Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat) (cont.)
What lifestyle changes should be made?
- If you notice that your irregular heart rhythm occurs more often with certain activities, you should avoid them.
- If you smoke, stop.
- Limit your intake of alcohol.
- Limit or stop using caffeine. Some people are sensitive to caffeine and may notice more symptoms when using caffeine products (such as tea, coffee, colas and some over-the-counter medications).
- Stay away from stimulants used in cough and cold medications. Some such medications contain ingredients that promote irregular heart rhythms. Read the label and ask your doctor or pharmacist what medication would be best for you.
What is electrical cardioversion?
If drugs are not able to control a persistent irregular heart rhythm (such as atrial fibrillation), cardioversion may be required. After administration of a short-acting anesthesia, an electrical shock is delivered to your chest wall that synchronizes the heart and allows the normal rhythm to restart.
What is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a device that sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscle to maintain a suitable heart rate. Pacemakers primarily prevent the heart from beating too slowly. The pacemaker has a pulse generator (which houses the battery and a tiny computer) and leads (wires) that send impulses from the pulse generator to the heart muscle. Newer pacemakers have many sophisticated features that are designed to help manage arrhythmias and optimize heart-rate-related function as much as possible.
What is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)?
An ICD is a sophisticated device used primarily to treat ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, two life-threatening heart rhythms. The ICD constantly monitors the heart rhythm. When it detects a very fast, abnormal heart rhythm, it delivers energy to the heart muscle to cause the heart to beat in a normal rhythm again. There are several ways the ICD can be used to restore normal heart rhythm. They include:
- Anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP).
When the heart beats too fast, a series of small electrical impulses may be
delivered to the heart muscle to restore a normal heart rate and rhythm.
- Cardioversion.
A low energy shock may be delivered at the same time as the heart beats to
restore normal heart rhythm.
- Defibrillation. When the heart is
beating dangerously fast or irregularly, a higher energy shock may be
delivered to the heart muscle to restore a normal rhythm.
- Anti-bradycardia pacing.
Many ICDs provide back-up pacing to prevent too slow of a heart rhythm.
Next: What is catheter ablation? »
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