If you've been diagnosed with a serious arrhythmia and are undergoing treatment or taking medication, it's extremely important to follow your healthcare professional's recommendations.
Taking medications
- Take all medications exactly as prescribed.
- Never stop taking any prescription medication without first consulting your healthcare provider.
- If you have any side effects, tell your healthcare provider about them.
- Tell your healthcare provider about all your other drugs and supplements, including over-the-counter medications and vitamins. Track all your medicines online with Heart360 or download our printable medication log.
Monitor your pulse
You should know how to take your pulse – especially if you have an artificial pacemaker.
- Put the second and third fingers of one hand on the inside of the wrist of the other hand, just below the thumb OR on the side of your neck, just below the corner of your jaw.
- Feel for the pulse.
- Count the number of beats in one full minute.
- Keep a record of your pulse along with the day and time taken and notes about how you felt at the time. Use Heart360 to track your pulse online or download our printable blood pressure/pulse log.
Substances to avoid
Certain substances can contribute to an irregular heartbeat, including:
- Caffeine
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Cold and cough medications
- Appetite suppressants
- Psychotropic drugs (used to treat certain mental illnesses)
- Antiarrhythmics (paradoxically, the same drugs used to treat arrhythmia can also cause arrhythmia. Your healthcare team will monitor you carefully if you're taking antiarrhythmic medication.)
- Beta-blockers for high blood pressure
- Street drugs such as cocaine, marijuana and “speed” or methamphetamines
If you're being treated for arrhythmia and use any of these substances, be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
Manage your risk factors
Just having an arrhythmia increases your risk of heart attack, cardiac arrest and stroke. Work with your healthcare team and follow their instructions to control other risk factors:
Take it one day at a time
Researchers continue to investigate arrhythmias, and they're making progress. The best thing you can do is to follow your treatment plan and take things one day at a time. Sometimes you may feel that you don't get the support you need and that the people around you aren't very understanding. That's common, because others don't easily see your symptoms. It's hard for them to understand that you might be struggling sometimes to function normally. Help others to understand by educating them about your condition and by asking for support to help follow your treatment program.
This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 01/20/09.
