Blockades can be persistent and transitory; they occur against the background of myocardial infarction, cardiosclerosis, myocarditis, as well as with the use of certain drugs. There is also such an option as congenital blockade (complete transverse), but it is extremely rare in practice.

As for the symptomatology that is relevant for blockades, it (with incomplete transverse variants) is characterized by a loss of heart sounds and pulse. Complete transverse blockade is accompanied by persistent manifestation of bradycardia (with a decrease in heart rate up to 40 / min.). Due to a decrease in blood supply, which is relevant to the organs, convulsions and fainting appear. Options for the development of angina pectoris and heart failure, as well as sudden onset of death, are not excluded.

Diagnosis

In the diagnosis of arrhythmia, the following basic methods are used:

• electrocardiogram;
• echocardiogram;
• monitoring (Holter, episodic);
• electrophysiological examination;
• load test;
• orthostatic test.

Arrhythmia treatment

The basis of treatment is determined by the type and severity of the patient's condition. As already noted in our article, many conditions do not manifest themselves in terms of any symptoms and do not require treatment. In other embodiments, the individual definition of drug therapy, some surgical procedures is carried out. In addition, the main positions regarding changes in lifestyle are determined.

In drug therapy, in particular, antiarrhythmic drugs are used, with whose help control over the frequency of heart contractions is ensured, and drugs for antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy are selected, focused on reducing the risk of blood clots with the subsequent occurrence of stroke.

With the inability of medications to control the patient's irregular rhythm in a continuous mode (which is important for atrial fibrillation), cardioversion is performed. This implies the introduction of a temporary anesthetic into the chest, followed by the effect of an electric current on this area. This method allows you to synchronize the work of the heart, thereby contributing to the restoration of an adequate heart rate.

In the treatment of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, a cardioverter-defibrillator is often used, implanted in the appropriate area for constant monitoring and nutrition of the heart muscle for its contraction in an adequate rhythm.

Arrhythmia is characterized by an unstable heart rate and rhythm. This is a whole spectrum of diseases of various types, a common indicator for which is the presence of failures in the formation of excitation impulses and their conduction into the heart muscle, which causes deviations from the normal rhythm of the heartbeat. The most common diseases from this list are tachycardia, extrasystopia, bradycardia.

Pathological factors cause malfunctioning of the conducting function of the heart, resulting in electrical heterogeneity within the myocardium, resulting in a violation of the rhythm of the heartbeat.

Possible causes, risk factors

If we consider all existing cardiological pathologies, then the share attributable to different types of heart rhythm failures is impressive. About 10% of people over 60 years old show signs of arrhythmia, and the prevalence of such diseases among men is one and a half times higher than among women.

Children and adolescents are less susceptible to the influence of diseases associated with changes in the rhythm of the heartbeat: the proportion of sick children is 0.6%.

Violation of the processes of the conducting system of the myocardium occurs due to improper formation of electrical signals or failures in the process of conducting them to different areas. As a result, the current jumps to the next node in the chain in turn, so the rhythm gets lost.

Reasons for the occurrence of violations

The described violation occurs due to the presence of cardiac pathologies or negative manifestations of an internal or external nature.

The pathology is caused by the following heart diseases:

• Cardiomyopathy,
• Heart attacks,
• Ischemic disease
• Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels,
• Heart defects (especially in children)
• Dystrophy and other myocardial anomalies.

Also, a violation of the heart rate can provoke such phenomena as:

• Diseases of internal organs,
• Vegetovascular dystonia
• Obesity,
• Hormonal imbalance
• Pathologies of the nervous, endocrine system,
• Poisoning, drug overdose, intoxication,
• Strong stress, emotional distress,
• Anemia,
• Electric shock
• Anesthesia,
• Surgical operations.

At-risk groups

The main factors that can cause various types of pathological changes in the rhythm of contractions are:

• Excessive drinking
• Smoking,
• Regular infectious diseases
• Mental, physical stress,
• Excessive use of energy drinks, caffeine,
• Inappropriate medication
• Genetic factors (heredity),
• Aged people.

In rare cases, spontaneous arrhythmia is observed, characteristic of people with a quick-tempered character. Why is this variety dangerous? In severe anxiety, patients complain of palpitations immediately after the excitement has passed.

Types of arrhythmias

For classification, diseases should be divided into several groups according to the place of occurrence of failures.

1. Malfunctions of the sinus node.
   • The sinus type is characterized by an irregular rate of contractions, is common in people under 30, and often occurs during heavy physical exertion.
   • Sinus tachycardia is a high frequency heartbeat.
   • Sinus bradycardia is a slow heartbeat.
   • Atrial asystole is a total suppression of the functioning of the sinus node.
2. Failure of myocardial conduction function or inflammatory processes within this area.
   • Blockades in different departments (slowing down or stopping the transmission of impulses).
   • Too early excitation of the ventricles.
3. Simultaneous failures of the processes of conduct, automatism, excitability.
   • Rapid flutter of the ventricles or atria.
   • Extrasystole is characterized by the presence of premature contractions.
   • Atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation - irregular heart rate.

In addition to the listed diseases, there are other forms caused by the combination of several pathological factors at once.

In a separate group, it is worth highlighting functional rhythm disturbances, which include:

• Disorders of neurogenic origin. The work of the heart is directly influenced by the nervous system, which controls the functioning of all internal organs. The nervous system is a branched network of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves that affect the heart muscle in different directions. The increased tone of the vagus (parasympathetic) nerve slows down the rhythm of contractions, and the sympathetic nervous system, with an increase in tone, increases the heart rate. The reasons for the activation of sympathetic tone are stress, experiencing strong emotions, mental and physical overload, frequent smoking, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, a large amount of caffeine per day, spicy, fatty foods. In addition, sympathetic tone increases in the presence of thyroid diseases, as well as in intoxication, blood diseases. There are va-dependent arrhythmias that occur mainly at night, when the activity of the parasympathetic system increases. The causes of increased tone can be various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Diselectrolyte causes an altered blood composition or the content of chemical elements in the heart muscle (potassium, magnesium levels).
• Iatrogenic species arise from improper treatment.
• Mechanical ones are provoked by injuries of the sternum, falls from great heights, and electric shock.
• Idiopathic arrhythmias is a term for an irregular heartbeat with no known cause.

