Is your heart rhythm always wrong? Arrhythmia, here's how to adjust it!

In the beating melody of life, the heart conducts the symphony of life with its regular rhythm. However, when this stable beat becomes abnormal, we encounter the uninvited guest of "arrhythmia". In short, arrhythmia means that the heart beats too fast, too slow or irregularly, which affects the efficiency of the heart's pumping blood and may affect the blood circulation throughout the body.

Today, we will discuss in depth the mystery of arrhythmia and how to make scientific adjustments to return the boat of the soul to a peaceful harbor with Chai Xiaoli, director of the First District of Cardiovascular Medicine and chief physician of Hunan Provincial Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital).

1. The Thousand Faces of Arrhythmia

There are many types of arrhythmias, which are generally divided into supraventricular arrhythmias and ventricular arrhythmias. Supraventricular arrhythmias include sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation and supraventricular reentrant tachycardia. Ventricular arrhythmias include ventricular premature beats, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular flutter and ventricular fibrillation!

Among them, the incidence of atrial fibrillation gradually increases with age. It not only makes the heartbeat irregular, but also increases the risk of heart failure and stroke, greatly reducing the quality of life. Most people with benign ventricular premature beats do not have obvious symptoms and do not need treatment, but ventricular flutter and ventricular fibrillation can be life-threatening. Knowing which type of arrhythmia you have is the first step to effective treatment.

2. Exploring the “black hands” behind arrhythmia

There are often many reasons behind arrhythmia: abnormal heart structure, electrolyte imbalance, neurological disease, drug side effects, and even emotional stress may be the culprit. Therefore, accurate diagnosis requires a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, Holter monitoring and other means.

3. Tuning journey: scientific response strategy

1. Lifestyle Adjustment

Good living habits are the first line of defense against arrhythmia. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a normal weight, exercising regularly, eating healthily, and getting enough sleep, these seemingly simple daily habits are actually the cornerstone of maintaining heart health.

2. Medication

For most patients with arrhythmias, drug treatment is the first choice. Antiarrhythmic drugs can effectively control heart rhythm, but they must be used under the guidance of a doctor because some drugs may have side effects, such as causing a slow heart rate or causing new heart rhythm problems.

3. Non-drug treatments

For certain types of arrhythmias, non-drug treatments are equally important. For example, cardioversion restores the heart's normal rhythm through electrical shock or drugs; implantation of pacemakers or defibrillators provides life-saving treatment for patients with severe arrhythmias.

4. Psychological adjustment

Emotional fluctuations are one of the common factors that trigger arrhythmia. Learning stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, etc., can help calm your mood and reduce the occurrence of arrhythmia.

5. Regular follow-up

Patients with arrhythmia should undergo regular cardiac function assessments and electrocardiograms, and adjust treatment plans in a timely manner to avoid worsening of the disease.

Although arrhythmia is a discordant note in the symphony of life, we are fully capable of adjusting it to harmony through scientific and reasonable adjustment and treatment. Remember, hearts are connected, and the key lies in how we wisely care for this beating heart.

Stay optimistic, follow the doctor's advice, and let our hearts play the beautiful melody of life again. When facing the challenge of arrhythmia, let us work together to protect the peace and health of our hearts.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Ou Rong, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hunan Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital)

Follow @湖南医聊 to get more health science information!

(Edited by YH)