Treatment FAQ

depending on the cause and severity of an arrhythmia treatment may include which of the following

by Jake Metz Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Symptoms

Treatment for arrhythmia can take on many different forms, depending on the type and severity of the irregular heartbeat and what’s causing it. Medication treatments for arrhythmia are called chemical cardioversion. The patient receives antiarrhythmic medicine orally or intravenously.

Causes

Arrhythmia 1 An arrhythmia (also called dysrhythmia) is an irregular or abnormal... 2 Your pulse indicates your heart rate, or the number of times your heart beats in... 3 You can tell how fast your heart is beating by feeling your pulse. 4 Heart Rhythms on ECG. The heart’s electrical system triggers...

Prevention

Treatment options include medications, lifestyle changes, invasive therapies, electrical devices or surgery. Antiarrhythmic drugs are medications used to convert the arrhythmia to a normal sinus rhythm or to prevent an arrhythmia.

Complications

Arrhythmias that are recurrent or related to an underlying heart condition are more concerning and should always be evaluated by a doctor. In most cases, treating the underlying condition will take care of the arrhythmia. If not, many medications and procedures are available to eliminate or control the abnormal heart rhythm.

What are the treatments for arrhythmia?

What is arrhythmia?

What are the treatment options for sinus arrhythmia?

Should I talk to my doctor about my arrhythmia?

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Which of these arrhythmias will result in death without immediate treatment?

Without immediate treatment, ventricular fibrillation can cause death within minutes.

What does QRS complex represent?

The QRS complex represents the spread of a stimulus through the ventricles.

When multiplying heart rate times stroke volume What is the product?

Cardiac output is the product of heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV) and is measured in liters per minute. HR is most commonly defined as the number of times the heart beats in one minute.

Is the product of heart rate times stroke volume quizlet?

- Cardiac output is the product of heart rate times stroke volume.

What does the Q wave represent?

Technically, a Q wave indicates that the net direction of early ventricular depolarization (QRS) electrical forces projects toward the negative pole of the lead axis in question. Although prominent Q waves are a characteristic finding in myocardial infarction, they can also be seen in a number of noninfarct settings.

What does the P wave represent?

The P wave represents the electrical depolarization of the atria. In a healthy person, this originates at the sinoatrial node (SA node) and disperses into both left and right atria.

What are the two factors that cause cardiac output to increase during exercise?

The cardiac output is increased by both a rise in the heart rate and the stroke volume attributable to a more complete emptying of the heart by a forcible systolic contraction.

How does heart rate affect stroke volume quizlet?

A high heart rate reduces the end diastolic volume (EDV) and stroke volume (SV), because there is less time for ventricular filling.

What happens to cardiac output if heart rate increases?

When heart rate or stroke volume increases, cardiac output is likely to increase also. Conversely, a decrease in heart rate or stroke volume can decrease cardiac output.

Which medication reduces cardiac output by lowering sympathetic responses?

Things to know about the Heart and Heart diseaseQuestionAnswerWhich medication reduces cardiac output by lowering sympathetic responses?beta-adrenergic blocking agentWhich variation in heart rate can be due to changes in the rate and dept of breathing?sinus arrhythmia13 more rows

Does heart rate and stroke volume decrease under decreased parasympathetic stimulation?

the vagus nerve. Heart rate and stroke volume decrease under decreased parasympathetic stimulation. Increased sympathetic stimulation causes vasodilation, bringing elevated blood pressure back to normal.

Which of the following factors determines cardiac output quizlet?

Cardiac output is equal to the product of the Stroke Volume(SV) and the heart rate(HR).

Which wave represents repolarization of atrial muscle cells?

a. repolarization of atrial muscle cells is represented by the P wave.

How many physiologic events are there in a cardiac cycle?

Of the 8 physiologic events listed for a cardiac cycle, only three are actually observed on and EKG.

What are the physiologic events that are observed on an EKG?

Of the 8 physiologic events listed for a cardiac cycle, only three are actually observed on and EKG. 1) SA node initiates impulse; not visible. 2) Depolarization of atrial muscle; P wave. 3) Atrial contraction; not visible. 4) Depolarization of AV node and common bundle; not visible.

Which quivers instead of fully contracting?

c. the atria syncytium quivers instead of fully contracting.

How long is a QRS complex?

2. The duration of the QRS complex exceeds 0.20 seconds (five small squares on the ECG)

How do you treat arrhythmias?

Treatment for heart arrhythmias may also involve catheter procedures or surgery to implant a heart (cardiac) device. Certain arrhythmias may require open-heart surgery.

What to do if you have an arrhythmia and you have difficulty exercising?

If doctors are evaluating you to determine if coronary artery disease may be causing the arrhythmia, and you have difficulty exercising, then your doctor may use a drug to stimulate your heart in a way that's similar to exercise. Tilt table test. Your doctor may recommend this test if you've had fainting spells.

How does catheter ablation work?

In catheter ablation, catheters are threaded through the blood vessels to the inner heart, and electrodes at the catheter tips map the spread of electrical impulses through the heart . Electrodes at the catheter tips transmit energy to destroy a small spot of heart tissue and create an electrical block along the pathway that's causing your arrhythmia.

What is an ICD for cardiac arrest?

An ICD is a battery-powered unit that's implanted under the skin near the collarbone — similar to a pacemaker.