Pediatric arrhythmia

A separate topic is heartbeat disorders in children. They are congenital and acquired.

The first type occurs even while the child is in the womb, so the task of doctors leading a pregnancy is to regularly listen to the fetal heartbeat. Why does it arise? The main reason is genetic predisposition.

Young children are sensitive to any negative events that cause them strong emotional stress. Frequent scandals between parents and other events affecting the psyche of the baby can cause the development of cardiac diseases.

Symptoms

Since this is a complex of diseases with different characteristics, their symptoms also differ from each other. Consider the symptoms of the most common manifestations:

• With sinus tachycardia, there is an increase in heart rate from 90 beats / min and above. The patient reports the appearance of shortness of breath, increased fatigue, palpitations, a feeling of weakness in the whole body.
• In the case of paroxysmal tachycardia, the correct rhythm is traced, but at the same time it is more frequent - from 140 beats per minute. A patient with arrhythmia complains of profuse sweating, weakness, and frequent urination. With a prolonged attack, chest pain appears, up to fainting.
• Sinus bradycardia is characterized by a frequency of contractions of 55 beats per minute or less. Symptoms are low blood pressure, a feeling of weakness, slight dizziness, "aching" pain in the heart.
• Symptoms of the sinus variety are slow contractions during inhalation and faster contractions during exhalation. This condition is common among adolescents and women during pregnancy.
• Extrasystole is difficult to diagnose, since the patient usually does not feel any changes in the body. A rare patient may notice a slight increase in the impulse to the heart muscle, which immediately freezes.
• With atrial fibrillation, the ventricles of the heart contract with a frequency of up to 150 beats / min, which is a sign of severe heart defects, causes severe pain in the chest, insufficient pulse compared to the frequency of contractions, as well as an irregular heart tone.
• Signs of flutter of different parts of the heart or their blockade can be such phenomena as cardiac arrest, fainting, threadlike pulse, convulsions, interruptions in breathing, dilated pupils.

As you can see, the specific symptoms are completely dependent on the species. The list of classification of symptoms is determined by the type of disease, but sometimes arrhythmia is almost asymptomatic, so prevention plays a key role in the fight against the disease.

Let's consider the most common symptoms inherent in different types in more detail.

Increased SS rhythm

Heart rate is considered pathologically high, exceeding 90 beats / min. This is a recognized clinical sign of a large group of tachycardias. Often, palpitations are accompanied by a feeling of weakness, severe sweating, and mild shortness of breath. The highest heart rate is considered to be 180 beats in 60 seconds - this is a serious danger to the patient's life.

An increased heart rate usually causes colds, anemia, high blood pressure, exercise, excessive caffeine use, and frequent smoking.

If this indicator is detected, electrocardiography and other examination methods should be passed. If there is a stable, frequent rhythm above 100 beats, the doctor determines tachycardia and prescribes appropriate treatment.

Slow rhythm SS

This symptom does not belong to the clinical signs of the pathology of the heart, since it is quite often observed in perfectly healthy people, especially with old age. Bradycardia is dangerous along with such phenomena as dizziness, loss of consciousness, dark spots before the eyes. If the listed ailments are absent, treatment is not required.

Chest pain

Sometimes the pain occurs due to muscle cramps caused by overeating or intense exercise. Nevertheless, painful sensations in the region of the heart, which are accompanied by an increase in the heart rate, which do not stop for a sufficiently long period of time, may result from a violation of the normal function of the heart muscle. Then you need to call an ambulance, to provide the patient with complete rest.

Loss of consciousness

Practical diagnosis of the cause of fainting is challenging. This symptom is characteristic not only of arrhythmias, but also of other pathologies: strong emotional shocks, taking medications, problems with the cardiovascular system. An attack of tachycardia or bradycardia often leads to loss of consciousness, since these types of arrhythmic heartbeats provoke a decrease in cardiac output and an excessive decrease in blood pressure.

Fainting is a short-term period of loss of consciousness, which manifests itself as a person falling to the floor. The main cause of fainting is an interruption in the supply of blood to the brain. Before fainting, people experience increased sweating, a feeling of nausea, and a strong heartbeat. You should be worried about the frequent recurrence of this symptom - you need to see a doctor to undergo an ECG.

Dizziness

Usually this sign of arrhythmia is accompanied by a feeling of muscle weakness, nausea, sweating. Dizziness can also be caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, vegetative-vascular dystonia, therefore, for an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a special examination.

Diagnostics

As it became clear from the previous part of the article, the clinical manifestations of the disease are quite diverse and numerous, therefore, the diagnosis requires several studies at once.

If the above-described signs are identified, it is necessary to contact a specialist in such diseases - a cardiologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, prescribe an examination of the heart and blood vessels based on the patient's complaints to determine the cause, and give forecasts for the near future.

The main methods for diagnosing arrhythmias are listening to the heartbeat, electrocardiography, echocardiography.

• Electrocardiography makes it possible, through the use of electrodes installed on the surface of the chest, to obtain data on the heart rate, the presence of ischemia, and residual effects from past diseases. Decoding the resulting ECG is used to detect atrial fibrillation.
• Echocardiography uses the properties of ultrasound to assess the condition of the heart and how it works. The doctor will be able to measure the size of the departments, determine the thickness of the myocardium, and identify various pathologies.

