Heart Arrhythmia – Dealing with abnormal heartbeat
When we are excited, frightened or during intense physical activities our heart beats too fast. When we are resting or sleeping our heart beats slowly. In a normal healthy person, the rate of heartbeat remains within 60 and 100 beats per minute. If the heartbeat rises above 100 beat per minute or falls below 60 beats per minute, a person is said to suffer from arrhythmia. It occurs when the electrical system of the heart fails to work properly. Arrhythmia is one of the major causes of hospitalization.
However, not all types of abnormal heartbeat might indicate a heart disease. The normal resting heartbeat of healthy and physically active individuals such as athletes might be below 60 beats per minute.
Types of arrhythmia
When the rate of heartbeat is above 100 beats per second, the arrhythmia is known as tachyarrhythmia. Bradyarrhythmia occurs when the heart rates are below 60 beats per minute. Irregular arrhythmia is characterized by irregular heart rhythm such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation. Premature contraction is a type of arrhythmia in which a single heartbeat occurs before the right time. Problems in the electrical system of the heart might develop from an existing coronary artery disease, changes in the muscles of the heart, heart injury from heart attack, electrolyte imbalance in the blood and heart valve disease.
Symptoms of arrhythmia
Depending upon the type of arrhythmia you are suffering from, the symptoms will vary from person to person. Palpitations, sensation of skipped heartbeat, loss of consciousness, chest discomfort, fatigue and shortness of breath are some common symptoms of arrhythmia. A person would faint if the heart rate falls below 60 beats per second. One might feel the chest pounding or fluttering when the heartbeat increases above 100 beats per minute.
Dealing with arrhythmia
If medications could not help to normalize the heart rhythm, you would need a pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator implantation. These implants provide electrical impulses to the heart, helping it to beat normally. While many people susceptible to arrhythmia stay away from coffee, studies have shown moderate coffee consumption could prevent arrhythmia. Researchers have found that people who drink four cups of coffee everyday are least likely to be hospitalized for arrhythmia.
