Statistics show that the number of cardiovascular diseases is gradually increasing. There are quite a few reasons for it. At the initial stage, there is a violation of the heart rhythm. In this state, the main functions are performed unstable, discomfort is felt. However, it is not always possible to notice any deviations yourself.
Normal operation of the circulatory organ
Before talking about a heart rhythm disorder, you need to familiarize yourself with its functioning in the normal state. The work of an organ is an involuntary act. The heart is constantly active: during rest and physical exertion. A person does not make any effort to maintain a certain frequency of contractions to maintain blood pressure in the circulatory system.
Work is provided by the sinoatrial node, which is a control structure that generates a bioelectric impulse. Excitation is transmitted to the muscular layer of the atria through the conduction system. The impulse transfer mustbe synchronous, otherwise the chambers will not be pressurized.
With the simultaneous contraction of the atria, blood enters the ventricles. The myocardium in this case is relaxed. After the atrial contraction, the impulse is momentarily delayed so that the muscle tissue fully contracts to fill the ventricles as much as possible. The buildup of pressure inside the chambers causes some valves to close and others to open.
Etiology of abnormal contractions
When the heart rhythm is disturbed, there is a disorder of automatism, excitability or conduction. All of the above options can be found in combination. Violations of contractility lie in the development of heart failure. They cannot be the cause of the arrhythmia.
Typically, the etiology involves several factors:
- Myocardial damage leading to hypertrophic changes, ischemia, cardiosclerosis and dilatation of the internal cavities of the ventricles and atria.
- Functional factors related to imbalance in the autonomic nervous system during emotional or physical activity or when using tonic drinks and substances (tea, nicotine, coffee).
- Electrolyte problems that may be most noticeable in the presence of hypokalemia.
- Iatrogenic factors caused by cardiac glycosides and antiarrhythmic drugs.
More about violation mechanisms
Impulse problems can cause heart disease. Rhythm disturbance inin this case, it is associated with abnormal automatism, the foci of which can be located in the atria, around the atrioventricular valves, and some other places. The formation of ectopic sources helps to reduce the rhythmic contractions of the sinus node.
Arrhythmia often occurs due to disturbances in the ability to conduct an impulse, and problem areas can be located anywhere in the cardiac system. An obstruction in the path of the transmitted signal is accompanied by asystole, blockade, and bradycardia. Suitable conditions are created for the appearance of a circular motion.
In the presence of trigger activity, trace depolarization usually occurs in the initial stage of the resting phase or at the end of repolarization. The reason, as a rule, lies in the violation of transmembrane channels.
Circular circulation of the exciting wave occurs in the presence of a closed circuit. It can occur in the ventricles and atria, the sinus node and any conduction zone of the organ. This mechanism can lead to the development of atrial fibrillation, as well as to paroxysmal tachycardia.
What does a patient examination include?
In medical institutions, the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias is carried out. The patient is asked in detail about the condition and research is carried out using clinical and instrumental methods. Doctors identify the causes of arrhythmia in a particular case.
In the process of diagnosing heart rhythm disorders, special equipment and various methods are used.
- Electrocardiography is the most popular research method. It involves the use of a device equipped with electrodes, which are fixed with suction cups to the legs, arms and chest of a person. In working condition, the device allows you to take readings of cardiac activity. When the examination is completed, a graph is printed showing the contraction intervals in each phase.
- The Holter method involves fixing a special registrar on the patient's arm, which records the indicators of cardiac activity during the day. The person at this time continues to do their usual things. The device is small in size, so it does not interfere so much. After taking the testimony, the patient is given a definite diagnosis.
- Echocardiography is a study using an ultrasound probe. After the procedure, it is possible to obtain sufficiently complete information about the state of cardiac activity. You can see the internal chambers, the movements of the valves and the walls.
In addition, special tests help to establish the cause of heart rhythm disturbance. One of them is the tilt table option. It is used in cases where a person often loses consciousness, but it is not possible to understand why this is happening. The main task is to create conditions for venous outflow in order to provoke signs of certain diseases.
What symptoms may indicate an arrhythmia?
A heart rhythm disorder is aunpredictable. Very often a person does not feel any changes in the work of the body. An unexpected diagnosis in many cases is made only after the examination. However, in some situations, the disease actively manifests itself.
What are the symptoms of a heart rhythm disorder? This is:
- recurring dizziness;
- perceptible interruptions in the work of the heart;
- frequent bouts of shortness of breath;
- presence of pain in the chest area;
- the occurrence of fainting.
However, you should not be guided only by the listed symptoms, as they can also occur with other diseases. In any case, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination. If you have these signs, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Possible negative consequences
With the symptoms and causes of heart rhythm disturbance, everything became clear. However, it is worth knowing what complications this ailment can lead to.
- The occurrence of a stroke can be fatal. In the atria, blood flow slows down, clots appear. As a result, the vessels of the brain are clogged, a stroke occurs.
- Congestive heart failure is expressed in the inefficiency of contractions of the heart muscle. It is noted with a long period of the disease. In this case, constant monitoring of the work of the body is necessary.
What are preventive measures?
To protect your child from possibleviolations in the rhythm of the heart, it is necessary to carefully plan his daily routine and visit a medical institution with him for regular examination of the cardiovascular system. When an illness occurs, the factors that provoke the disease should be eliminated.
