Learn how to identify a cardiac arrhythmia

When it comes to arrhythmia, many believe that it is the disease that causes sudden death. But that is not exactly the case. At least, it is not always the case. The risk of sudden death associated with cardiac arrhythmia, as occurred in the recent tragic case of the footballer Juan Izquierdo, exists, but it is necessary to understand that it is a condition with multiple scenarios, associated with different diseases and that can, in some cases, not put life at risk.

In a simple definition: arrhythmia is a change in the heart rhythm. And there is not just one type, but three. Bradycardia, when the heart rate is very low, tachycardia, when it is very high and, finally, irregular rhythm, which alters the heartbeats, but keeps them within acceptable limits, between 50 and 100 per minute.

And what many people don’t know is that these changes can be either benign, usually related to development, breathing, behavioral actions, or changes in normality that don’t really require specific treatment. And malignant, most commonly related to heart artery disease and Chagas disease.

But how do you know if you have an arrhythmia and what type it is? Paying attention to the symptoms is a start, and there can be many. Some non-specific ones, such as dizziness, tiredness, shortness of breath, reluctance to perform some activities that were previously done calmly, can be signs.

The most common disorder is usually associated with a very high frequency, because it is the one that immediately attracts our attention. In these cases, diagnosis can also be difficult since, outside of the crisis, the tests are usually normal. There are therefore a series of strategies that must be adopted for a correct diagnosis, including documenting the exact time the arrhythmia occurred. Procedures such as, for example, electrophysiological studies, which look for the problem instead of waiting for it to manifest itself, already represent a huge evolution in terms of medical research.

In general, when the heart is out of rhythm, blood flow can also be compromised. And since it is responsible for irrigating all parts of the body, other organs tend to “complain”. In the case of the brain, it will manifest itself by making the person quieter. If the heart impedes blood flow to the muscle, the person will feel more tired.

Speaking specifically about malignant arrhythmias, we can see that they are linked to an impact on the quality of life, with a greater chance of causing a stroke (stroke), and, yes, even with a greater chance of sudden death. But all of this depends largely on the arrhythmia we are dealing with.

There are cases where, for example, these changes in heart rhythm are completely asymptomatic. This brings us to the importance of a very complete assessment of the patient, taking into account all his habits, family history, to investigate cases of sudden death in the family, as well as other diseases, in addition to a detailed analysis of the electrocardiogram situation.

Sometimes, small variations within the normal range can harm the quality of life or lead to very negative outcomes.

Therefore, it is important to be aware and understand that arrhythmic conditions affect newborns and centenarians, but do not necessarily pose a life-threatening risk. Now that you know the signs, be up to date with your requests routine. And of course, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing stress. These are always good for you and your heart.

Ricardo Ferreira is a cardiologist, specialist in artificial cardiac stimulation and clinical arrhythmia; He is the founder of the Cardiology Center.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.