Daily Medical Records

Any irregularity in the rhythm of contractions (called systole) and relaxation (called diastole) is what causes arrhythmias that are classified by place of origin (the atria or ventricles). There are four main types of arrhythmia are extrasystoles, supraventricular arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias.

Extrasystoles (premature ventricular contractions) are the most common form of arrhythmia. They consist of a beat ahead in relation to normal frequency. They are usually harmless and require no treatment if they occur in people in good health.

When symptoms occur feels like a sort of fluttering in the chest and the feeling that the heart has skipped a beat. Usually occur spontaneously and not because the person suffering from heart disease (even if certain heart conditions can cause premature). They can sometimes occur due to stress, when done too much exercise or when consumed in excess caffeine or nicotine.

Supraventricular arrhythmias, in turn, are tachycardia (accelerated heartbeat when) that originate in the atria or the atrioventricular (a group of cells located between the atria and ventricles). In this group are several that are: atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and Wolff-Parkinson-White.

Atrial fibrillation
Within this first group, we will pay a little more attention to atrial fibrillation, because it is the most common type of serious arrhythmia. It consists of a very fast and irregular contraction of the atria (upper chambers of the heart). The electrical impulse that causes the heartbeat does not start at the usual place, but in another part of the atrium or pulmonary veins close and do not move in the right way. The result is that the walls of the atria fibrillate vibrate or (hence the name) very fast instead of beating normally and then they can not pump blood to the ventricles in the right way.

The two most serious complications associated with atrial fibrillation are stroke and heart failure (heart failure).
When a person suffers from atrial fibrillation, clots can form blood to accumulate in the atria that are fibrillating, instead of circular to the ventricles. If a clot breaks can reach the brain and cause a stroke. That’s why people who have it are treated with anticoagulants. Stroke can occur if a blood clot reaches an artery in the brain and blocks (blocks) the flow of blood.

Heart failure occurs because the heart can not pump blood the body needs. Atrial fibrillation can cause heart failure when the ventricles beat too fast and do not have enough time to fill and pump blood throughout the body. This causes fatigue, inflammation (swelling) of the legs and shortness of breath.

Sometimes atrial fibrillation is due to another condition that affects the heart and hypertension, coronary heart disease or rheumatic heart disease, a problem with one of the heart valves. Other causes include hyperthyroidism (excess thyroid hormone), excess alcohol or other family members have suffered from atrial fibrillation.

Other risk factors for this type of arrhythmia include:
- Age, especially after 60
- Suffering from sleep apnea
- Suffering from diabetes or chronic lung disease
- Having a serious infection

The warning signs of atrial fibrillation may include: a pounding in the chest (such as thunder, drums or jumps) frequent palpitations (the sensation that the heart has skipped a beat), shortness of breath after physical exertion , pain in the chest and even dizziness or fainting.

When these symptoms you should consult a physician for diagnosis and determine the treatment that helps restore the normal rhythm and prevent clots.

Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation
These two arrhythmias that originate in the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart) and are more dangerous than atrial fibrillation. Fortunately, they are less frequent. In the case of ventricular tachycardia, the ventricles beat very fast speeds (well above 100), which is not allowed to fill with blood and so the heart can not distribute it to the body and oxygenate organs can be and tissues, which is dangerous if it lasts a long time. It can cause palpitations, dizziness, weakness, low blood pressure and fainting. You can convert ventricular fibrillation is an arrhythmia worse.

In ventricular fibrillation, as in the case of atrial fibrillation, the ventricles quiver rapidly and irregularly and also fail to pump blood efficiently and the result is the same as in ventricular tachycardia but much more rapid and severe. If not treated promptly because it ends with fatal cardiac arrest.

Arrhythmias can scare the person who suffers, but in many cases and especially in young people with no history of heart disease, not a serious hazard and can be treated with medication. Supraventricular arrhythmias are common in middle-aged and elderly. Usually as you get older more likely to suffer, especially atrial fibrillation. Many appear temporarily in response to emotions or normal activities, but arrhythmias can be dangerous and so it is always important when you suspect an arrhythmia than a cardiologist to assess whether treatment is needed.