The heart is an organ that pumps blood to supply all organs of the body in a regular rhythm. This rhythm is managed by an electrical conduction system, allowing the heart to contract and relax at regular intervals per minute. However, if this regular flow is disrupted, cardiac arrhythmia or known medically as arrhythmia may occur. Arrhythmia refers to a broad group of diseases that cause the heartbeats to become faster, slower, or completely irregular. While not every arrhythmia is of the same severity, some arrhythmias can affect the person's quality of life by causing the heart to fail in pumping adequate blood and may pose risks if untreated.
What is Cardiac Arrhythmia?
Cardiac arrhythmia is a condition resulting from irregularities in the heart's electrical activity. Normally, the heart beats regularly with an electrical signal managed by the natural pacemaker called the sinus node located in the right atrium. This signal follows a specific pathway between the heart's chambers to control the timing of contractions. However, if the signal emerges too quickly, too slowly, or from incorrect areas, it can disrupt the heart rhythm. Arrhythmias are primarily examined in three groups: tachycardia (fast heart rate), bradycardia (slow heart rate), and irregular rhythm (irregular heartbeat). There are many sub-types under these categories, such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, and extrasystoles.
What are the Symptoms of Cardiac Arrhythmia?
Symptoms experienced by individuals with arrhythmias can vary greatly; some patients may present with noticeable complaints, while others may not feel any symptoms, and the problem might be incidentally noticed during a routine ECG. The most common finding is the sensation of palpitations. This sensation can be described as the heart suddenly speeding up, beating irregularly, missing a beat, or a fluttering feeling in the chest.
Common symptoms include:
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Shortness of breath
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Chest pressure and tightness
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Dizziness and lightheadedness
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Feeling of fainting or syncope
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Weakness and easy fatigue
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Irregular pulse
What Causes Cardiac Arrhythmia?
The underlying cause of arrhythmia often involves a structural problem in the heart, although systemic diseases and daily life habits can also trigger the process in some cases. Damage to the heart muscle, electrolyte imbalances, or hormonal imbalances can disrupt the speed and direction of electrical signal transmission, leading to irregular rhythms. Since the triggering factor may vary for each patient, it is important to evaluate the causes holistically for diagnosis and treatment.
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Electrical conduction system disorders: Congenital abnormalities, heart muscle diseases, heart valve problems, and tissue damage after a heart attack are significant causes of rhythm irregularities.
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Cardiovascular diseases: Hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure both increase the workload of the heart and negatively affect electrical conduction, increasing the risk of arrhythmia.
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Hormonal and metabolic imbalances: Overactive or underactive thyroid gland, electrolyte imbalances, diabetes, and kidney function disorders can directly affect rhythm.
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Daily life and environmental factors: Excessive consumption of caffeine and energy drinks, intense stress, lack of sleep, smoking, and alcohol use can trigger arrhythmia attacks.
How is Cardiac Arrhythmia Diagnosed?
The most important step in arrhythmia diagnosis is the patient's thorough medical evaluation. Factors such as when the symptoms started, in what situations they increase, whether there is a family history of heart disease, and the individual's overall health condition shape the diagnostic process.
The first test applied in diagnosis is Electrocardiography (ECG). ECG demonstrates the heart's electrical signal with a few seconds of recording, allowing some arrhythmias to be easily detected. However, as arrhythmias do not always exhibit continuity, a short ECG recording might not be sufficient. In such cases, a Holter monitor is used. The Holter is a portable device that continuously records the heart rhythm for 24–72 hours and is particularly valuable for patients with intermittent palpitations.
If necessary, echocardiography, stress tests, blood tests, and advanced mapping methods can also be used. These tests are essential for determining the source, severity, and impact of the arrhythmia on the heart.
How is Cardiac Arrhythmia Treated?
The treatment of arrhythmia is planned by evaluating the underlying cause, the type of arrhythmia, and the patient's overall health status. The method applied in each type of arrhythmia is not the same; some rhythms can be controlled only with lifestyle adjustments, while some cases may require intervention.
In the first stage, medication is usually preferred. Antiarrhythmic drugs regulating the heart rhythm, beta blockers controlling heart rate, or drugs targeting the underlying disease can be used. Correcting factors causing arrhythmia, such as thyroid disorder, electrolyte imbalance, or high blood pressure is also part of the treatment.
In some rhythm disorders, a method called cardioversion is applied. In this procedure, the heart receives a controlled electrical stimulation to restore rhythm.
Catheter ablation therapy, which identifies and eliminates the focus causing rhythm disturbances in the heart, is also an effective method today. In cases where the heart rhythm is excessively slow, a pacemaker can be applied. This device maintains the heart rate, enhancing quality of life.
How to Prevent Cardiac Arrhythmia?
There are many preventive approaches to completely avoid arrhythmia. Nutrition supporting cardiovascular health, reducing salt intake, regular physical activity, maintaining ideal weight, and stress management can lower the risk of rhythm disorder.
Avoiding excessive consumption of caffeine, energy drinks, smoking, and alcohol can help maintain the heart's electrical balance. Keeping chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, kidney, and thyroid disorders under control is also critical in terms of rhythm disturbances.
It's important for individuals at risk for heart health to have regular cardiology check-ups, even if they don't experience symptoms. Early diagnosis is the most effective way to prevent the progression of rhythm disorders and potential complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stress cause rhythm disorder?
Severe stress can affect the heart rhythm and lead to palpitations as it increases adrenaline levels in the body. Although stress is not solely a cause of arrhythmia, it can trigger an existing rhythm disorder or make symptoms more frequently felt.
Does rhythm disorder resolve on its own?
Mild rhythm irregularities can be short-lived and may pass without symptoms. However, a medical evaluation is recommended for ongoing, severe, or quality-of-life-impairing rhythm disorders rather than waiting for spontaneous resolution.
Can someone with arrhythmia exercise?
Whether individuals with arrhythmia can exercise depends on the type and severity of the rhythm disorder and whether there is an underlying heart condition. In some patients, light and controlled exercises can support heart health, whereas vigorous exertion may pose a risk in severe types of arrhythmia.
Can children have rhythm disorder?
Yes. Rhythm disorder is not only seen in adults but can also occur in children. Congenital heart anomalies, febrile illnesses, electrolyte imbalances, or certain infections can cause arrhythmia in children. If children experience palpitations, weakness, chest pain, or fainting, they should definitely see a cardiology specialist.
