Arrhythmia is a violation of the rhythm of heart contractions. The development of the disease is facilitated by the impaired formation of an electrical impulse of the sinus node or its spread in the conduction system of the heart, accompanied by atypical heart rhythm drivers that are located outside the sinus node.
Sinus arrhythmia is caused by congenital disorders of the cardiac conduction system, organic changes in the heart muscle as a result of diseases (myocarditis, cardiosclerosis), as well as hormonal disorders (thyrotoxicosis), functional disorders and a decrease in the level of potassium in the blood, toxic (in case of overdose) effects of medications.
The norm of sinus rhythm is sixty to eighty heartbeats per minute.
Sinus arrhythmia is divided into tachyarrhythmia, bradyarrhythmia and extrasystole.
Sinus tachyarrhythmia occurs in the case of rapid heart rate, which has more than eighty heart contractions per minute. The pulse quickens in case of anxiety, excitement, stress, during physical exertion. This is normal.
Tachyarrhythmia is observed when a rapid heartbeat is observed at rest. This condition of the body signals a disease. It is necessary to accurately determine the cause of the rapid pulse, and then apply the treatment. The most common cause of tachyametria are problems with the thyroid gland, diseases of the autonomic nervous system, and circulatory disorders.
Symptoms include a heart rate of over eighty beats per minute (tachycardia) and a sensation of a heartbeat. The danger lies in the fact that the heart during intensive work does not have enough time to fill up with blood, so blood pressure decreases and the blood supply to organs and tissues worsens. As a result, coronary heart disease and even heart attack can develop.
The second sinus arrhythmia - bradyarrhythmia - occurs at a lower heart rate (less than sixty beats per minute).
The prerequisites for the occurrence are endocrine disorders, coronary heart disease, myocarditis, sclerotic changes in the myocardium, prolonged starvation, sinus node weakness syndrome.
Signs of bradyarrhythmia are a weakened pulse in a calm state (bradycardia), as well as weakness, dizziness, pain in the heart, fainting.
Circulatory disorders and brain hypoxia contribute to the development of the disease . Cardiac arrest and fainting can cause a weakened heart rate of up to forty beats per minute.
Extrasystole is a sinus arrhythmia in which the heart muscle or a separate part of it (atrium, ventricle) contracts prematurely. The cause of the development of the disease is, in most cases, psycho-emotional overload, electrolyte imbalance (potassium deficiency), excessive use of tea and coffee, smoking.
With the normalization of nutrition, lifestyle and rejection of bad habits, the symptoms of the disease are inferior.
Another cause of extrasystole is myocardial damage caused by cardiosclerosis, myocardial dystrophy, coronary heart disease.
Sinus extrasystole manifests itself in a sinking heart, interruptions in its work or sudden heart tremors, periodically arising feelings of anxiety, a feeling of lack of air.
Cardiac output is reduced as a result of frequent extrasystoles. As a result, blood flow in the cerebral, renal and coronary arteries decreases, angina attacks appear, and cerebral circulation is disturbed.
Sinus arrhythmia: treatment
If arrhythmias are based on functional disorders, then drug treatment is not required. Proper nutrition, streamlining the work day and the rhythm of life help eliminate arrhythmias. Often, the doctor recommends taking mild sedatives with a plant base.
Sinus arrhythmia, which developed against a background of diseases of the internal organs, is treated with medications. Sometimes pacemakers and surgery are used.