Heart rhythm disturbances: classification, causes, symptoms, treatment, recommendations

Statistics show that the number of cardiovascular ailments is gradually increasing. There are quite a few reasons for this. At the initial stage, there is a violation of the heart rhythm. In this condition, the main functions are unstable, discomfort is felt. However, it is not always possible to notice any deviations myself.

Normal circulatory system

Before talking about the violation of the heart rhythm, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with its functioning in the normal state. The work of the body is an involuntary act. The heart is constantly active: during rest and physical activity. A person does not make any efforts to maintain a certain frequency of contractions to maintain blood pressure in the circulatory system.

The work is provided by the sinoatrial node, which is a control structure that generates a bioelectric pulse. The excitation is transmitted to the muscle layer of the atria through the conducting system. The pulse transmission must be synchronous, otherwise the pressure in the chambers will not be created.

With a simultaneous reduction in the atria, blood enters the ventricles. Myocardium in this case is relaxed. After atrial contraction, the impulse is momentarily delayed so that the muscle tissue is fully compressed for the greatest filling of the ventricles. The increase in pressure inside the chambers leads to the closure of some valves and the opening of others.

Etiology of contractions

In violation of the rhythm of the heart, a disorder of automatism, excitability or conduction is noted. All of these options can be found in combination. Violations of contractility lie in the development of heart failure. They cannot be the cause of arrhythmia.

Typically, the etiology includes several factors:

• Myocardial damage, leading to hypertrophic changes, ischemia, cardiosclerosis and dilatation of the internal cavities of the ventricles and atria.
• Functional factors regarding imbalance in the autonomic nervous system with emotional or physical activity or with the use of tonic drinks and substances (tea, nicotine, coffee).
• Problems with electrolyte metabolism, which can be most noticeable in the presence of hypokalemia.
• Iatrogenic factors caused by cardiac glycosides and antiarrhythmic drugs.

More on violation mechanisms

Impulse formation problems can cause heart disease. Violation of the rhythm in this case 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 impaired ability to conduct an impulse, and problem areas can be found in any part of the cardiac system. The obstruction in the path of the transmitted signal is accompanied by asystole, blockade, bradycardia. For the appearance of circular motion, suitable conditions are created.

In the presence of trigger activity, trace depolarization usually occurs at 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.

The circular circulation of the exciting wave occurs in the presence of a closed loop. It can occur in the ventricles and atria, the sinus node and any conductive area 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, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias is carried out. The patient is questioned in detail about the condition and research is carried out by clinical and instrumental methods. Doctors identify the causes of arrhythmias in a particular case.

In the process of diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias, special equipment and various methods are used.

1. Electrocardiography is the most popular research method. It involves the use of a device equipped with electrodes that 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. Upon completion of the survey, a schedule is printed allowing you to see the reduction intervals in each phase.
2. The Holter method involves fixing a special registrar on the patient’s arm, which records cardiac activity during the day. A person at this time continues to do his usual business. The device is small, so it does not interfere so much. After taking the testimony, the patient is given a specific diagnosis.
3. Echocardiography is an examination using an ultrasound transducer. After conducting it is possible to obtain sufficiently complete information about the state of cardiac activity. Internal chambers, valve and wall movements are visible.

In addition, special tests help establish the cause of heart rhythm disturbances. One of them is an option with an inclined table. It is used in cases where a person often loses consciousness, and 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 the presence of arrhythmia?

A heart rhythm disorder is unpredictable. Very often a person does not feel any changes in the work of the body. In many cases, an unexpected diagnosis is made only after an examination. However, in some situations, the disease actively manifests itself.

What can be the symptoms of heart rhythm disturbance? It:

• regularly occurring dizziness;
• palpable interruptions in the work of the heart;
• frequent bouts of lack of air;
• the presence of pain in the chest;
• the occurrence of fainting conditions.

However, you should not be guided only by the listed symptoms, since they can occur with other diseases. In any case, you must undergo a medical examination. If there are such signs, you should visit a doctor in the near future.

Possible negative consequences

With the symptoms and causes of cardiac arrhythmias, everything became clear. However, it is worth knowing what complications this disease can lead to.

