Cardiac arrhythmia (patient information): Difference between revisions

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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Cardiac arrhythmia|here]]'''


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==Overview==
==Overview==
* This section should give a brief description of the disease, and have the name of the disease in the first sentence.
An arrhythmia is a disorder of the [[heart rate]], [[pulse]], or [[heart rhythm]], such as beating too fast ([[tachycardia]]), too slow ([[bradycardia]]), or irregularly.
* For an example of the overview section of a patient page, click [[Pericarditis (patient information)#Overview|here]]


==What are the symptoms of (disease name)?==
==What are the symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia?==
* Here you can list the symptoms that the patient may notice. Remember that signs are different from symptoms.
* For an example of the symptoms section in a patient information page, click [[Chronic stable angina (patient information)#What are the symptoms of angina?|here]].


==What causes (disease name)?==
When you have an arrhythmia, your heartbeat may be:
* Here you can list the causes of the disease. Remember this is what causes the disease, not what the disease causes.
* For an example of the causes section on a patient information page, click [[Pericarditis (patient information)#What causes Pericarditis|here]].


==Who is at highest risk?==
*Too slow ([[bradycardia]])
 
*Too quick ([[tachycardia]])
 
*Irregular, uneven or skipping beats
 
An arrhythmia may be present all of the time or it may come and go. You may or may not feel symptoms when the arrhythmia is present. Or, you may only notice symptoms when you are more active. Symptoms can be very mild, or they may be severe or even life-threatening.
 
Common symptoms that may occur when the arrhythmia is present include:
 
*[[Chest pain]]
 
*[[Fainting]]
 
*[[Light-headedness]], [[dizziness]]
 
*[[Paleness]]
 
*[[Shortness of breath]]
 
*[[Sweating]]
 
==What causes cardiac arrhythmia?==
Normally, your heart works as a pump that brings blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.To help this happen, your heart has an electrical system that makes sure it contracts (squeezes) in an orderly way.
 
*The electrical impulse that signals your heart to contract begins in the sinoatrial node (also called the sinus node or SA node). This is your heart's natural pacemaker.
 
*The signal leaves the SA node and travels though the heart along a set electrical pathway.
 
*Different nerve messages signal your heart to beat slower or faster.
Arrhythmias are caused by problems with the heart's electrical conduction system.
 
*Abnormal extra signals may occur
 
*Electrical signals may be blocked or slowed
 
*Electrical signals travel in new or different pathways through the heart
 
Some common causes of abnormal heartbeats are:
 
*Abnormal levels of [[potassium]] or other substances
 
*[[Heart attack]], or a damaged heart muscle from a past heart attack
 
*Heart disease that is present at birth (congenital)
 
*[[Heart failure]] or an enlarged heart
 
*Overactive [[thyroid gland]]
 
Arrhythmias may also be caused by some substances or drugs, including:
 
*Alcohol, caffiene, or stimulants such as amphetamines
 
*[[Beta-blockers]]
 
*[[Cigarette smoking]]
 
*Drugs that mimic the activity of the nervous system
 
*Medications used for depression or psychosis


* Here you can list, or write in sentences, the most common risk factors for developing the disease.
Sometimes anti-arrhythmic medications prescribed to treat one type of arrhythmia will cause another type of arrhythmia.


* This section can be separated into modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors if appropriate.
Some of the more common abnormal heart rhythms are:


* For an example of a risk factors section on a patient information page, click [[Chronic stable angina (patient information)#Who is at highest risk|here]].
*[[Atrial fibrillation]] or [[atrial flutter]]


==Diagnosis==
*[[Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia]] (AVNRT)


* In this section you can outline what the patient might expect to encounter as far as diagnostic studies.
*[[Multifocal atrial tachycardia]]


* List the types of studies with a brief description, as well as blood tests, urine tests, pertinent portions of the physical examination etc.
*[[Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia]]


* For an example of a diagnosis section on a patient information page, click [[Chronic stable angina (patient information)#Diagnosis|here]].
*Heart block or atrioventricular block


==When to seek urgent medical care?==
*[[Sick sinus syndrome]]


* This section should focus on the symptoms that may indicate impending life threatening situations, or significant worsening.
*[[Ventricular fibrillation]] or [[ventricular tachycardia]]


