Causes of arrhythmia

Written by Liu Ying
Cardiology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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There are many causes of arrhythmia, which can be physiological or pathological. Pathological causes can originate from the heart itself or from other diseases. For instance, normal individuals might experience sinus arrhythmia, and circumstances such as staying up late, emotional excitement, or excessive fatigue can lead to premature beats or sinus tachycardia, among others. Other diseases, such as hyperthyroidism or fever, can cause an increased heart rate. For example, pulmonary embolism can lead to atrial fibrillation. Heart-related diseases, like heart failure, can cause ventricular premature beats, and diseases of the sinoatrial node itself can lead to sick sinus syndrome, among others.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Can people with arrhythmia take Jiuxin Pills?

Arrhythmias are an important group of cardiovascular diseases. They can occur alone or in conjunction with other cardiovascular diseases. Mild arrhythmias that do not affect hemodynamics often show no clinical symptoms. Arrhythmias can cause a reduction in coronary artery blood flow. Although various arrhythmias can decrease coronary blood flow, they rarely cause myocardial ischemia. However, in patients with coronary heart disease, various arrhythmias can induce or exacerbate myocardial ischemia, primarily manifested as angina and shortness of breath. The function of Jiu Xin Wan is mainly to promote Qi circulation and blood flow, remove blood stasis, relieve pain, increase coronary blood flow, and alleviate angina. Therefore, it is acceptable to take Jiu Xin Wan for arrhythmias combined with myocardial ischemia, but it is not recommended for those without clinical symptoms.

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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 Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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What is ventricular arrhythmia?

Ventricular arrhythmias mainly refer to disorders of the ventricular rhythm and are relatively common clinically, including premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular flutter, and ventricular fibrillation. Premature ventricular contractions generally do not cause noticeable clinical symptoms, while ventricular flutter and ventricular fibrillation are very dangerous clinically and must be treated promptly with defibrillation. Therefore, ventricular arrhythmias must be treated promptly, actively treating the underlying disease, and managing the arrhythmia to prevent sudden death.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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How to relieve arrhythmia

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 Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
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Ventricular arrhythmias include the following types.

Common ventricular arrhythmias mainly include premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular flutter, and ventricular fibrillation. Premature ventricular contractions appear on the electrocardiogram as prematurely occurring wide and abnormal QRS complexes. If asymptomatic, no treatment is needed; if symptomatic, receptor blockers can be used for treatment. Ventricular tachycardia is clearly indicated on the electrocardiogram by wide and abnormal QRS complexes, with heart rates ranging from 140 bpm to 200 bpm. The primary treatment is to remove the cause, and electrical cardioversion can be used when hemodynamics are unstable. Ventricular flutter and fibrillation, their ventricular rates are generally above 250 bpm, and treatment is crucial.