An arrhythmia is an abnormality in the rhythm of the heart, which is like its internal clock. The heart has two important moments: when it relaxes and fills with blood, it is called diastole, and when it contracts and sends blood to the rest of the body, it is called systole. These two phases together mark the blood flow and blood pressure. The rhythm marks the beats per minute. These parameters are crucial for our heart to function properly and keep our cardiovascular health in good condition.
When an arrhythmia occurs, the natural rhythm of the heart is disordered, and this can manifest itself in different ways, such as fast heartbeats, slow heartbeats or even irregular heartbeats. These variations in heart rhythm can interfere with the heart’s ability to efficiently pump blood through our body, which can have serious consequences for our health.
The causes of arrhythmias can be diverse, from problems with the “electrical wires” of the heart, damage to heart tissue, pre-existing heart disease, imbalances of certain minerals in our body, to the consumption of stimulant substances or certain medications.
In addition, situations of stress, anxiety or excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine can contribute to the development of these alterations in the heart rhythm.
It is important to know that some arrhythmias can be asymptomatic or mild, and sometimes disappear without intervention. However, in other cases, they can cause symptoms such as palpitations (feeling the heartbeat), dizziness, weakness, fatigue or even fainting. In more serious situations, arrhythmias can increase the risk of serious complications, such as stroke or heart failure.
For proper management of arrhythmias, early diagnosis is essential. To do this, different methods can be used, such as the electrocardiogram, a simple test that records the electrical activity of the heart. Other tests such as Holter monitoring, stress tests, or electrophysiological studies may also be performed to obtain more information about the heart rhythm.
Treatment for arrhythmias can range from lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding excessive consumption of certain substances, to the use of specific medications to control the heart rhythm. In more complex cases, invasive procedures such as catheter ablation or even the placement of devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators to regulate the heart’s rhythm may be necessary.
In short, an arrhythmia is an alteration of the heart’s rhythm that can have different causes and symptoms. It is important to be alert to any worrying signs and seek medical attention in time to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, which is key to protecting our heart health.
