The violation of the heart rhythm, which is accompanied by the appearance of extraordinary contractions of the heart, is known in medicine under the term "extrasystole". Treatment in this case is possible, but it is extremely important to consult a doctor on time. In the absence of therapy, pathological malfunctions in the heart can lead to sudden death of a person. That is why it is worth learning more about the causes and symptoms of the disease.
Extrasystole of the heart: what is it?
Many people are interested in additional information about this pathology. Why does cardiac extrasystole develop? What it is? How dangerous can this condition be?
Extrasystole (code ICD-10 - I49) is a violation of the heart rhythm, which leads to the appearance of multiple or single extraordinary contractions of the myocardium. It is worth noting that both the whole heart and only its individual chambers can contract.
This condition may be physiological. For example, extrasystole is often observed in professional athletes.
Dangerous are heart rhythm disturbances that develop against the background of certain diseases. According to statistics, patients older than 50–55 years are most often affected by extrasystole.
Neurogenic extrasystole
According to statistics, up to 200 extrasystoles may appear in a healthy person per day. This is considered the norm, so do not worry about this. What triggers the appearance of physiological (neurogenic) extrasystole? The reasons may be different:
- drinking too much coffee or strong tea;
- alcohol abuse;
- smoking;
- drug use;
- stress
- emotional overstrain, neurosis-like conditions;
- in women, extrasystoles become more frequent during menstruation.
Extraordinary heart beats are often recorded in professional athletes, which is associated with the features of their activity and changes in the heart against the background of increased physical activity.
Diseases accompanied by extrasystole
It is worth noting once again that no more than 20 extraordinary reductions may occur per day. Otherwise, we can talk about pathological, organic extrasystole. The reasons for this violation of the heart rhythm are different. The list of risk factors is quite extensive:
- various heart defects;
- cardiomyopathy;
- cardiosclerosis;
- various forms of heart failure;
- pericarditis, endocarditis, myocarditis and other pathologies accompanied by inflammation of the membranes of the heart;
- mitral valve prolapse;
- hemochromatosis, which also leads to damage to the heart muscle;
- myocardial dystrophy;
- coronary artery disease;
- myocardial lesions associated with thyrotoxicosis;
- risk factors include allergic reactions, intoxication with infections and severe poisoning;
- it is proved that, at times, extrasystoles appear while taking certain drugs, including, for example, diuretics, sympatholytics, ephedrine, antidepressants.
The mechanism of development: what happens on the background of pathology?
Normally, heart contractions are triggered by physiological pacemakers, in particular, the sinus-atrial node. If we are talking about extrasystole, then the impulse comes from additional sources - ectopic sites of increased activity, which are located, for example, in the atria or ventricles. In connection with such activity, unplanned myocardial contractions occur during the diastole period.
Extrasystole: classification
To date, there are many classification schemes for this pathology. Depending on the localization of the focus of excitation, the following forms are distinguished:
- ventricular extrasystole (impulses occur in any part of the legs of the bundle of His and extend only to the ventricles, the rhythm of the atria is not broken);
- atrioventricular extrasystole is associated with impulses that form in the Aschoff-Tawar node and extend to both the ventricles and the atria;
- atrial extrasystole is caused by the appearance of excitement in the ectopic foci of the atria (the impulse in this case first causes atrial contractions, and then partially affects the activity of the ventricles).
Depending on the causes of development, extrasystole may be:
- functional;
- organic;
- toxic.
Take into account the sequence of extraordinary reductions:
- bigemia - in this case, extrasystole occurs after each physiologically correct myocardial contraction;
- trigeminia - an additional reduction appears after every two physiological systoles;
- quadrigeminia - an extraordinary systole follows after every three contractions.
Features of the clinical picture
What does extrasystole look like? Symptoms in this case directly depend on the general condition of the patient and the presence of concomitant pathologies.
Some people do not feel extraordinary contractions at all - their pathology is almost asymptomatic.
If extrasystole has arisen against the background of vegetovascular dystonia, then a sensation of strong tremors of the heart is possible. Some patients note that they feel a sinking heart , followed by a sharp increase in rhythm.
There are other features that may be accompanied by extrasystole. Symptoms may be associated with the functioning of the nervous system - some people feel unexplained anxiety and intense fear during a heart rhythm failure. Possible flushes of heat, pallor of the skin, excessive sweating, trouble breathing. Short-term sinking of the heart resembles a feeling of a rapid fall. Sometimes shortness of breath and sharp pain in the sternum join the above symptoms.
