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Arrhythmia

Also called: Irregular heartbeat
Has your heart ever skipped a beat? Sometimes it really does if you have an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is any disorder of your heart rate or rhythm. It means that your heart beats too quickly, too slowly or with an irregular pattern. When the heart beats faster than normal, it is called tachycardia. When the heart beats too slowly, it is called bradycardia.
Many factors can affect your heart's rhythm, such as having had a heart attack, blood chemistry imbalances or abnormal hormone levels. Some substances or medicines may also cause arrhythmias.
Symptoms of arrhythmias include
  • Fast or slow heart beat
  • Skipping beats
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Paleness
  • Sweating

How are arrhythmias diagnosed?

Tests used to diagnose an arrhythmia or determine its cause include:
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Holtor monitor
  • Event Monitor
  • Stress test
  • Echocardiogram
  • cardiac catheterization
  • Electrophysiology study (EPS)
  • Head-up tilt table test

How are arrhythmias treated?

Treatment depends on the type and seriousness of your arrhythmia. Some people with arrhythmias require no treatment. For others, treatments can include medication, making lifestyle changes and undergoing surgical procedures.

What medications are used to treat arrhythmias?

A variety of drugs are available to treat arrhythmias. These include:
  • Antiarrhythmic drugs. These drugs control heart-rate, and include beta blockers
  • Anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. These drugs reduce the risk of blood blood clots and include warfarin (a "blood thinner") or aspirin .
Because everyone is different, it may take trials of several medications and doses to find the one that works best for you.



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