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Sinus Tachycardia
A harmless rhythm, sinus tachycardia
is a normal increase in heart rate that
happens with fever, excitement and
exercise. It does not require treatment
except in rare cases when an underlying
problem, such as anemia or
hyperthyroidism, should be treated.
Arrhythmias that originate in the
heart’s lower chambers, the ventricles
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
Characterized by a very fast heart
rate,VT usually is seen in the setting
of other serious heart disease.
Occasionally, it occurs in people with
normal hearts. It usually requires
prompt treatment, sometimes with
medication. Sometimes it is treated
with radiofrequency ablation or
surgery.Often people with VT are
protected by implantation of a
defibrillator. Because VT can lead
to ventricular fibrillation (next item)
it is considered a serious condition
that warrants aggressive monitoring
and treatment.
Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)
Sudden cardiac death, caused by
ventricular fibrillation, poses the
greatest threat and accounts for half
of all cardiac deaths. In VF, the heartbeat
is rapid and chaotic,which causes
the lower heart chambers, or ventricles,
to go into a spasm. Sometimes,
however, a heart attack can lead to
VF. VF is abrupt and happens without
any warning and it halts all heart
functioning.The lack of oxygen
throughout the body, and especially
to the brain, is deadly.Also known as
cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac death is
due to an electrical circuitry problem.
It is not a the same as a heart attack,
or myocardial infarction,which is a
circulatory problem caused by
clogged blood vessels that cut off the
supply of blood to the heart.
Although CPR can provide some
benefit, the only truly effective VF
treatment is defibrillation, which
relies on paddles or electrodes to
"shock" the heart back to normal
rhythm. Without treatment, loss of
consciousness comes in seconds,
and death is inevitable. [more]
Other
Premature Contractions
Extra, early or "skipped" beats are
the most frequent cause of irregular
heart rhythms.These can start in the
upper or lower chambers of the heart
Long QT Syndrome (LQTS)
Long QT Syndrome is a disorder
of the electrical system. It can be
inherited, acquired after taking
certain medications, or caused by
a combination of heredity and
medications. People with LQTS are
susceptible to ventricular fibrillation.
[more]
Heart Block
When electrical impulses generated in
the upper chambers of the heart are
not properly transmitted to the lower
chambers,Heart Block happens.The
heart then beats too slowly,reducing the
oxygen that gets to the body and brain.
[more]
Syncope (Fainting)
Fainting, or feeling as if one might
faint, can be caused by serious heart
rhythm disorders and needs to be
evaluated carefully. Sometimes the
cause is not heart related, for instance
when low blood sugar is to blame, but
still can be dangerous.No matter
what the cause, fainting can be
dangerous simply because of the
potential for injuries from falling.
[more]
Circulatory
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
When arteries are clogged to the
point of decreasing or stopping the
flow of blood to the heart muscle, a
lack of oxygen damages or kills
heart muscle causing a heart attack.
Recognizing symptoms and getting
prompt emergency treatment can
eliminate, prevent or limit the
amount of heart muscle damage.
[more]
Stroke
Although not true "heart" disorders,
strokes are a related condition. While
some strokes occur when a blood
vessel bursts, most strokes happen
for the same reasons as a heart attack,
clogged or blocked vessels.All strokes
pose serious health threats.
Structural
Heart Failure
When the heart muscle is too
weak to effectively pump blood
through the body, heart failure, or
cardiomyopathy, sets in. Early diagnosis
and treatment can stop or
slow progression of heart failure.
[more]
Heart Valve Problems
Heart valve problems can be inherited
or can develop and can wreak havoc
on the heart’s ability to push blood
from chamber to chamber.Medication
and surgery are treatment options.
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