How does cardioversion work?

If you have a certain type of arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation, your doctor may use cardioversion, which can be conducted as a procedure or by using medications. In the procedure, a shock is delivered to your heart through paddles or patches on your chest.

What to do if you think you have a heart arrhythmia?

If you think you may have a heart arrhythmia, make an appointment with your family doctor. If a heart arrhythmia is found early, your treatment may be easier and more effective. Eventually, however, you may be referred to a doctor trained in heart conditions (cardiologist).

Why do doctors use pacemakers?

If slow heartbeats (bradycardias) don't have a cause that can be corrected, doctors often treat them with a pacemaker because there aren't any medications that can reliably speed up the heart. A pacemaker is a small device that's usually implanted near your collarbone.

How to treat arrhythmias?

Treatment depends on the type and severity of your arrhythmia. In some cases, no treatment is necessary. Treatment options include medications, lifestyle changes, invasive therapies, electrical devices or surgery. Medications.

What is the best treatment for atrial fibrillation?

The Maze and modified Maze procedures are two surgeries used to correct atrial fibrillation.Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you and discuss these options with you, including more information about surgical treatment if it is an appropriate treatment option.

What is supraventricular arrhythmia?

Supraventricular arrhythmias: Arrhythmias that begin in the atria (the heart’s upper chambers). “Supra” means above; “ventricular” refers to the lower chambers of the heart, or ventricles. Ventricular arrhythmias: Arrhythmias that begin in the ventricles (the heart’s lower chambers).

What is the name of the rapid but regular heart rhythm that comes from the atria?

A rapid but regular heart rhythm that comes from the atria. This type of arrhythmia begins and ends suddenly. Accessory pathway tachycardias (bypass tract tachycardias) A fast heart rhythm caused by an extra, abnormal electrical pathway or connection between the atria and ventricles.

What is the name of the irregular heartbeat?

An arrhythmia (also called dysrhythmia) is an irregular or abnormal heartbeat.

What is a V-tach?

A rapid heartbeat that originates in the ventricles. The rapid rhythm keeps the heart from adequately filling with blood, and less blood is able to pump through the body. V-tach can be serious, especially in people with heart disease, and may be associated with more symptoms than other types of arrhythmia. A cardiologist should evaluate this condition.

Where does ventricular arrhythmia start?

A ventricular arrhythmia begins in the heart’s ventricles.

What is the ablation of arrhythmia?

In atrial fibrillation ablation, small scars are intentionally created to break up the electrical signals that cause the irregular heartbeats in a condition known as atrial fibrillation.

What is the term for an irregular heartbeat?

Arrhythmia is an irregularity in either the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. The heart may beat too fast, too slow or inconsistently. Treatment for arrhythmia can take on many different forms, depending on the type and severity of the irregular heartbeat and what’s causing it.

What is CRT therapy?

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) uses a pacemaker to restore normal heartbeat timing. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) treatment helps regulate the heartbeat and will send a “shock,” or defibrillation, to reset the rhythm and prevent cardiac arrest.

Is electric shock as strong as defibrillation?

The electric shock used in electrical cardioversion is not as strong as the one used in defibrillation. Implantable arrhythmia treatments involve surgical implantation of devices that monitor, synchronize, and/or reset the heart rhythm.

What does the S portion of the QRS complex represent?

c. the S portion of the QRS complex represents a return to the baseline (isoelectric point).

Which quivers instead of fully contracting?

c. the atria syncytium quivers instead of fully contracting.

How long is a QRS complex?

2. The duration of the QRS complex exceeds 0.20 seconds (five small squares on the ECG)

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Kabir Sethi
Symptoms
If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of Arrhythmia, seek medical attention immediately.

Arrhythmia may not cause any noticeable symptoms, and could be diagnosed during routine examinations. Some of the commonly noted symptoms include:

  • Fluttering in the chest
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Fainting or syncope

Causes

  • Arrhythmia results from abnormal electrical impulses that are involved in coordinating the heartbeats. This makes the heart beat too fast or too slow, or beat irregularly.
  • Some of the causes that lead to arrhythmia include:
  • A heart attack
  • Damaged heart tissue from a previous heart attack
  • Structural changes in the heart due to other conditions of the heart such as cardiomyopathy
  • Heart abnormality at birth
  • Blocked arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease)
  • Previous heart surgery
  • High blood pressure
  • Overactive or underactive thyroid gland
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Too much intake of caffeine
  • Nicotine use
  • Stress
  • Genetic changes
  • Risk factors include
  • Heart diseases or previous heart surgery
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Congenital heart problems
  • Sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea
  • Thyroid problems
  • Electrolyte imbalance - imbalance in minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium, in the body
  • Certain medications and supplements

Prevention

Risk of arrythmia can be reduced by:

  • Reducing intake of salt, sodium, and fat
  • Including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the diet
  • Maintaining regular physical activity
  • Maintaining the recommended weight
  • Monitoring the blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels
  • Quit smoking and alcohol
  • Limit your caffeine intake
  • Learn to manage stress

Complications

Complications may include:

  • Stroke resulting from blocked or reduced blood flow to the brain
  • Heart failure
  • Cardiac arrest, which is a medical emergency

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Preparing For Your Appointment

Mayo Clinic Heart Rhythm Program

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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