Can arrhythmia cause sudden death?

Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
Updated on September 16, 2024
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The clinical manifestations of hemodynamic changes caused by arrhythmias mainly depend on the nature, type, cardiac function, and the extent of impact on hemodynamics. Mild conditions such as slight sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia, occasional atrial premature contractions, and first-degree atrioventricular block have minimal impact on hemodynamics and therefore do not exhibit significant clinical manifestations, and sudden death is generally not expected. However, more severe arrhythmias, such as sick sinus syndrome, rapid atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and sustained ventricular tachycardia, can lead to palpitations, chest tightness, dizziness, hypotension, and sweating. In severe cases, syncope, Adams-Stokes syndrome, or even sudden death may occur.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Causes of sinus arrhythmia

Sinus arrhythmia, the most common cause of which is instability of the nerves that regulate the heart, referred to as the autonomic nervous system. This instability leads to sinus arrhythmia, which is commonly seen in children during their growth phase, women during menopause, or individuals who often stay up late and are under significant work stress, leading to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. It can also be caused by patterns of breathing that lead to arrhythmias; the heart rate increases during inhalation and slows during exhalation, producing this type of physiological arrhythmia. Generally, this kind of arrhythmia does not require drug treatment. By improving physical exercise, ensuring adequate sleep, and avoiding stimulating beverages or coffee, this type of heart rate can return to normal.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
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Can arrhythmia be cured?

Arrhythmias come in many types, most of which are curable. Once arrhythmia occurs clinically, an electrocardiogram should be performed as soon as possible to determine the type of arrhythmia. Common arrhythmias can be classified into tachyarrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias, and based on the location of occurrence, into supraventricular arrhythmias and ventricular arrhythmias. Clinically common are supraventricular arrhythmias, such as sinus tachycardia, junctional tachycardia, along with atrial tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter. These generally do not affect the stability of hemodynamics and are relatively easy to treat. On the other hand, ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and sinus arrest are clinically challenging to cure and require aggressive resuscitation.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Arrhythmias include:

Arrhythmia is a very common disease in our daily life. What does arrhythmia include? Generally speaking, arrhythmia often includes the following aspects: First, irregular heartbeat, such as sinus arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, and frequent premature beats. Second, tachycardia, such as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and so on. Third, bradycardia diseases, such as sinus bradycardia, severe atrioventricular block, and sick sinus syndrome, etc.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Does arrhythmia require hospitalization?

Arrhythmia treatment should be determined based on the patient's symptoms, type of arrhythmia, and its impact on hemodynamics. For instance, minor conditions like slight sinus bradycardia, irregular sinus rhythm, occasional atrial premature contractions, and first-degree atrioventricular block, which have minimal impact on hemodynamics and no significant clinical manifestation or structural heart disease, do not necessitate hospitalization. However, more severe arrhythmias such as sick sinus syndrome, rapid atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and sustained ventricular tachycardia, which can cause symptoms like palpitations, chest tightness, dizziness, low blood pressure, sweating, and in severe cases, fainting, Adam-Stokes syndrome, and even sudden cardiac death, require prompt medical attention and hospitalization for treatment.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Does arrhythmia cause nausea?

Mild arrhythmias, such as sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia, occasional atrial premature contractions, and first-degree atrioventricular block, have minimal impact on hemodynamics, so they generally do not show obvious clinical symptoms. In cases of severe arrhythmias, such as sick sinus syndrome, rapid atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and sustained ventricular tachycardia, significant arrhythmias affect hemodynamics, reduce blood flow, and cause mesenteric artery spasm, which can lead to clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal ischemia, such as nausea, and even bleeding, ulcers, or paralysis.