In case of irregular manifestations of symptoms, Holter monitoring is used, which consists in round-the-clock monitoring of the heartbeat using sensors, is performed stationary. The monitoring task is to identify daily attacks of atrial fibrillation, assess the correctness of the restoration of sinus rhythm, and determine the average heart rate.

In situations where the signs of the disease could not be detected by the listed methods, the doctor may prescribe provoking procedures:

• Tilt test. It is carried out on a rotary table in the laboratory, subject to comfortable conditions and strict safety measures (resuscitation methods have been prepared).
• The treadmill test is a special test with physical activity (exercise bike or treadmill), during which an ECG is performed, the pulse, blood pressure, and general well-being of the patient are monitored. It is used in the absence of regular seizures in order to correct the course of treatment.
• Stimulation through the esophagus.
• Invasive examination (electrophysiology) with thin catheters.

The doctor may also prescribe a general and biochemical blood test, each of which performs separate functions. General analysis reveals inflammatory processes, and biochemistry reveals hyperlipidemia - an increased level of cholesterol, electrolytes or liver enzymes, which is important when prescribing drugs.

First aid for an attack

What to do if you or your loved one gets a seizure?

If the attack occurred for the first time, you need to call an ambulance, since it is almost impossible to determine the type of disease on your own, it is almost impossible to choose a method of assistance.

• While waiting for the ambulance, you need to lie down, ask your relatives to ventilate the room, however, if you have shortness of breath, it is recommended to maintain a semi-sitting position of the body. Often, a change in posture from sitting to lying and vice versa allows you to relieve manifestations of arrhythmias, along with this, breathing exercises and induction of vomiting can help.
• Doctors advise taking 40 drops of Corvalol, one tablespoon of valerian or motherwort.
• To suppress an anxiety attack, you need to enlist the support of loved ones.
• Some patients benefit from manual therapy. You need to close your eyes, lightly press on the eyelids with your fingers every three seconds.

When the pulse drops, the patient's head should be thrown back to open the airways, then loosen the collar of the clothing. In case of fainting, it is necessary to massage the chest, give artificial respiration to the patient.

Home treatment

Some types of arrhythmias, such as chronic ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation, pose a threat to the patient's life, so they require constant therapy and treatment with folk remedies. Unfortunately, the existing methods of drug treatment can save the patient only from bouts of the disease, and surgical intervention is often required to completely get rid of it.

Medicines

Antiarrhythmic drugs for the described disease are dispensed from pharmacies with a prescription from a cardiologist. Depending on the pill, a different effect is exerted on the heart muscle: some lengthen the rhythm of contractions, others accelerate it.

The most common medicines are trimecaine, disopramide, quinidine, lidocaine, etacizin, metoprolol, atenolol, amiodarone, verapamil.

• With sinus tachycardia, beta-blockers are prescribed along with sedatives, vitamins.
• The diagnosis of "sinus bradycardia" will require the administration of vasodilating drugs (for example, Actovegin, aminophylline and others).
• With extrasystole, atropine medications, herbal infusions are prescribed, and potassium preparations are often prescribed. If attacks occur regularly, the patient is admitted to a hospital, treated with a course of lidocaine and other procedures.
• With atrial fibrillation, to improve the patient's condition, digoxin, electro-pulse treatment, as well as anticoagulants, along with potassium preparations, are prescribed. Surgery is often the only treatment.
• Ventricular flutter requires an injection of lidocaine or potassium chloride. When cardiac arrest occurs, emergency defibrillation or surgery is performed.

Anticoagulants have a number of contraindications, so many patients are advised to agree to an operation or the installation of a pacemaker.

Folk remedies

Arrhythmia is one of the phenomena in which doctors recommend resorting to folk recipes, since they are able to supplement and enhance the effect of taking medications. How to treat arrhythmia using folk recipes?

The main components of most herbal preparations and infusions are plants that have a sedative effect on the body: valerian, motherwort, hawthorn.

In the presence of heart rhythm failures, it is necessary to pay attention to the underlying disease that disrupts the normal functioning of the heart: cardiosclerosis, myocarditis, neurosis, etc.

Traditional medicine contains dozens of recipes to smooth out symptoms and restore a normal heartbeat. Which ones are the most effective? We present a list of the most popular options, the use of which is not only not dangerous, but on the contrary - very useful for cores. At least the positive reviews of patients on the forums speak for themselves.

• Pour boiling water over dried calendula flowers (a couple of teaspoons) (half a liter), let it brew for about two hours. Take half a glass of the solution four times a day.
• Collection from yarrow, hop cones, valerian root, lemon balm in a ratio of 2: 2: 3: 3. Pour a tablespoon of this mixture with 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, then strain. Drink 50 ml four times a day.
• Pour 2 teaspoons of dried cornflower flowers with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 60 minutes. Drink 60-70ml 4 times a day.
• Take equal parts of strawberry leaves, sweet clover grass, rose hips, hawthorn fruits, calendula flowers, chicory root, asparagus roots, peppermint, mix. The infusion is prepared from one tablespoon of the collection and 300 ml of boiling water overnight. It is necessary to take 100 ml every 4 hours.
• The procedure for the preparation of the previous infusion is suitable for a mixture of equal parts of fennel fruits, rose hips, dream leaves, watch, strawberries, foxgloves, wild rosemary.
• Another infusion using a similar technology is prepared from a mixture with the following components: meadow clover, yarrow, apple peel, watch leaves, fennel fruits, strawberries, valerian (equal parts).
• Pour 30 g of dried white lake grass with 500 ml of vodka, insist for two weeks, shaking regularly, then strain the resulting liquid, take 30 drops four times a day.
• Infusion of European zyuznik and vodka in a ratio of 1: 5 (to stand for 6 days), take 10 drops 3 times a day.
• Pour 120g of pine tops with 500 ml of vodka, infuse in daylight for 10 days. Take 20 drops 3 times a day, before meals.
• With high blood pressure, you should take a remedy from 1 tablespoon of any honey with 100 ml of beetroot juice 3 times a day.
• If you have a heart palpitations, you can eat figs.
• In the presence of arrhythmia of atherosclerotic origin, it is useful to make a salad of fresh onion gruel and apple pulp.

