Arrhythmia

What is arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat rhythm of any kind. If your heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly, it doesn’t pump blood through your body as well as it does with a normal rhythm. As a result, your vital organs might not get the blood supply they need to function well. However, in some cases, arrhythmia is harmless to your health.

Dr. Yashar uses electrocardiograms (ECGs) and other testing methods to diagnose your arrhythmia before you start treatment. There are many types of arrhythmia with differing causes and symptoms. He tells you which type you have and helps you identify the causes and contributing factors. Conditions like alcoholism, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease can all lead to various forms of arrhythmia. 

What are the symptoms of arrhythmia?

If you have arrhythmia, you may or may not have noticeable symptoms. Even without symptoms, your arrhythmia might be more severe than you realize. Similarly, you might have noticeable symptoms with a mild arrhythmia. 

If you have a fast heartbeat, called tachycardia, you might experience dizziness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fainting, or heart palpitations. Similar symptoms come with bradycardia, or a slow heartbeat. They include dizziness, tiredness, trouble concentrating, chest pain, and sweating. 

What are my treatment options for arrhythmia?

After diagnosing you with arrhythmia, Dr. Yashar works closely with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that’s easy for you to follow. Your plan might include one or more of the following approaches:

Lifestyle changes

Dr. Yashar can help you reduce your risk of complications from your arrhythmia with healthy adjustments to your lifestyle. He may encourage you to stop smoking, lose weight, change your diet, or find ways to cope with stress. 

Medications

There are many medications available to help treat arrhythmia and complications associated with it. Dr. Yashar explains how your medication works and how to take it for the best possible effect. 

Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a device surgically implanted in your chest to read and control your heart’s rhythm. Dr. Yashar may recommend that you get one as part of your treatment plan to regulate your heartbeat and improve your energy. 

Cardiac ablation

Cardiac ablation is a procedure to destroy or scar tissue in your heart that’s causing arrhythmia, using energy from radiofrequency, extreme cold, or lasers. 

With the right treatment, you can safely exercise and cope with stress in spite of your arrhythmia. To learn more about arrhythmia and available treatments, call Payam R. Yashar, MD, or book an appointment online today.