By definition, an irregular heartbeat is an improper beating of the heart resulting from electrical signs not performing well. If you notice irregular heartbeats to be ongoing, know that immediate medical attention is important. Vigorous exercise can also result in heart palpitation. Based on the condition causing it, doctors ensure your treatment.
In order to get proper treatment, one requires an apt diagnosis. Make sure you tell your doctor about how long you have been undergoing this problem. Doctors also review your medical history and symptoms. Receive guidance on heart health from one of the best cardiologists at the leading hospital in Siliguri.
Physical inactivity, eating cholesterol-rich food items, alcohol dependency, tobacco smoking, and obesity increase the likelihood of heart disease. Arrhythmia is irregular heartbeats associated with the risk of blood clots. It may increase the risk of a stroke.
Get your diagnosis done if ordered by your healthcare provider so that the reason comes out. And your doctor can decide on the treatment approaches best for you. A heart-friendly diet, physical activity/exercise/yoga, weight management, stress management, and avoiding alcohol, tobacco smoking, and drug misuse are some best preventive ways here.
What are the symptoms of heart arrhythmia?
One may not develop significant signs of arrhythmia that can be possible. Here signs involve:
- A fluttering in your chest/palpitation
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness/dizziness
- Racing heartbeat/slow heartbeat
- Sweating, anxiety
- Unexplained tiredness/fatigue
- Fainting
Reach out to your cardiologist/general physician if you have such discomfort. Plus, seeking emergency help can be of need in certain cases.
Potential risk factors for irregular heartbeats
Factors that put you at risk of arrhythmia involve:
- High blood pressure or hypertension can contribute to coronary artery disease in which coronary arteries become narrow. Poorly managed or undiagnosed hypertension leading to coronary artery disease puts you at risk of heart arrhythmia.
- Coronary artery disease/CKD is a common heart health condition that may account for heart arrhythmia. Narrow arteries reduce the oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart, resulting in several discomforts such as angina, weakness, shortness of breath, heart palpitation, dizziness, stomach discomfort, unexplained fatigue.
- Congenital heart disease is a birth defect that can cause excessive sleepiness, heart murmur, problem breathing/shortness of breath, pounding heartbeat, weak pulse, blueish skin, too much tiredness, poor blood circulation, etc.
- Obesity can be responsible for atrial fibrillation because excess body fat forces the heart to pump harder in order to supply blood throughout the body. Plus, obesity is a potential risk factor for sleep apnea. And obstructive sleep apnea results in an irregular heartbeat.
Further contributing factors here can be hyperthyroidism, heavy alcohol use, electrolyte imbalance, heart valve disorder, active smoking, cardiomyopathy, use of nicotine, caffeine, or illegal drugs, et al. In case, quitting smoking seems challenging on your own, get expert assistance. The same goes for substance dependency. Visit the best hospital in Siliguri and talk to a cardiologist.
After a physical examination, your doctor may order a few tests/procedures like blood tests, ECG/EKG (electrocardiogram), echocardiogram, stress test, Holter monitor, tilt table test. Medical care for irregular heartbeat depends on the underlying condition. Treatment options include medication, catheter ablation, cardioversion, pacemaker, coronary bypass surgery, etc.
