People often say: "I feel very uncomfortable in my heart for a while, my heart is pounding, fast for a while, slow for a while." ”
What's going on? Is it normal?
01. What is arrhythmia?
The heart is supplied with blood by four chambers.
But few people understand that the heart also needs to have a "circuit system" to "power it", which is what doctors often call a conduction system.
The "headquarters" of this electrical system is called the "sinus node", which is located near the right atrium, and it is responsible for "generating electricity" to all parts of the heart, issuing the highest commands, and the current generated is transmitted throughout the heart through the atrioventricular node, His bundle, left and right bundle branches, and other structures to direct the work of the heart.
Heart rhythm, as the name suggests, refers to the rhythm of the heart, which is what we call the heartbeat.
Arrhythmia, to put it bluntly, is a problem with the heart's "electrical system", so there are problems in various parts of the heart, which is manifested as various arrhythmias.
02. What are the common types of arrhythmia?
Sinus arrhythmia
The work of the "commander" of the sinus node is affected, and the frequency of giving orders may be fast or slow, but the heart will still work under the leadership of the "commander".
In this case, we call it "sinus arrhythmia".
Early-hsien
Normally, the sinus node is a natural "commander".
Therefore, under certain conditions, such as hunger and cold (ischemia, hypoxia), internal environmental disorders (hyperkalemia), and other environments, they do not want to obey the orders of their superiors at all, but rush to issue orders, and then "arrhythmia" will occur.
At this time, if there are only one or a few dissidents, but the "commander" still controls the overall situation, and the basic rhythm of the heartbeat is still there, only "premature beats" may occur.
tachycardia
If the dissidents succeed in stealing the right to speak and grasp the rhythm of the heartbeat, or if the orders of the "headquarters" are reversed in the ventricles through the sick "heralds", if the "heralds" should have delivered orders in only one direction, but he took it upon himself to pass orders in other directions.
At this time, this order circles among the "heralds" and turns back, a phenomenon also called "turnback". At this time, the heart muscle at work can be miserable.
Why?
Originally, the "commander" was forbidden by order, but because of the reentry, there would be a cycle of commands, and the heart would keep contracting, and the heartbeat would increase.
This reentry of the atrium, atrioventricular node, and ventricles is called "tachycardia."
Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter
When many people in the "headquarters compound" issue orders casually, and the "soldiers" (ventricular muscles) have to obey any orders from their superiors, so the rhythm and strength of the heartbeat become irregular, which we call "atrial fibrillation".
There is a certain pattern of strength and weakness, which we call "atrial flutter".
Ventricular fibrillation
If each dissident is unable to master the main rhythm, each person does his own thing, the commands are not uniform, and the heart cannot form an effective contraction, which we call "ventricular fibrillation".
cardiac arrest
In order for the heart to function smoothly, some cells in the heart differentiate into these "messengers", and their main job is to transmit commands from the sinus node to the "soldiers" involved in contractions, thus producing contractions.
However, if the "herald" is "lazy" in doing things, or simply conceals the orders of the "commander" from the "commander", it may cause the rhythm of the heart to slow down or even pause, a phenomenon that we call "conduction block" or "cardiac arrest".
03. What are the symptoms of arrhythmia?
The symptoms of arrhythmia vary from person to person, some people may not feel anything, and some people may experience some of the following symptoms:
Palpitation: Feeling that your heart is beating fast, strong, or irregularly. It may be accompanied by emotional reactions such as anxiety, fear, and nervousness.
Chest tightness: A feeling of pressure or suffocation in the chest. It may be accompanied by physical reactions such as sweating, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Shortness of breath: Feeling that you have trouble breathing or can't breathe. It may be accompanied by respiratory reactions such as cough, hemoptysis, and cyanosis.
Dizziness: Feeling that the head is heavy or dizzy, which may be accompanied by nervous system reactions such as tinnitus, blackness, and loss of balance.
Fainting: Feeling confused or unconscious. It may be accompanied by serious consequences such as convulsions, urinary incontinence, and tongue bites.
04. How to diagnose arrhythmia?
The diagnosis of arrhythmias is based on the following methods:
Electrocardiogram: is the most commonly used method for diagnosing arrhythmias.
Holter ECG: It is divided into conventional Holter ECG, wearable ECG device, and implantable ECG device, which can continuously record ECG for 24 hours or more.
Electrophysiological studies: classified as esophageal pacing or intracardiac electrophysiology, are the most accurate methods for diagnosing complex or refractory arrhythmias.
05. How to treat arrhythmia?
Treatment of arrhythmias is individualized according to the specific type and cause, and mainly includes the following methods:
drug therapy
Use of medications that regulate heart rate or normalize rhythms, such as β-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, antiarrhythmics, etc.
Shock cardioversion
This method is suitable for life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, etc.
Artificial pacemaker
This is a small device capable of emitting a weak electric current that is connected to a certain part of the heart by a wire that is able to monitor and regulate the speed and rhythm of the heartbeat. This method is suitable for some arrhythmias that are slow in heartbeat.
Radiofrequency ablation
This is a method that uses a high-frequency electric current to generate heat energy through a catheter into the heart chambers and cauterizes away the abnormal tissue that causes the arrhythmia, thereby eliminating the source of the arrhythmia. This method is suitable for some rapid or irregular arrhythmias, such as premature beats, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, etc.
Cardiac defibrillators
This is a device capable of pacing and shocking at the same time, connected to a certain part of the heart by a wire, capable of monitoring and correcting life-threatening tachyarrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, etc.
06. How to prevent arrhythmia?
Control risk factors
Actively treat and control underlying diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and hyperthyroidism, and avoid inducing or aggravating arrhythmias.
Regular life
Maintain a good routine and avoid factors that affect heart function, such as overwork, mood swings, and lack of sleep.
Rational feasting
Eat less greasy, spicy, salty and sour foods and eat more fresh, light, vitamin-rich foods and heart-healthy foods such as potassium and magnesium.
Exercise moderately
According to your physical condition and the doctor's advice, choose the exercise method and intensity that suits you, such as walking, jogging, swimming and other aerobic exercises, to enhance your physical fitness and cardiopulmonary function.
Quit smoking and limit alcohol
Try to avoid or reduce smoking and alcohol consumption, as these can cause damage and irritation to the heart, inducing or aggravating arrhythmias.
Regular check-ups
Regular physical examinations and electrocardiogram examinations are performed to detect and treat arrhythmias in a timely manner and prevent serious complications.
Source: Henan Provincial Chest Hospital