Aromatherapy can also help you fight seizures at home. Mix equal amount of oil of clove, lemon balm, pine, lavender, nutmeg, sage, thyme, anise, eucalyptus, pour the resulting mixture into an aroma lamp, inhale after another attack.

Infusions of valerian, hawthorn, mint, lemon balm can be added to baths, or brewed teas with these herbs.

Preventive measures

Since various types of arrhythmias are life-threatening and can increase the risk of blood clots, prevention of such diseases is indicated for all patients, even with an irregular nature of symptoms.

The main goal of preventive measures is to prevent sudden death from an attack. According to statistics, approximately 40% of deaths occurred in people who have never experienced a seizure before. Therefore, even a normal state of health, the absence of obvious symptoms is not a guarantee that you are an absolutely healthy person.

Nutrition

The key to the well-being of people with heart problems is proper nutrition. When planning your daily diet, it is recommended to choose foods high in potassium and magnesium, which have a positive effect on the heart muscle. When choosing products, it should be borne in mind that some magnesium-rich foods (seeds, nuts, cereals) contain calcium and phosphorus, which significantly reduce the positive effect of magnesium.

The daily requirement for magnesium and potassium increases with serious physical exertion and stress, as well as with active intellectual work, with digestive disorders.

Prevention is a mandatory component in the presence of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, gastritis, ulcers, problems with the pancreas, diseases of the endocrine system.

Potassium-rich foods:

• Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, cabbage);
• Cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, millet);
• Dried fruits;
• Nuts.

Magnesium-rich foods:

• Seaweed;
• Cocoa;
• Bran;
• Dried apricots;
• Beans;
• Shrimps;
• Nuts;
• Buckwheat honey;
• Sesame;
• Peas.

You should reduce the consumption of fatty foods, concentrate on vegetables, fruits, cereals. Do not overeat, especially in the afternoon, because an overfilled stomach can irritate the parasympathetic nerve, which threatens the normal functioning of the sinus node.

Do not underestimate the beneficial effects of vitamins on the body suffering from arrhythmias. Since one of the common causes of heart rhythm disturbances is the general weakening of the body, vitamins will come in handy. It is recommended to consume more fresh berries, fruits, as well as take multivitamin complexes that saturate the body with useful microelements.

Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle is the main condition for the success of prevention.

First, it is necessary to refuse or reduce to a minimum the intake of alcohol, caffeine and smoking, since all of these habits negatively affect the work of the heart due to the induced psychoactivity.

Secondly, you should diversify your working days with moderate physical exercise, walks in the fresh air. For this purpose, the most suitable sports are swimming, health exercises, and hiking. If the doctor permits more vigorous activity, the list can be supplemented with skiing, exercising on simulators, and jogging.

Third, it is recommended that you constantly track your weight. Extra pounds cause a violation of lipid metabolism, and are also a common cause of diabetes mellitus. Such consequences tend to provoke disturbances in the work of the heart muscle. To control weight, you need to purchase an electronic scale, try to eat low-calorie foods throughout the day.

Fourth, people suffering from arrhythmias need to fight stress with all their might. The modern rhythm of life often causes neuroses, overstrain, which negatively affects the work of the whole organism, and the heart is no exception. For relaxation, meditation, herbal medicine, walks in the fresh air, aromatherapy are suitable.

The information above is for guidance only. If symptoms of arrhythmia are detected, it is necessary to immediately contact a checked medical center to a cardiologist in order to make an accurate diagnosis and receive qualified recommendations for treatment.

In case of violation of the frequency of contractions of the heart and their certain sequence, a diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia is made. This concept includes a large group of diseases that are caused by different causes and lead to certain disruptions in the rhythms of the heart. Cardiac arrhythmia is far from always life-threatening, so the diagnosis should not be scary.

Arrhythmia can occur even in people in the absence of any pathologies. Violation of heart rhythms can cause unbearable physical activity, severe fatigue or excessive alcohol addiction. In this case, special treatment is not required and external provoking factors must be eliminated to normalize the contractions of the heart muscle.

The reasons for the development of arrhythmia

There are a huge number of reasons that cause the development of arrhythmias. Very often, such a diagnosis is made against the background of various diseases of the cardiovascular system:

• Ischemic heart disease;
• High blood pressure;
• Heart defects;
• Damage to the heart valves;
• Myocarditis.

In addition, malfunctioning heart rhythms can cause other illnesses, for example:

• Diseases of the thyroid gland;
• Adrenal pathology;
• Hormonal disorders;
• Diabetes;
• Disturbance in the respiratory system;
• Nervous disorders.

The cause of arrhythmias in children, as a rule, is the increased load on the cardiovascular system associated with the formation and development of the body.

Advice! The condition of a child diagnosed with arrhythmia should be monitored and regularly visited by a cardiologist.

Pregnancy also often leads to the development of cardiac arrhythmias. This is due to the fact that carrying a child significantly increases the load on a woman's heart. In addition, during this period, significant hormonal changes occur, which lead to disturbances in the autonomic nervous system. Among the main risk factors for the development of arrhythmia, it should be noted:

Lack of vitamins and minerals

The reason for heart rhythm disturbances is very often a deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the human body. This leads to the fact that substances important for heart activity do not enter in sufficient quantities into the heart muscle, which responds to a normal heartbeat.

Advice! It should be remembered that a long-term lack of essential vitamins and minerals can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

The following minerals are important for normal heart rhythms:

• Magnesium;
• Potassium;
• Calcium.

