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Heart Rhythm Problems, Or Arrhythmias, Occur When The Shock to theHeart Heart rhythm problems, or arrhythmias, occur blood flow to the body. During AF, the atria (the when the electrical impulses that coordinate heart’s two upper chambers) beat out of sync with your heartbeat don’t work properly, causing your the ventricles (the heart’s two lower chambers). AF heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly. A heart- can be occasional, with symptoms that come and go beat that is too fast is called a tachycardia and one from minutes to hours, or chronic, with symptoms that is too slow is called a bradycardia. that will not resolve without treatment. HEARTCARING Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia with an irregular and often rapid heartbeat that causes decreased AF SYMPTOMS Some people with AF will not experience symptoms and will only learn they have it from their doctor. Others may experience one I or more of the following symptoms: Though most A tilt table test, for those who experience I arrhythmias are lightheadedness or fainting. Palpitations (feelings that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering or harmless, some can Treatment plans for arrhythmia can include: be life-threatening. I beating too hard or fast) Medication I During an arrhyth - Shortness of breath I Using ablation (radio wave energy) to destroy spe - I mia, the heart may Weakness or problems exercising cific areas of the heart that are causing the rhythm I not pump enough Dizziness or fainting blood through the abnormality I I Fatigue body, which can Implanting a pacemaker, for those hearts that are I Confusion cause damage to beating too slowly I I Chest pain–this requires immediate the heart, brain and Implanting a defibrillator, for those hearts that are medical attention other organs. beating too rapidly AF RISK FACTORS If you have AF, The cause of Know your pulse your risk of stroke increases up to arrhythmias are Your pulse is one tool to help get a picture of your five times. AF can also lead to heart often unknown, health. Even if you’re not an athlete, knowledge about failure. Other risk factors include: although factors I your heart rate can help you monitor your fitness level, Heart attack, heart failure or such as smoking, and it might even help you spot developing health cardiomyopathy alcohol use, drug I problems. Heart tissue that is too thick, stiff or use, over-the- hasn’t formed normally counter medication Your heart rate, or pulse, is the number of times your I heart beats per minute. Normal heart rates vary from Leaking or narrowed heart valves or too much caffeine I person to person. Knowing your heart rate can be an Congenital heart defects or nicotine are I important heart-health gauge. High blood pressure known to provoke I them. The best places to find your pulse are: Damage to the heart muscles I I Diabetes People with AF can Wrists I lead normal and I Sleep apnea Inside of your elbow I active lives. Treat - I Overactive or underactive ments are available Side of your neck thyroid glands that can help control I Top of the foot symptoms and To get the most accurate reading, put your finger over prevent complications, including medications, med - your pulse and count the number of beats in ical procedures and positive lifestyle changes . 60 seconds. Although AF is not usually immediately life-threatening, Your resting heart rate is the heart pumping the lowest it is a significant medical issue that requires prompt amount of blood you need when you’re not exercising. medical attention, evaluation and diagnostic workup. If you’re sitting or lying, and you’re calm, relaxed and Electrophysiology aren’t ill, your heart rate is normally between 60 (beats Electrophysiology is the study of this electrical per minute) and 100 (beats per minute). activity in the heart and how it beats. Cardiac When to call your doctor G electrophysiologist or arrhythmia specialists If you’re on a beta blocker to decrease your heart rate N diagnose heart rhythm abnormalities based on (and lower blood pressure) or to control another com - I a series of tests and medical history. mon abnormal rhythm (arrhythmia), your doctor may R Evaluations for rhythm in heartbeats include: ask you to monitor and log your heart rate. Keeping I tabs on your heart rate can help your doctor deter - A An electrocardiogram (an ECG or EKG) to monitor mine whether to change the dosage or switch to a dif - heartbeats during rest C ferent medication. I T A Holter monitor to record the heartbeats over a If your pulse is very low, or if you have frequent 24-hour period or longer R episodes of unexplained fast heart rates, especially if I An event monitor to record heart rhythm when they cause you to feel weak or dizzy or faint, tell your A active (usually worn for about a month) doctor, who can decide if it’s an emergency. E I An exercise stress test, often taken on a H treadmill, to detect more irregular rhythms during physical activity © 2015 Spirit Health Group. All rights reserved..
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