* For an example of a section detailing this on a patient information page, click [[Chronic stable angina (patient information)#When to seek urgent medical care|here]]
*[[Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome]]


==Treatment options==
==Who is at highest risk?==
Risk factors for cardiac arrhythmia include:
*Hypertension or [[high blood pressure]]
*Previous heart surgery
*[[Congenital heart disease]]
*Thyroid problems
*Drugs and certain supplements
*[[Obesity]]
*[[Diabetes]]
*[[Obstructive sleep apnea]]
*Drinking too much alcohol
*Caffeine and nicotine use
*Electrolyte imbalances


* In this section you should outline the treatment options, including medications, lifestyle changes, and surgical interventions.
==Diagnosis==
The doctor will listen to your heart with a stethoscope and feel your pulse. Your blood pressure may be low or normal.
Heart monitoring devices are often used to identify the rhythm problem, such as a:
*Holter monitor (used for 24 hours)
*Event monitor or loop recorder (worn for 2 weeks or longer


* Advise the patient to always follow the treatment plan that their doctor has provided them.
Other tests may be done to look at heart function:


* For an example of a treatment section of a patient information page, click [[Chronic stable angina (patient information)#Treatment options|here]].
*Coronary angiography


==Where to find medical care for (disease name)?==
*[[EKG]] (electrocardiogram)  
*[[Echocardiogram]]


*In this section you can provide links for reputable places that the patient can find good treatment for there condition.
A special test, called an electrophysiology study (EPS), is done to take a closer look at the heart's electrical system.


==Prevention==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Call your health care provider if:
*You develop any of the symptoms of a possible arrhythmia
*You have been diagnosed with an arrhythmia and your symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment
 
==Treatment options==
When an arrhythmia is serious, you may need urgent treatment to restore a normal rhythm. This may include:
*Electrical "shock" therapy (defibrillation or cardioversion)
*Implanting a short-term heart pacemaker
*Medications given through a vein (intravenous) or by mouth
Sometimes, getting better treatment for your angina or heart failure will decrease the chance of having an arrhythmia.


* In this section, outline the factors that can prevent the onset of the disease, or prevent worsening of the disease.
Medications called anti-arrhythmic drugs may be used:


* For an example of the prevention section of a patient information page, click [[Chronic stable angina (patient information)#Prevention|here]].
*To prevent an arrhythmia from happening again
*To keep your heart rate from becoming too fast or too slow
Some of these medicines can have side effects. Take them as prescribed by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the medicine or change the dose without first talking to your health care provider.  


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
Other treatments to prevent or treat abnormal heart rhythms include:


* In this section you should provide a brief statement of what the patient might expect as the prognosis of their condition.
*[[Cardiac ablation]] used to destroy areas in your heart that may be causing your heart rhythm problems
*An [[implantable cardiac defibrillator]] is placed in people who are at high risk of sudden cardiac death
*[[Pacemaker]], a device that senses when your heart is beating irregularly, too slowly, or too fast. It sends a signal to your heart that makes your heart beat at the correct pace.


* Include prognosis with and without treatment, and also the likelihood of a certain outcome occurring.
==Prevention==
Taking steps to prevent [[coronary artery disease]] may reduce your chance of developing an arrhythmia.


* For an example of the prognosis section on a patient information page, click [[Pericarditis (patient information)#What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?|here]].
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
The outcome depends on several factors:
*The kind of arrhythmia -- some arrhythmias may be life threatening if not treated right away, or do not respond well to treatment
*Whether you have [[coronary artery disease]], [[heart failure]], or [[valvular heart disease]]


==Possible complications==
==Possible complications==
Possible complications of having an arrhythmia include [[stroke]] and [[heart failure]].
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}


* In this section, you can list the common and most important (life-threatening) complications of the disease or it's treatment.
{{WikiDoc Help Menu}}
{{WikiDoc Sources}}
[[CME Category::Cardiology]]


* For an example of the complications section in a patient information page, click [[Pericarditis (patient information)#Possible complications|here]].
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Cardiology]]
[[Category:Electrophysiology]]
[[Category:Medical emergencies]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]

Latest revision as of 20:47, 29 July 2020

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Charmaine Patel, M.D. [2]

Cardiac arrhythmia

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Cardiac arrhythmia?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Cardiac arrhythmia On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Cardiac arrhythmia

Videos on Cardiac arrhythmia

FDA on Cardiac arrhythmia

CDC on Cardiac arrhythmia

Cardiac arrhythmia in the news

Blogs on Cardiac arrhythmia

Directions to Hospitals Treating Cardiac arrhythmia

Risk calculators and risk factors for Cardiac arrhythmia

Overview

An arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate, pulse, or heart rhythm, such as beating too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly.