Magnesium is a key ingredient in maintaining normal contractions. Its lack impairs the ability to relax the myocardium, and, therefore, the heart does not receive enough oxygen. If magnesium does not enter the human body in the required amount, then a spasm of the heart muscle develops.

In this case, the pulse usually increases, and, therefore, the heart works in an increased load mode, which can provoke heart failure. In addition, due to a lack of magnesium, it causes electrolyte imbalance, and, consequently, impairs the patency of impulses along the pathways of the heart.

If there is a deficiency of potassium, then it is replaced by sodium, which is always available in the required amount in the human body, thanks to the regular use of salt with food.

At the same time, salt retains water in the cells, and, therefore, contributes to the occurrence of swelling of the heart muscle. Consequently, with a deficiency of potassium and magnesium, difficulties arise with the conduction of a magnetic pulse in the heart muscle against the background of edema and insufficient relaxation of the myocardium.

The role of calcium in the proper functioning of the heart muscle is that this element is responsible for its contraction, while magnesium should participate in relaxation. In this regard, if an imbalance of these elements occurs, then cardiac contractions occur.

In certain situations, it is important to make sure that potassium and magnesium are supplied in the right amount to the human body. This will prevent the development of arrhythmias. Potassium and magnesium are especially necessary for the development of arrhythmias against the background:

• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular, with gastritis and ulcers;
• Diseases of the endocrine system, in particular, with diabetes mellitus;
• Unbearable physical activity, including sports training;
• Nervous strain;
• Hard mental work;
• Taking hormonal drugs.

Vitamin deficiency can also lead to arrhythmias. In particular, the following vitamins are important for the normal functioning of the heart muscle:

• Vitamin D, which contributes to the supply of calcium to the heart muscle;
• Vitamin E, which strengthens the fibers of the heart muscle, which makes them more resistant to disturbances in the circulation of electrical impulses;
• Vitamin N (lipoic acid), which is an antioxidant and contributes to the normalization of cholesterol metabolism, and, therefore, reduces the risk of arrhythmias in the presence of atherosclerosis.
• Lecithin, which is involved in their proper nutrition of the cells and provides them.

Signs of arrhythmias of various types

Modern practical medicine has a large number of different types of arrhythmias. They differ:

• The reasons for the occurrence;
• Symptoms;
• The nature of the course of the disease.

A healthy person, as a rule, does not notice the work of the heart. Therefore, the development of arrhythmia can be suspected by the following sensations:

• Increased and palpable heartbeat;
• A sharp jolt in the area of ​​the heart;
• The emergence of a feeling of "sinking" of the heart for a while;
• The presence of discomfort in the heart area.

Tachycardia

An arrhythmia that is characterized by a rapid heartbeat is called tachycardia. This failure is caused by both physiological and pathological reasons. Physiological tachycardia is always associated with some external factors and its treatment involves, most often, their elimination.

For example, a sudden change in body position, overeating or an overdose of medications can lead to a malfunction of heart rhythms. The danger is pathological tachycardia against the background of any heart disease. This type of arrhythmia is characterized by an increased heart rate, while the pulse rate is more than 90 beats per minute.

Advice! It should be understood that if tachycardia is not treated, then heart failure may develop.

External symptoms of tachycardia appear:

• Dizziness;
• Increased heart rate;
• Chest pain.

At the place of occurrence of tachycardia is:

• Atrial;
• Ventricular;
• Nodular, when impulses originate at the border of the atria and ventricles.

The most dangerous is ventricular tachycardia, which is caused by complications of the following severe heart diseases:

• Myocardial infarction;
• Coronary atherosclerosis;
• Postinfarction aneurysm and cardiosclerosis;
• Heart defects;
• Myocarditis.

Advice! You should be aware that a severe attack of tachycardia, which is accompanied by darkening in the eyes, often leads to loss of consciousness. In this case, you should urgently call an ambulance.

Atrial fibrillation or atrial fibrillation is characterized by chaotic excitation of cardiac fibers during the cardiac cycle. This failure in heart rhythms is very dangerous if the attack lasts more than 48 hours, as in this case the risk of blood clots and the development of ischemic stroke increases. The manifestations of atrial fibrillation entirely depend on the following factors:

The most noticeable signs of this type of arrhythmia are:

• Palpitations
• Chest pain and tingling sensation around the heart;
• Weakening of muscles;
• Excessive sweating;
• Shortness of breath while walking;
• Increased urination;
• The emergence of a feeling of panic fear;
• Dizziness, often leading to loss of consciousness.

There are two different forms of atrial fibrillation:

• Chronic that lasts more than a week;
• Passing, which is recurrent.

As a rule, the initial stage of atrial fibrillation is characterized by a paroxysmal form, while the duration of individual attacks and the frequency of their manifestation may be different. Subsequently, in some patients, heart rhythm disturbances can become chronic, while in others non-progressive recurrences can be observed.

Advice! Since atrial fibrillation is almost always diagnosed against the background of cardiac pathologies, its treatment is mandatory.

Extrasystole

Another common type of cardiac arrhythmia is extrasystole. In this case, extraordinary contractions of the heart muscle are felt, which can be localized both in the atria and in the ventricles. This type of arrhythmia is most often observed in healthy people who are addicted to alcohol, coffee, smoking, or take other stimulants.

External signs of a violation are as follows:

• Sudden shortness of breath and difficulty breathing;
• Excessive sweating;
• The emergence of a feeling of fear on the verge of panic;
• Blanching of the skin.

As a pathology associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system, extrasystole can develop only after the age of 50.

Advice! With frequent attacks of extrasystole at a young age, it is imperative to be examined by a cardiologist.

