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.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
1min home-news-image

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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What tests are done for arrhythmia?

The examinations required for arrhythmia are as follows: First, an electrocardiogram, which is the most important non-invasive diagnostic technique for diagnosing arrhythmias. Second, a Holter monitor test should be conducted, which records the electrocardiogram continuously over 24 hours to possibly capture the occurrence of symptoms such as palpitations and fainting, and whether they are related to arrhythmias. It clarifies the relationship between arrhythmias or myocardial ischemia attacks and daily activities, as well as their diurnal distribution characteristics, and can assist in evaluating the efficacy of medications and the condition of pacemakers to some extent. Third is the exercise test; if palpitations occur during exercise, an exercise test can assist in making a diagnosis. Fourth is the esophageal electrocardiogram, which is a useful non-invasive method for diagnosing arrhythmias. Fifth is the cardiac electrophysiological study, typically involving the placement of electrode catheters on the upper and lower parts of the right atrial wall, the tip of the right ventricle, the coronary sinus, and the His bundle area, with the electrical activity at these sites being simultaneously recorded using a multi-channel physiological recorder with 8-12 channels or more.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Why does arrhythmia cause chest pain?

The causes of chest pain due to arrhythmias primarily involve all kinds of arrhythmias reducing the blood flow in the coronary arteries. Although various arrhythmias can decrease coronary blood flow, they rarely cause myocardial ischemia. However, severe arrhythmias that cause significant myocardial ischemia can result in chest pain. For patients with coronary heart disease, various arrhythmias can induce or exacerbate myocardial ischemia, which may also manifest as chest pain and shortness of breath, and in severe cases, lead to acute heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and persistent, unbearable chest pain and tightness.

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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 Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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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.