Arrhythmia: Cause, Treatment and Management
Just like the brain, our heart works in a very unique way. The heart is built with muscle tissues that function to pump blood in our body and one of its features is the electric conduction system. The electrical conduction system of the heart starts in the SA node.
What is the SA node?
SA node is a small group of tissue placed on the right upper chamber of the heart giving its special function mainly as the source of the electrical stimulus that results in its beating, which is why it is also known as the heart’s natural pacemaker.
Electric conduction system of the heart
The traveling of electrical stimuli starts from the SA node. From the sinus node, the electrical stimulus crosses the left and right atria cells going to the AV node or the atrioventricular node that can be found between the atria and ventricles. Here, the impulses slow down for a short time. After passing the AV node, it continues down a pathway called the bundle of His. Lastly, it passes through specialized fibers called Purkinje fibers that cause the contraction of the left and right ventricle pumping the blood in the heart to distribute circulation all over the body.
Normally at rest, a healthy adult’s heart beats 60 to 100 times per minute. But due to certain conditions, heart rhythm problems occur called Arrhythmia.
Arrhythmia is a condition where a person’s heart is not beating normally. The heartbeat may either be too fast called Tachycardia or too slow called Bradycardia. This happens when the electrical conduction system of the heart malfunctions.
Two Types of Arrhythmia
Tachycardia - Fast heartbeat. More than one hundred (100) beats per minute.
Bradycardia - Slow heartbeat. Less than sixty (60) beats per minute.
Arrhythmia Treatment
Treatment for arrhythmia depends on the type and severity you have. Sometimes it is not necessary but the following are the possible treatment options for arrhythmia:
Medications - These are drugs used to help the heart regain its normal rhythm again. Arrhythmic drugs are prescribed by the doctors after evaluating one’s condition in order to identify how often the patient needs to take them and to orient the patient with the possible side effects.
Changing of lifestyle - A sedentary lifestyle can sometimes be the reason for Arrhythmia. It is best to stick to the following healthy lifestyles:
- Avoiding activities that cause your Arrhythmia e.g. extraneous physical activities or exercising too much
- Do not smoke or quit smoking
- Limit alcohol intake
- Limit drinking or eating beverages and foods with caffeine
- Avoid medications or supplement that contains stimulants
- When purchasing medicine, make sure to consult your doctor first to avoid getting complications
Invasive therapies
a. Catheter Ablation - A procedure wherein a doctor inserts a catheter into the heart to deliver energy to the small areas of the heart muscle that causes the abnormal rhythm from a special machine. This works by disconnecting the pathway of the upper and lower chamber of the heart.
b. Electrical Cardioversion - A procedure used by giving electric shock in a patient’s chest well which helps the heart to have a synchronized and normal rhythm.
If you feel like you are experiencing Arrhythmia, it is best to set an appointment with a heart specialist clinic in Singapore for a safe and convenient consultation.