Bradycardia

The diagnosis of arrhythmia is also made when the number of contractions of the heart muscle deviates from the norm. Such a failure of heart rhythms is called bradycardia. With this violation of the heart, the pulse becomes less than 55 - 60 beats per minute. As a result, blood circulation is impaired, and, therefore, the required amount of oxygen does not enter the organs and tissues. This type of arrhythmia can trigger the onset of myocardial infarction or stroke.

If the number of contractions decreases slightly, then signs of a malfunction in heart rhythms may go unnoticed, although they are still threatening.

Advice! Bradycardia must be diagnosed and treated to avoid serious complications.

With a strong slowdown in the pulse, the following obvious symptoms are observed:

• Blood pressure drops;
• Dizziness against the background of a sharp decline in strength;
• Fast fatiguability;
• Cold perspiration;
• The occurrence of temporary vision problems;
• Difficulty breathing even at rest.

When bradycardia occurs, drug treatment is always required, otherwise heart failure may develop.

Heart block

Heart block is a special type of arrhythmia, which is characterized by slowing down or stopping the passage of an impulse through parts of the heart muscle. The hereditary factor and almost all heart diseases can cause the development of this type of arrhythmia. Heart blocks vary:

• By the strength of development;
• According to the severity of failures;
• By localization of areas of impulse obstruction.

The correct treatment is prescribed after assessing the strength of the development of this type of arrhythmia. In this case, the following degrees of severity are distinguished by the nature of the passage of the impulse:

• I degree - with delayed passage;
• II degree - with partial passage;
• III degree - in the complete absence of an impulse.

Heart blockages are life-threatening if there is no impulse at all. During seizures, the number of myocardial contractions is reduced to 30 beats per minute, and if there are large gaps between individual beats, convulsions are possible against the background of loss of consciousness. In some cases, an attack can be fatal.

Arrhythmia diagnostics

Diagnosis of any type of cardiac arrhythmia is carried out by a cardiologist based on the patient's complaints and the examination performed. The main diagnostic study is an electrocardiogram, which is a graphical display of heart rhythms.

But since the attacks of arrhythmia are often periodic in nature, in most cases, daily monitoring of the Holter electrocardiogram is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. For this, a special device is used, which is fixed on the patient's body and allows monitoring the heart rhythms for 24 hours.

In severe cases of cardiac arrhythmia, as a rule, additional examinations are prescribed:

• Echocardiography, which is better known as ultrasound of the heart. This method is very informative, since it can be used to accurately assess the state of all parts of the heart. With the help of modern equipment, you can clearly see any damage to the heart muscle, which leads to the occurrence of arrhythmias.
• Electrophysiological examination of the heart. In this case, a catheter equipped with internal sensors is inserted through a vein into the heart. This method allows you to accurately diagnose arrhythmia of any severity and correctly prescribe treatment.

Arrhythmia treatment

Disturbances in the rhythms of the heart are manifested in a huge variety of forms. Therefore, the treatment of arrhythmias depends on:

• The etiology of the disease;
• The severity of the disease;
• Manifestations of the disease.

If the violation of heart contractions does not occur against the background of cardiac pathology and does not cause concern, it is not necessary to treat arrhythmia with the help of specialized medications. You can relieve discomfort during heart rhythm disturbances with the help of sedatives and depressants. The most famous effective remedies are:

• Corvalol;
• Persen;
• Novopassit.

Advice! A cardiologist should be consulted before taking any medication for arrhythmias.

In addition, non-life-threatening arrhythmias are often treated:

• Special diet;
• Folk methods;
• Respiratory gymnastics;
• Homeopathic remedies;
• Point massage.

In severe cases, signs of arrhythmia are removed with the help of special antiarrhythmic medications. They block andrenoreceptors and interfere with the absorption of adrenaline, and, therefore, normalize heart rhythms.

Advice! Before starting to treat the disease with antiarrhythmic drugs, you should definitely consult with a cardiologist. Depending on the degree and type of disorders, the dosage of drugs may be different.

Any type of arrhythmia provides for additional treatment with the help of special complexes of vitamins and minerals. Magnesium is especially important for cardiac recovery. To restore the electrolyte balance and pathways for impulses in the myocardium, special complexes are prescribed that contain potassium and magnesium.

Surgical treatment of arrhythmias

Quite often, in severe forms of arrhythmias, conservative treatment is ineffective. In this case, it is possible to eliminate this or that damage to the heart muscle, which provokes disruptions in heart rhythms, using surgical methods.

With the help of surgical intervention, arrhythmia can be treated:

• Completely, when the damage to the heart muscle is eliminated and the patient completely gets rid of the attacks;
• Partly when the severity and frequency of attacks decreases.

Modern medicine allows you to eliminate the signs of arrhythmia by various methods of surgical intervention:

• Open cardiac surgery, which involves the removal of pathological areas of the heart muscle;
• Minimally invasive catheter methods, which allow partial or complete destruction of the pathological zone of the heart muscle.

After diagnosing arrhythmia, a person must necessarily revise his lifestyle. It is necessary to lead a correct lifestyle and give up bad habits. At the same time, it is very important to be observed by the same doctor, who will study the features of the disease and will be able to monitor the dynamics of its development, and, if necessary, will promptly respond with the necessary appointments and recommendations.

Arrhythmia is characterized by a violation of the heart rhythm, in which the regularity, frequency and sequence of contractions change. Automatism, conductivity and excitability are impaired. If you have this disease, you need to take action as soon as possible.

Features of arrhythmia

The conduction system, consisting of nodular clusters of certain cells that create and conduct electrical impulses along the heart fibers and bundles, maintains a normal rhythm in the heart. And electrical impulses contribute to excitability and contraction of the myocardium (heart muscle). The conducting system consists of many elements, and all of them can conduct impulses. But the frequency is set by the sinus node, which is located in the upper part of the atrium on the right side.

