What are the treatments for an irregular heartbeat?
Conventional treatments for an irregular heartbeat may include medications, medical procedures and surgery. Antiarrhythmics are used to slow down a heart that’s beating too fast or change abnormal heart rhythm to a normal, steady rhythm. Beta blockers are used to slow down a heartbeat by reducing its workload.
How does an ICD work to treat an irregular heart rhythm?
If the ICD detects an abnormal heart rhythm, it sends out low- or high-energy shocks to reset the heart to a normal rhythm. An ICD doesn't prevent an irregular heart rhythm from occurring, but it treats it if it occurs.
What are the treatments for heart arrhythmias?
Treatment for heart arrhythmias may include medications, therapies such as vagal maneuvers, cardioversion, catheter procedures or heart surgery. Medications used to treat heart arrhythmias depend on the type of arrhythmia and potential complications.
How is an irregular heartbeat diagnosed?
In order to diagnose an irregular heartbeat, a doctor listens to the rate and rhythm of your heart and for a heart murmur, an extra or unusual sound during the heartbeat. Your doctor may also check for swelling in your legs and feet because this can be a sign of heart failure.
What treatment do you need for irregular heart rate?
The treatments used for arrhythmias include: medicine – to stop or prevent an arrhythmia or control the rate of an arrhythmia. electrical cardioversion – a treatment that uses electricity to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm while you are anaesthetised or sedated.
Can irregular heart rhythm be cured?
When you have atrial fibrillation, or AFib, your heart has an irregular, sometimes quick rhythm. The condition can boost your chances for a stroke, heart failure, or other heart problems. Right now, there's no cure for it. But certain treatments can make symptoms go away for a long time for some people.
What is the best medication for irregular heartbeat?
Amiodarone. Then there's amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), which is both a sodium channel blocker and a potassium channel blocker. It's by far the most effective anti-arrhythmic drug available -- possibly as much as 75%, Wylie says.
Can you live a long life with irregular heartbeat?
You can certainly live a happy, healthy life with an irregular heartbeat. However, it's always a good idea to check with your doctor when you're experiencing new symptoms or discomfort.
How serious is an irregular heart beat?
In many cases, these irregular heartbeats are harmless and will resolve on their own. But when they occur persistently, they can be serious. When your heart's rhythm is disrupted, it isn't pumping oxygenated blood efficiently, which can cause harm to the heart and the rest of the body.
What medications regulate heart rate?
The American Heart Association (AHA) advise that doctors prescribe three main types of drug to help a person control their heart rate. These are: beta-blockers, such as atenolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol, or timolol. calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem or verapamil.
What is the most common cause of irregular heartbeat?
The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular and fast heart beat. Many factors can affect your heart's rhythm, such as having had a heart attack, smoking, congenital heart defects, and stress. Some substances or medicines may also cause arrhythmias.
Can arrhythmia be treated with medication?
In many cases, the arrhythmia may not be serious or require any treatment at all. However, if your doctor finds that the arrhythmia could lead to more serious heart problems, they may prescribe medication. Several types of medication can help control or resolve an arrhythmia.