How to relieve arrhythmia

Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
Updated on September 10, 2024
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The relief of arrhythmia mainly involves removing any triggers if they exist, as well as using non-pharmacological methods, including ocular compression, carotid sinus massage, pinching the nose and forcefully exhaling, and breath-holding, which are methods to reflexively stimulate the vagus nerve. If relief is unachievable and the episodes are accompanied by hypotension, fainting or near-fainting, seizures, angina, or heart failure, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly for pharmacological interventions against arrhythmias, or even consider electrical treatments such as cardioversion, defibrillation, pacemaker implantation, and ablation, as well as surgical options.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
50sec home-news-image

Is sinus arrhythmia serious?

Sinus arrhythmia is a relatively common type of arrhythmia in clinical practice. It is typically identified through electrocardiogram testing. If no other specific symptoms are present other than sinus arrhythmia, sinus bradycardia, or sinus tachycardia, and if there is no structural heart disease, generally, there are no serious concerns. Often, these kinds of arrhythmias are caused by autonomic nervous system dysfunction, leading to an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. To address this irregular heartbeat, it is advisable to rest adequately in daily life and to include some aerobic exercise. Exercise can enhance cardiac contractility and strengthen regular heart function, which can help correct the arrhythmia.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Is atrial fibrillation a serious arrhythmia?

Atrial fibrillation is a type of cardiac arrhythmia, primarily feared for its potential to form blood clots within the heart. These clots can travel to other organs via the bloodstream, most commonly to the brain. Additionally, pieces of these clots can also travel to coronary arteries causing myocardial infarction, leading to organ embolism wherever they lodge. Generally, if no blood clots are formed, many individuals with atrial fibrillation may not experience symptoms. However, if combined with other cardiac conditions such as heart failure or coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation can exacerbate the risk of developing these heart diseases. Thus, atrial fibrillation on its own is not severe but becomes concerning when associated with other cardiac conditions, increasing the risk of other heart diseases. If atrial fibrillation occurs with left or right accessory pathways, it may also lead to ventricular fibrillation, resulting in sudden death of the patient. Moreover, if the atrial fibrillation has no apparent cause, and the heart structure is normal with no symptoms, then such isolated atrial fibrillation does not typically form blood clots and is considered relatively mild.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Can arrhythmia cause sudden death?

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 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
1min 28sec home-news-image

Arrhythmia is caused by what?

Arrhythmia is caused by abnormal excitation of the sinoatrial node or excitation originating outside the sinoatrial node, with slow conduction, blockage, or conduction through abnormal pathways. This results in the frequency and (or) rhythm abnormalities of heartbeats, which are collectively referred to as arrhythmias. Most of the causes include the following: one is genetic arrhythmias, often due to gene channel mutations, such as the commonly seen long QT syndrome, short QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, etc. There are also acquired arrhythmias, seen in various organic heart diseases, including coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, commonly referred to as coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and rheumatic heart disease, particularly prevalent during heart failure or acute myocardial infarction. Arrhythmias are also not uncommon in basically healthy individuals or patients with autonomic dysfunction. Other causes include electrolyte imbalance or endocrine disorders, and sometimes anesthesia, hypothermia, or surgery, such as thoracic or cardiac surgery, or medications, central nervous system diseases may also cause arrhythmias, but the specific reasons are not very clear.