From the sinus region, electrical impulses spread throughout the heart. Some part is responsible for the process of atrial contraction and excitability, the other is directed to the AV node (atrioventricular), where the impulse slows down a little. This is necessary for the distillation of blood to the ventricles of the heart. Then there is a movement to the bundle of His and further spread to the Purkinje fibers and ventricles.

Rhythm problems arise for 2 reasons:

• the formation of an electrical impulse is disrupted;
• impulse conductivity is disturbed.

In a calm state, there should be from 60 to 80 strokes, after physical exertion, the number of strokes increases, and during sleep, on the contrary, decreases.

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10) has defined the code I49 for arrhythmias (other heart rhythm disorders). Depending on the type of arrhythmia, it is supplemented with figures from I49.0 to I49.9.

Causes of occurrence

Most often, arrhythmia develops against the background of such diseases of cardio-vascular system:

• ischemia of the heart (against this background, the structure of the myocardium changes, the cavities expand);
• myocarditis (electrical stability is impaired);
• heart disease (increased stress on muscle cells);
• heart surgery;
• trauma to the system.

There are also factors affecting the development of arrhythmia:

• abuse of caffeine drinks;
• alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking;
• frequent stress;
• depression;
• unbearable physical activity;
• impaired metabolism;
• deficiency of magnesium and potassium;
• hormonal imbalance and other pathologies of the endocrine system;
• diseases in which the brain suffers;
• infection of the body and intoxication;
• premenopausal period in women.

Symptoms

Symptoms of arrhythmia can be of a different nature. This is due to the influence on the hemodynamics of many internal systems. However, there are general signs:

• the patient feels interruptions in the rhythm;
• heart rate increases;
• dizziness and weakness;
• a feeling of suffocation and angina pectoris;
• cardiogenic shock;
• feeling of sinking heart;
• tremors in the heart.

In medical practice, mute arrhythmia is also noted, in which there is not a single symptom. This type is found during examination.

Types of cardiac arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is classified as follows:

• Sinus type of tachycardia. This arrhythmia is manifested by an accelerated heartbeat with a number of beats per minute over 90 times. The causes are varied - from simple physical activity to heart disease.
• characterized by an irregular alternation of contractions in the myocardium. When a person breathes in, the heart rate is accelerated, and when exhaling, it slows down. Most often, this type is inherent in children and adolescents. It is divided into functional and respiratory arrhythmias.
• Sinus bradycardia. This type of arrhythmia is characterized by a decrease in the rhythm (the number of contractions below 60 beats per minute). It often manifests itself at rest, with arterial hypotension and diseases of the cardiovascular system.
• Paroxysmal ciliated appearance. The heartbeat quickens strongly (up to 240 beats), but the rhythm remains correct. The main reason is the creation of unnecessary impulses in the atrium, which leads to a reduction in the time for resting the heart muscles. It is accompanied by fainting, weakness, pallor and increased perspiration.
• Atrial fibrillation is manifested by an irregular contraction of some fibers of the muscular system of the heart, but the atrium does not contract. In the ventricles, the rhythm is incorrect, the frequency is from 100 to 150 beats. The main reason is alcoholism, inflammation of the thyroid gland and heart disease.

Learn from this video how to check your heart rate yourself, what is atrial fibrillation, and how to get rid of it.

• Simultaneous flicker and flutter in the ventricles occurs in severe conditions of the heart, as well as against the background of intoxication of the body with an overdose of medications. This is the most dangerous type of arrhythmia, since a sudden cessation of the organ's work is possible. The main symptoms are: hoarse breathing, loss of consciousness, convulsions, dilated pupils and no pulse.
• For paroxysmal tachycardia the characteristic frequency of blows is from 140 to 340 times. Appears and disappears suddenly.
• Extrasystole. The heart muscles contract prematurely. It is manifested by a strong push or sinking in the region of the heart.
• At respiratory arrhythmias the abbreviations alternate in the wrong order. This is the safest type of arrhythmia.
• Heart block carries the threat of death, since the conduction of impulses through the myocardium significantly slows down and even stops.

Features of arrhythmia during pregnancy

During pregnancy, arrhythmia can occur against the background of an unusual state of the woman's body. Late toxicosis enhances arrhythmia. In about 20 cases out of 100, paroxysmal tachycardia and extrasystole are found. This is considered normal because the myocardium is not affected. There is also no danger in arrhythmia, which is localized in the atrioventricular node. The most dangerous type of arrhythmia for a pregnant woman is atrial fibrillation. In this case, the question of termination of pregnancy is raised.

Quite often during childbirth, a cesarean section is used, and the woman herself should give birth not in an ordinary maternity hospital, but in a specialized one. Because cardiac pathologies often require emergency medical care.

To protect yourself from the unpleasant consequences of arrhythmia, you must strictly adhere to all the doctor's prescriptions, eat right, follow a diet, have enough rest and take appropriate medications.

Features of arrhythmia in children and adolescents

Arrhythmia in childhood and adolescence occurs quite often, the reasons differ from the etiology of adult arrhythmia. This is a hereditary predisposition, a congenital heart defect, the influence of infectious colds, etc. Symptoms may be absent, but if they are, then they are pronounced. For these reasons, it is recommended to send the child for echocardiography and electrocardiogram at least once a year. This will make it possible to promptly identify irregularities in the heart rhythm.

The prognosis of treatment for children is favorable in many cases, but one should beware of combined arrhythmia, when the rhythm of contractions is disturbed simultaneously in several parts of the heart.

Arrhythmia for adolescence and childhood is characteristic due to hormonal changes in the body, increased growth and development of the child. Children outgrow this state. Therefore, arrhythmia is not always a disease.

