ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Cardiac arrhythmias

What is cardiac arrhythmias?

9 April 2021

They are a series of irregular heartbeats, which can be too slow (bradycardia), fast (tachycardia) or intermittent. This abnormality may be due to damage to the heart muscle or the sinus node, which is the heart’s natural pacemaker. Damage can appear for different reasons: an infection, hormonal decompensation, excessive stress, metabolic diseases, high blood pressure, intake of certain medications and drugs, a heart attack, or it may be due to a congenital defect.

There are several types of arrhythmias, and although some can be serious such as ventricular fibrillation, many people who suffer from them can continue their lives normally under supervision and treatment.

Signs and symptoms Cardiac arrhythmias

  • Shaking sensation in the chest.
  • Chest pain.
  • Fatigue and shortness of breath.
  • Slow or fast heartbeat.
  • Vertigo.
  • Anxiety.
  • Dizziness.
  • Paleness and sweating

If you have any of these symptoms, go immediately to your Saludora doctor. Do not risk your life! 

Prevention:

As with any heart condition, you can prevent its onset by adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as:

  • Have a healthy and balanced diet.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Avoid being overweight and obese.
  • Limit alcohol and coffee.
  • Reduce stress.
  • Always ask your doctor before taking over-the-counter drugs.

Diagnosis and treatment Cardiac arrhythmias

There are various techniques to make a proper diagnosis, among which are mainly the electrocardiogram (EKG), to measure the electrical activity of the heart, and the Holter monitor, which allows checking both the heart rate and rhythm for 24 hours or even for two years, in case of being implanted. 

Contrast and laboratory studies may also be performed to analyze heart function.

Treatment options:

A high percentage of the arrhythmias detected can be controlled only with medications that allow the heart’s rhythm to be stabilized, although, in other cases, the implantation of devices such as a defibrillator or a pacemaker may be required, which help keep the heart beating at a regular rhythm.

However, in certain types of arrhythmias, surgery may even be necessary to eliminate the damage caused by the condition.

At the Cardiovascular Center we offer you a wide range of prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up services to take care of you through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary care model. Come to us, we want to hear your heart.

Related centers and departments Cardiac arrhythmias

Cardiovascular Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical laboratory

Fuentes: 

  • mayoclinic.org
  • cun.es
  • fundaciondelcorazon.com
  • texasheart.org
  • medigraphic.org
  • Piñar SG. Fibrilación auricular: Manejo actualizado. Rev Med Cos Cen. 2014;71(613):823-825.
  • Eckel. R., Jakicic. J., Ard. J., etc (2013) Guineline on Lifestyle Management to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk. American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology.
  • Chugh SS, Havmoeller R, Narayanan K, Singh D, Rienstra M, Benjamin EJ et al. Worldwide epidemiology of atrial fibrillation: a Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study. Circulation. 2014; 129 (8): 837-847.

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.