Heart rhythm disorder is a condition where the heartbeats are irregular due to dysfunctions in the neural signals transmitted to the heart muscle. This condition is expressed as arrhythmia. Detecting arrhythmia early and investigating the underlying causes can reduce the risk of a heart attack.
In healthy individuals, heartbeats continue at a certain rhythm, and blood circulation is provided normally. However, in the case of arrhythmia, abnormal heart rhythms can cause some disturbances in the heart's blood-pumping function.
What Are the Types of Arrhythmia?
There are different types of arrhythmia categorized according to its course.
Tachycardia is the condition where heartbeats exceed 100 per minute. The heart rate can increase due to stress, trauma, or exercise. This situation is considered normal. However, tachycardia is a heart rhythm disorder. If left untreated, it can lead to conditions such as heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. In patients with tachycardia, if the heart cannot perform its blood-pumping function to the rest of the body due to the increased working speed, symptoms such as feeling one's own heartbeats, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, confusion, and low blood pressure may occur.
Due to bradycardia, the heart may not pump the oxygen needed by the brain and other organs. While the normal heart rate is between 60-100 per minute, the heartbeats of patients with bradycardia drop below 60 per minute. If the heartbeat consistently stays below 60, it is necessary to be examined by a cardiologist.
Ventricular Fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia caused by the loss of contraction function of the lower chambers of the heart, potentially preventing blood from reaching vital organs. The urgent treatment of ventricular fibrillation, which can cause sudden loss of consciousness and death, is critically important.
Atrial Fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia issue that affects the upper chambers of the heart and can interrupt normal blood flow. Atrial fibrillation, which can impede the passage of blood to the lower chambers, affects the circulation of blood throughout the body, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.
Atrial Flutter is an arrhythmia issue affecting the upper sections of the heart. Due to the synchronization disorder caused by atrial flutter, where the upper sections beat much faster than the lower sections, life-threatening conditions may arise.
Take Precautions Against Heart Attacks with Early Diagnosis
Arrhythmias that do not cause any adverse outcomes in the early stages can lead to fatal scenarios such as heart attacks, strokes, or organ failure over time. Therefore, obtaining diagnosis and treatment through routine heart examinations conducted by a specialist cardiologist is crucial. In the treatment of arrhythmia, solutions such as medication, electrical procedures, open or closed surgical interventions, or pacemakers may be recommended in line with the directives of your physician. With early diagnosis and treatments applied, it is possible to protect heart health and minimize the probabilities of heart attacks and strokes.
Reduce the Risk of Heart Attack by Preserving Heart Rhythm
Heart rhythm disorder is a serious condition that can negatively affect not only heart health but also overall quality of life. If untreated, this disorder can lead to potentially life-threatening outcomes like heart attacks. Symptoms of a heart attack can often develop unnoticeably and may appear suddenly. Therefore, being aware of heart rhythm disorder symptoms is very important to prevent risks.
Heart rhythm disorder can present with symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, and fainting. These symptoms should not be ignored as they can be indicative of a heart attack. It is recommended that individuals experiencing irregular heartbeats and sudden palpitations consult a cardiology specialist without delay.
How Is Heart Rhythm Disorder Treated?
The treatment of heart rhythm disorder varies depending on the underlying cause and type of arrhythmia. The most commonly applied treatment methods include:
- Medication: Rhythm-regulating medications help balance heartbeats.
- Electrical cardioversion: Controlled electrical shock is applied to return the abnormal heart rhythm to normal.
- Catheter ablation: A special procedure is performed to halt electrical transmission in the problematic area.
- Pacemaker: A rhythm-regulating device is implanted to ensure the heart beats regularly.
Regular doctor visits, lifestyle changes, and healthy nutrition play a significant role in the treatment process. Especially quitting smoking, regular exercise, stress management, and reducing salt intake are highly effective in maintaining heart rhythm.
What Helps with Heart Rhythm Disorder?
It's also possible to regulate heart rhythm naturally. For those wondering what helps with heart rhythm disorder, some suggestions include:
- Consuming foods rich in magnesium and potassium (bananas, avocados, spinach),
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake,
- Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (fish, walnuts),
- Avoiding stress and adopting good sleep habits,
- Regular exercise and implementing breathing exercises to balance heart rhythm.
Each individual's treatment process is different. Therefore, it is essential to consult a specialist before making any lifestyle changes or seeking herbal supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can heart rhythm disorder cause a heart attack?
Yes, heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) carries a risk of leading to a heart attack if untreated. Arrhythmias can disrupt the heart's blood-pumping function, preventing enough oxygen from reaching the organs. This condition can lead to heart muscle weakening, heart failure, and in severe cases, heart attacks or sudden cardiac death. Especially in life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation, urgent intervention is essential. Therefore, if a rhythm disorder is detected, it should be monitored by a cardiology specialist.
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
A heart attack generally manifests as pressure, tightening, or burning sensation in the middle or left side of the chest. This pain may sometimes spread to the neck, jaw, shoulder, or left arm. Shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweat, dizziness, sudden fatigue, and anxiety are other common symptoms of a heart attack. Especially in women, symptoms can be more atypical, presenting as back pain, general fatigue, or nausea. When such symptoms occur, one should immediately seek medical attention without delay.
How is heart rhythm disorder diagnosed?
The first step in diagnosing heart rhythm disorders is a detailed patient history and physical examination. Then, an Electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the heart's electrical activity, is the most commonly used method. If arrhythmia attacks are intermittent, a 24-72 hour Holter ECG may be used to continuously monitor heart rhythm. In some cases, a stress test is done to evaluate the heart's performance during exercise. For more complex cases, an electrophysiological study (EPS) is conducted to examine the electrical pathways within the heart in detail. All these methods are crucial for accurate diagnosis and suitable treatment.
What helps with heart rhythm disorder?
Both medical and lifestyle changes can be beneficial for individuals with heart rhythm disorders. Regular exercise, particularly low-intensity activities like walking and yoga, supports heart health. Consuming foods rich in magnesium, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., bananas, walnuts, salmon, leafy green vegetables) can positively affect heart rhythm. Stress management, quality sleep, and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake also play important roles in controlling rhythm disorders. In severe arrhythmia cases, these measures alone may not suffice; medical treatment, procedures like ablation, or pacemaker applications may be necessary under the physician's supervision. It is essential to consult a cardiology specialist for personalized treatment.