Arrythmias in the Heart
by Tristan & Samantha Bennett
What is Arrhythmia?
- A problem with the rhythm of the heartbeart.
- Too fast = Tachycardia
- Too slow = Bradycardia
- Most common form of arrhythmia is Atrial Fibrillation in which the heartbeat is irregular and tooooooo faaaaaast
BRADYCARDIA = SLOW
TACHYCARDIA = FAST
Atrial Fibrillation in comparison to Normal Heartbeat
Who gets it most?
What the experts say...
"Most serious arrhythmias affect people older than 60." is what the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says on their website. The American Heart Association states: "The prevalence of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias tends to increase with age" so, proven by two different groups, the risk is higher with age.
SYMPTOMS
The most common are...
- Palpitations (feelings that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, or beating too hard or fast)
- A slow heartbeat
- An irregular heartbeat
- Feeling pauses between heartbeats
More serious signs and conditions...
- Anxiety
- Weakness, dizziness, and light-headedness
- Fainting or nearly fainting
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Diagnosis
Checking of family history
Physical Exam (Listening for heart rhythm)
Diagnostic Exams (EKG)
Other Tests (Blood tests, Echocardiogram, Coronary angiography)
(Coronary angiography is a release of dye into the heart vessels to find blockages and such. Echocardiogram is a sound test performed on the heart to check its sound and structure.)
TREATMENT
Medicines for heart speed
Medical procedures to implant certain objects (pacemakers)
Surgery to fix blockages
Other types of temporary treatment (Vagal Maneuvers)
Prognosis
Keep up all medical appointments and live a healthy lifestyle to assure that an arrhythmia will not kill you. Continue to see your doctor for full treatment and a healthy, long life.
~VIDEO~
Arrhythmias - What is an arrhythmia and how is it treated?
Citations
American Heart Association (AHA)
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Johns Hopkins Medicine