Certain arrhythmias may require open-heart surgery. Treatment for heart arrhythmias may also involve catheter procedures or surgery to implant a heart (cardiac) device. In addition, if it detects ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, it sends out a shock to reset the heart to a normal rhythm. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator can work as a pacemaker would. A biventricular pacemaker paces both ventricles. The current affects the electrical impulses in your heart and can restore a normal rhythm.Ī dual chamber pacemaker paces the atrium and ventricle. Your doctor may recommend this treatment if you have a certain type of arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation.ĭuring the cardioversion procedure, a shock is delivered to your heart through paddles or patches on your chest. This method to reset the heart rhythm may be done with medications or as a procedure. Vagal maneuvers don't work for all types of arrhythmias.Ĭardioversion. For example, you may be able to stop an arrhythmia by holding your breath and straining, dunking your face in ice water, or coughing. Vagal maneuvers affect the nervous system that controls your heartbeat (vagus nerves), often causing your heart rate to slow. If you have a very fast heartbeat due to supraventricular tachycardia, your doctor may recommend this therapy. Therapies to treat heart arrhythmias include vagal maneuvers and cardioversion to stop the irregular heartbeat.
It's very important to take the medications exactly as directed by your doctor in order to reduce the risk of complications. If you have atrial fibrillation, blood thinners may be prescribed to prevent blood clots. Medications used to treat heart arrhythmias depend on the type of arrhythmia and potential complications.įor example, drugs to control the heart rate and restore a normal heart rhythm are often prescribed for most people with tachycardia. Treatment for heart arrhythmias may include medications, therapies such as vagal maneuvers, cardioversion, catheter procedures or heart surgery. Heart arrhythmia treatment is usually only needed if the irregular heartbeat is causing significant symptoms, or if the condition is putting you at risk of more-serious heart problems. Your doctor may recommend regular checkups to monitor your condition. Some heart arrhythmias do not need treatment. Treatment for heart arrhythmias depends on whether you have a fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or slow heartbeat (bradycardia). This test may also be done to determine if a person with certain health conditions is at risk of developing heart arrhythmias. Doing this helps the doctor determine the location of the arrhythmia, its possible causes and the best treatment options. Sometimes, a heart doctor (cardiologist) uses the electrodes to stimulate the heart to beat at rates that may trigger - or stop - an arrhythmia. Once in place, the electrodes can map the spread of electrical impulses through the heart. In this test, also called an EP study, a doctor threads thin, flexible tubes (catheters) tipped with electrodes through the blood vessels to different areas within the heart. The doctor observes how your heart and the nervous system that controls it respond to the change in angle.Įlectrophysiological testing and mapping. The table is then tilted as if you were standing up. Your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored as you lie flat on a table. A doctor may recommend this test if you've had fainting spells. If you have difficulty exercising, a drug may be given to stimulate the heart in a way that's similar to exercise. During a stress test, the heart's activity is monitored while you ride on a stationary bicycle or walk on a treadmill. Some arrhythmias are triggered or worsened by exercise. If your doctor doesn't find an arrhythmia during those tests, he or she may try to trigger the arrhythmia with other tests, which may include:
EXTRA HEARTBEAT NAME SKIN
If symptoms are very infrequent, an event recorder may be implanted under the skin in the chest area to continually record the heart's electrical activity and detect irregular heart rhythms. In this noninvasive test, a hand-held device (transducer) placed on the chest uses sound waves to produce images of the heart's size, structure and motion. An event recorder may be worn for a longer period of time (up to 30 days or until you have an arrhythmia or typical symptoms). This wearable ECG device is used to detect sporadic arrhythmias.
EXTRA HEARTBEAT NAME PORTABLE
This portable ECG device can be worn for a day or more to record your heart's activity as you go about your routine. An ECG measures the timing and duration of each electrical phase in the heartbeat.
During an ECG, sensors (electrodes) that can detect the electrical activity of the heart are attached to the chest and sometimes to the arms or legs. Tests to diagnose heart arrhythmias may include:
0 kommentar(er)