Are complications possible?
Unfortunately, many people face such a problem as extrasystole. Treatment, in most cases, helps to correct the patient's condition. Nevertheless, sometimes such pathologies turn into more dangerous pathologies.
What is the danger of extrasystole? It is worth noting that the frequency of ventricular contractions often ends with the development of paroxysmal tachycardia, and the violation of the atrial rhythm with their flutter. Among the most dangerous complications include ventricular fibrillation, which often ends in sudden and almost instant death. Extrasystoles, at times, lead to chronic insufficiency of renal, cerebral or coronary circulation.
Diagnostic measures
The doctor may suspect the presence of such a violation even at the stage of collecting an anamnesis and a general examination. In the future, laboratory tests are carried out, in particular, a biochemical and general blood test, as well as a test to determine the level of thyroid hormones. The results of these analyzes make it possible to determine the extracardial cause of the occurrence of rhythm disturbances. Further, other diagnostic procedures are carried out.
- Extrasystole is visible on the ECG. On the electrocardiogram, the doctor can determine the presence of extrasystoles, understand their nature, measure the frequency of extraordinary contractions.
- Daily results of ECG monitoring give more complete results. This procedure allows you to not only accurately determine the frequency and nature of extrasystoles, but also to understand what provokes them, and at what time of day they usually occur.
- Bicycle ergometry - ECG and blood pressure indicators are recorded against the background of physical exertion (an exercise bike is used during the procedure).
- Additionally, such procedures as echocardiography, stress echocardiography, and, sometimes, and MRI are performed. These studies allow us to determine the presence of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, as well as other organ systems.
Based on the results, the doctor draws up an effective treatment regimen.
What treatment regimen can modern medicine offer?
What to do to a patient who has an extrasystole? Treatment in this case directly depends on the causes of extraordinary heart contractions. If extrasystoles are single and do not pose a particular threat, then therapy may not be required at all.
In cases of neurogenic extrasystole, patients are prescribed sedative drugs, tranquilizers. Patients are also recommended to abandon bad habits, temporarily reduce physical activity, monitor nutrition more carefully and, of course, regularly undergo medical examinations.
If cardiac arrhythmias are associated with the use of certain drugs, then they need to be urgently canceled and safer drugs selected.
Therapy for extrasystole, which arose against the background of diseases of the digestive, nervous, endocrine systems, boils down to the treatment of precisely the main diseases. Sometimes patients are also prescribed antiarrhythmic drugs. Such funds as Amiodarone, Kordaron, Novokainamid are considered good. The dosage and schedule of administration are determined individually.
The most dangerous is the ventricular form of extrasystole if the daily frequency of extraordinary heart contractions reaches 20-30 thousand. If antiarrhythmic therapy does not allow the relief of symptoms, then a surgical operation is performed.
Alternative methods of treatment
Can you help yourself if you have been diagnosed with extrasystole? Alternative treatment is possible, and herbalists offer a huge number of recipes.
- You can establish a heart rhythm using a regular infusion of valerian root (it can be purchased at a pharmacy). This tool is most effective if the extrasystole is neurogenic and is caused by stress.
- Good results can be achieved with a decoction of blue cornflowers. The flowers of this plant (about a teaspoon) need to pour a glass of boiling water. Close the container, let it brew, and then strain. You need to take it three times a day for a quarter cup (it is better to drink a decoction 15 minutes before eating).
- Calendula infusion will also help cope with heart rhythm disturbances. A tablespoon of dry grass should be poured with two glasses of boiling water, cover and leave for an hour. After the mixture is infused, you need to strain it. It is recommended to drink 100 ml four times a day.
- With extrasystole, alcohol tincture of hawthorn also helps. It can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared independently.
Of course, it is not worth it to use the aforementioned medications arbitrarily. First, be sure to consult a doctor - a specialist will help you choose the right remedies and the appropriate dosage.
Predictions for Patients
You already know what extrasystole is. Treatment with medications, as a rule, helps to avoid the development of complications and control the course of the pathology. However, extrasystoles, the appearance of which is associated with myocarditis, heart attacks and some other diseases, sometimes go into the fibrillation of the ventricles or atria.
Malignant forms of this pathology sometimes lead to the development of atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and, sometimes, the sudden death of the patient. That is why, in no case, do not refuse the help of a doctor.