What are the symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia?

When you have an arrhythmia, your heartbeat may be:

  • Irregular, uneven or skipping beats

An arrhythmia may be present all of the time or it may come and go. You may or may not feel symptoms when the arrhythmia is present. Or, you may only notice symptoms when you are more active. Symptoms can be very mild, or they may be severe or even life-threatening.

Common symptoms that may occur when the arrhythmia is present include:

What causes cardiac arrhythmia?

Normally, your heart works as a pump that brings blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.To help this happen, your heart has an electrical system that makes sure it contracts (squeezes) in an orderly way.

  • The electrical impulse that signals your heart to contract begins in the sinoatrial node (also called the sinus node or SA node). This is your heart's natural pacemaker.
  • The signal leaves the SA node and travels though the heart along a set electrical pathway.
  • Different nerve messages signal your heart to beat slower or faster.

Arrhythmias are caused by problems with the heart's electrical conduction system.

  • Abnormal extra signals may occur
  • Electrical signals may be blocked or slowed
  • Electrical signals travel in new or different pathways through the heart

Some common causes of abnormal heartbeats are:

  • Abnormal levels of potassium or other substances
  • Heart attack, or a damaged heart muscle from a past heart attack
  • Heart disease that is present at birth (congenital)

Arrhythmias may also be caused by some substances or drugs, including:

  • Alcohol, caffiene, or stimulants such as amphetamines
  • Drugs that mimic the activity of the nervous system
  • Medications used for depression or psychosis

Sometimes anti-arrhythmic medications prescribed to treat one type of arrhythmia will cause another type of arrhythmia.

Some of the more common abnormal heart rhythms are:

  • Heart block or atrioventricular block

Who is at highest risk?

Risk factors for cardiac arrhythmia include:

Diagnosis

The doctor will listen to your heart with a stethoscope and feel your pulse. Your blood pressure may be low or normal. Heart monitoring devices are often used to identify the rhythm problem, such as a:

  • Holter monitor (used for 24 hours)
  • Event monitor or loop recorder (worn for 2 weeks or longer

Other tests may be done to look at heart function:

  • Coronary angiography

A special test, called an electrophysiology study (EPS), is done to take a closer look at the heart's electrical system.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if:

  • You develop any of the symptoms of a possible arrhythmia
  • You have been diagnosed with an arrhythmia and your symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment

Treatment options

When an arrhythmia is serious, you may need urgent treatment to restore a normal rhythm. This may include:

  • Electrical "shock" therapy (defibrillation or cardioversion)
  • Implanting a short-term heart pacemaker
  • Medications given through a vein (intravenous) or by mouth

Sometimes, getting better treatment for your angina or heart failure will decrease the chance of having an arrhythmia.

Medications called anti-arrhythmic drugs may be used:

  • To prevent an arrhythmia from happening again
  • To keep your heart rate from becoming too fast or too slow

Some of these medicines can have side effects. Take them as prescribed by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the medicine or change the dose without first talking to your health care provider.

Other treatments to prevent or treat abnormal heart rhythms include:

  • Cardiac ablation used to destroy areas in your heart that may be causing your heart rhythm problems
  • An implantable cardiac defibrillator is placed in people who are at high risk of sudden cardiac death
  • Pacemaker, a device that senses when your heart is beating irregularly, too slowly, or too fast. It sends a signal to your heart that makes your heart beat at the correct pace.

Prevention

Taking steps to prevent coronary artery disease may reduce your chance of developing an arrhythmia.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The outcome depends on several factors:

Possible complications

Possible complications of having an arrhythmia include stroke and heart failure.

References


Template:WikiDoc Sources CME Category::Cardiology

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