Possible complications and consequences

In case of untimely referral to a cardiologist or an incorrectly selected method of treatment, complications arise. This could be the following:

• myocardial infarction;
• strokes;
• thrombosis and thrombophlebitis;
• heart failure;
• sudden death due to cardiac arrest.

How to help with an attack of arrhythmia?

First of all, you need to call the ambulance team. But you can't stay idle while the doctors are traveling:

1. The patient needs to be reassured as much as possible so that he does not get nervous.
2. The position of the body should be comfortable and comfortable, it does not matter whether the patient is sitting or lying down.
3. Try to induce vomiting, it will normalize the heart rate.
4. Give the patient a sedative. It can be valerian, motherwort tincture, "Corvalol" or "Valocordin".

Diagnostics

If you have symptoms of arrhythmia, you should contact 2 specialists - a therapist and a cardiologist. To make a diagnosis, the doctor examines not only the heart, but also the thyroid gland.

Basic examination methods:

1. Electrocardiogram involves the study of the heart using electrodes that are attached to the area of ​​the heart, arms and legs. The duration of the phases and the number of intervals of contractions of the heart muscle are determined.
2. At echocardiography use ultrasonic sensors. The cardiac chambers, the movement of the valve apparatus, the walls, and their size ratio are studied.
3. Holter method carries out daily monitoring. Portable recorders are attached to the patient, which record the readings of cardiac contractions throughout the day. The rhythm is determined during sleep, rest and activity.
4. Artificial initiation of arrhythmia. Standard tests are carried out: mapping, exercise, electrophysiological examination, use of an inclined table.

Traditional treatment

The method of therapy for arrhythmia is selected based on the cause of the development of pathology, the characteristics of the body, the course of the disease. If the cause is heart disease or thyroid disease, then this cause is eliminated. The arrhythmia will disappear on its own. In other cases, such medications from the blocker group:

1. Potassium blockers restore cells. Preparations: Ornid, Amiodarone, Dofetilide, Bretilium, Ibutilid, Sotagexal, Kordaron.
2. Calcium channel blockers: Amlodipine, Brocalcin, Amlodak, Verapamin, Nimotop, Diocardin, Diltiazem, Isoptin.
3. Beta-blockers: Propranolol, Atenolol, Celiprolol, Bisoprolol, Egilok, Metoprolol.
4. Sodium blockers: Ritmilen, Difenin, Phenytoin, Xicain, Mexiletin, Propafenone, Novocainamide, Quinidine, Lidocaine.

With the degradation of the muscle tissue of the heart, surgical methods of intervention:

1. The surgeon conducts pacing, that is, installs a pacemaker, which is an artificial controller of the heart rate. Pacing is used exclusively with a reduced rhythm. Thanks to the ECS, the frequency of contractions is maintained and normalized. The pacemaker performs the functions of a sinus node, supplies electrical impulses to the muscles, and controls their synchronization. The pacemaker is automated, therefore, if necessary, it independently changes the mode. The pacemaker can be installed temporarily or permanently implanted.
2. Radiofrequency catheter ablation is prescribed. This is a minimally invasive method in which the pathological site is cauterized.
3. Implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator is possible.

Patients with arrhythmias are treated on an outpatient basis. In severe cases, it is exclusively stationary.

Folk remedies

To maintain a normal heart rate, use traditional medicine recipes:

• Prepare a natural valerian root tincture. To do this, grind it and fill it with water at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. 200 ml of water. Insist for 12 hours, take a spoonful three times a day. The water should not be hot.
• Pour boiling water over the calendula flowers in the same proportions as in the previous recipe. Let it brew for a couple of hours. Take four times a day, 100 ml.
• Brew tea from lemon balm and mint in the usual way. You can drink several times a day. There should be a break between courses. For example, you drink tea for 2 months, then you rest for a week.
• The hawthorn copes well with arrhythmia. Take 20 grams of dried fruit, pour a glass of quality vodka. Insist 10 days in a dark place. Three times a day, drip 8-12 drops of the tincture into a glass of water and drink.
• If alcohol tincture does not suit you, make a medicinal decoction from hawthorn. For 200 ml of boiling water, you only need 5-6 grams of the flower part of the plant. Fill with water and place the container in a water bath. Take 100 ml before meals three times a day.
• Squeeze out the juice from the black radish, combine it in equal proportion with natural honey and take 2 tsp three times a day.
• Make a healthy salad. To do this, you need a celery root, parsley, dill, sour cream or homemade mayonnaise. Grind all components, add a little salt. If you dress the salad with mayonnaise, then do not add salt. It is enough to eat this salad one serving a day.
• Chop the onion and apple into small pieces. Connect the components. Take the mixture twice a day for a tablespoon, preferably between meals. The duration of the course of treatment is 30 days.
• Rosehip is very useful, but only the seed part. So get out the seeds. They should make two teaspoons. Pour boiling water (350-400 ml), let it brew for a couple of hours. Strain very thoroughly and add honey to taste. Drink 50 ml three times a day. It is strictly forbidden to wash the seed part, otherwise you can wash off the beneficial substances.

If you have problems with the urinary system, be sure to consult with your doctor. Because such recipes for traditional medicine are contraindicated in these pathologies.

Prevention measures

As a preventive measure, follow the usual rules:

• Lead an active lifestyle, do exercises in the morning, take walks.
• Monitor your diet: exclude cholesterol and other unhealthy foods, eat natural vitamins and minerals (vegetables, fruits, seafood, grains, etc.).
• Monitor your blood glucose levels, especially if you have a predisposition to diabetes.
• Give up alcoholic beverages and smoking. Read more about.
• If there is obesity or overweight, urgently lose weight, as this most negatively affects the work of the heart.

If you have a predisposition to arrhythmia, or it manifests itself periodically, be sure to visit a cardiologist. After all, it is better to prevent the disease than to cure it later. Follow the rules of prevention, avoid stressful situations and take care of your own health.