Prevention in adults includes:
- giving up bad habits;
- balanced diet;
- normal mode of work and rest;
- full sleep.
The heart is the engine of the human circulatory system. Human life depends on its normal functioning. It is not always possible to notice failures in its work, so the disease flows into a more complex form. Preventive measures will only help reduce the likelihood of a disease in a particular person.
Treatment for heart rhythm disorders
Once the diagnosis is established, further actions depend on the severity of the disease. In some cases, it is enough to change the lifestyle, while in others it is necessary to use medications. Sometimes even certain surgical procedures are required.
In the treatment of heart rhythm disorders, antiarrhythmic drugs are often prescribed to control the frequency of contractions. Along with them, antiplatelet therapy may be prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots that can provoke a stroke.
Medications are not always able to help with arrhythmias. Sometimes a special anesthetic is injected into the chest toexerting an electrical effect on a certain area. This method makes it possible to synchronize the functional abilities of the organ, helping to restore the normal rhythm.
In the presence of ventricular tachycardia, a defibrillator is often used, implanted in a specific area to constantly control and stimulate the heart muscle. In some cases, surgery may be required.
There are a large number of antiarrhythmic drugs, the effect of which can vary significantly. Therefore, they should be prescribed only by a doctor, revealing the true cause of heart rhythm disturbance. Treatment involves the use of four classes of drugs:
- Membrane stabilizers.
- Beta-blockers.
- Means that slow down repolarization.
- Calcium channel blockers.
In the mechanism of action of the listed medicines, an important role is played by influencing cell membranes and improving the transport of ions. The antiarrhythmic effect is characteristic of some drugs that regulate metabolism.
Traditional classification of cardiac arrhythmias
Arrhythmia is divided into three broad categories, if we take into account the mechanism of occurrence itself. Such a classification is conditional, since diseases often have a combinational nature.
| Type | Subgroup | Description |
| Violationautomatism | Nomotopic | This category includes sinus bradycardias, tachycardias, arrhythmias, and SU weakness syndrome |
| Heterotopic | This group includes: atrioventricular dissociation, supraventricular rate migration, slow escape complexes and rhythms | |
| Violation of conduction | Slowdown | This includes bundle blockades and others (sinoauricular, atrioventricular, intraatrial) |
| Speed up | The category of such arrhythmias includes Wolff-Parkinson-White and Clark-Levi-Christesco syndromes | |
| Irritability disorder | Extrasystole | Represents untimely depolarization and contraction of the main circulatory organ |
| Paroxysmal tachycardia | Characterized by bouts of rapid heartbeat lasting from a few seconds to two or three days | |
| Fluttering and flickering of the ventricles and atria | Symptomatic often occurs due to a decrease in coronary blood flow, most often leading to organ dysfunction |
Learn more about common arrhythmias
Examination of different types of disease will allow us to understand what kind of heart rhythm disturbances are characteristic of them.
- Sinus tachycardiainvolves an increase in the number of organ contractions to more than a hundred per minute. Usually it is a natural response of the cardiovascular system to excessive physical exertion or emotional overstrain. However, she is sometimes found at rest.
- Sinus bradycardia is characterized by a slow heart rate. The frequency of contractions may drop to 30-50 beats per minute. A similar condition is observed in athletes due to changes in the blood circulation regimen. However, with pathology, the symptoms are more pronounced.
- Sinus arrhythmia is a disease in which contractions of the heart muscle alternate in different ways. It can be functionally related to breathing. If it is present, the state of he alth does not worsen.
- Extrasystole is an extraordinary contraction of the heart. In rare cases, such a rhythm can be observed in he althy people. In case of illness, strong tremors or fairly long fading are felt.
- Paroxysmal tachycardia is the normal work of the heart muscle, but with a slightly increased frequency. She appears and disappears suddenly. When it occurs, there is increased sweating.
- Blockades impair or completely stop the conduction of impulses directly through all structures. If they are present, the pulse may disappear for a while, convulsions and fainting are possible.
- Atrial fibrillation is a chaotic contraction of individual muscle fibers. This condition mostly occurs in patients who have heart disease or thyroid disease.
Use of folk remedies for treatment
There are a huge number of prescriptions for the prevention and treatment of various types of arrhythmias. Some recommendations for cardiac arrhythmias may be useful to increase the effect of the overall complex of traditional therapy.
- Valerian root infusion is a universal remedy for problems with the cardiovascular system. For cooking, you need to add a tablespoon of herbs to 200-250 ml of warm water. You need to insist about 12 hours. Strain the remedy and take orally in a dessert spoon 3-4 times a day.
- An infusion of calendula flowers is prepared within 1 hour. Two teaspoons of the starting substance are added to half a liter of water. It should be consumed 4 times a day, 3-4 tablespoons each.
- Asparagus infusion is made from young shoots of medicinal herbs. Not to be confused with regular food product. A handful of shoots is poured with one glass of boiling water. You can take the remedy after 4 hours. It is enough to take 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day.
It must be remembered that any alternative methods of treatment should be discussed with the doctor who prescribes medications and gives recommendations on the daily routine. He knows the true cause of heart rhythm disturbance, therefore he is able to assess the benefits or harms of the foods or herbs taken.