1. The occurrence of a stroke can lead to death. In the atria there is a slowdown in blood flow, clots appear. As a result, the vessels of the brain become clogged, a stroke occurs.
2. Congestive heart failure is expressed in the ineffectiveness of contractions of the heart muscle. It is noted with a long period of the disease. In this case, constant monitoring of the body.

What are the preventive measures?

To protect your child from possible disturbances in the rhythm of the heart, you need to carefully plan his daily regimen and visit a medical institution with him for a regular examination of the cardiovascular system. If an ailment occurs, the factors provoking the disease should be eliminated.

Prevention in an adult includes:

• rejection of bad habits;
• balanced diet;
• normal mode of work and rest;
• full sleep.

The heart is the engine of the circulatory system of people. Human life depends on its normal functioning. It is not always possible to notice failures in his 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.

Heart Rhythm Treatment

After diagnosis, further steps depend on the severity of the disease. In some cases, it is enough to change the way of life, and in others it is necessary to use medications. Sometimes even certain surgical procedures are required.

In the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, antiarrhythmic drugs are often prescribed to control the frequency of contractions. Together with them, antiplatelet therapy can be prescribed, aimed at reducing the risk of blood clots, which can provoke a stroke.

Not always medicines can help with arrhythmias. Sometimes a special anesthetic is injected into the chest to exert an electrical effect on a specific area. This method makes it possible to synchronize the functional abilities of an organ, contributing to the restoration of a normal rhythm.

In the presence of ventricular tachycardia, a defibrillator is often used, which is implanted in a specific area to constantly monitor and stimulate the heart muscle. In some cases, surgical intervention may be required.

There are a large number of antiarrhythmic drugs, the effects of which can vary significantly. Therefore, they should be prescribed only by a doctor, identifying the true cause of heart rhythm disturbances. Treatment involves the use of means of four classes:

1. Membrane stabilizers.
2. Beta-blockers.
3. Means that slow down repolarization.
4. Calcium channel blockers.

In the mechanism of action of these medicines, an important role is played by influencing cell membranes and improving ion transport. Antiarrhythmic effect is characteristic of some drugs that regulate metabolism.

Traditional classification of cardiac arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is divided into three large categories, if we take into account directly the mechanism of occurrence. Such a classification is conditional, since diseases are often of a combinational nature.

More on Common Arrhythmias

Examination of various types of disease will help to understand what kind of heart rhythm disturbances are characteristic of them.

• Sinus tachycardia involves an increase in the number of organ contractions to more than one hundred per minute. Usually it is a natural response of the cardiovascular system to excessive physical exertion or emotional overstrain. However, it is sometimes found at rest.
• Sinus bradycardia is characterized by a slow heart rate. The frequency of contractions can be reduced to 30-50 beats per minute. A similar condition is noted in athletes due to changes in blood circulation. 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 may, from a functional point of view, be associated with breathing. With its presence, health does not deteriorate.
• Extrasystole is an extraordinary contraction of the heart. In rare cases, such a rhythm can be observed in healthy people. In case of illness, strong shocks or rather 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, increased sweating is noted.
• Blockades worsen or completely stop the conduction of impulses directly across all structures. If they exist, the pulse may disappear for a while, convulsions and fainting are possible.
• Atrial fibrillation is a chaotic contraction of individual muscle fibers. This condition mainly occurs in patients who have heart disease or thyroid disease.

The use of folk remedies for treatment

There are a huge number of recipes for the prevention and treatment of various types of arrhythmias. Some recommendations for heart rhythm disturbances may come in handy to enhance the effect of the general complex of traditional therapy.

1. An infusion of valerian roots is a universal remedy for problems with the cardiovascular system. For cooking, you need to add a tablespoon of grass in 200-250 ml of warm water. You need to insist about 12 hours. The tool is filtered and taken orally on a dessert spoon 3-4 times a day.
2. Infusion of calendula flowers is prepared within 1 hour. Two teaspoons of the starting material are added to half a liter of water. On the day it should be consumed 4 times 3-4 tablespoons.
3. Asparagus infusion is made from young shoots of medicinal herbs. Not to be confused with a regular food product. A handful of shoots is poured with one glass of boiling water. You can take the drug 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 the drugs and gives recommendations on the daily schedule. He knows the true cause of heart rhythm disturbance, therefore he is able to assess the benefits or harms of the products or herbs taken.