Arrhythmia - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Arrhythmia is a disorder characterized by an alteration in heart rhythm; in particular, the heart rate is faster (tachycardia), slower (bradycardia) or irregular (atrial fibrillation) than the average normal heart rate.

There are different forms of arrhythmia, from the most innocuous to those life-threatening, which can lead to death within a short time. In some cases, in fact, these alterations can prevent the heart from adequately filling up and performing its function of circulating blood pump; this can cause serious damage to various organs, such as the brain, heart and kidneys.

Generally speaking, the difference between the various types of arrhythmia depends on which parts of the heart this disorder originates (supraventricular or ventricular) and which it crosses. Furthermore, the disorder can be related to alterations of the conduction system (ie the complex of structures at the level of which the contraction impulse is born and is transmitted to the whole myocardium) or depend on disorders concerning the excitability of the muscle fibers heart.

Arrhythmias can be caused by pathological processes of different nature affecting the heart, such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, pericarditis and valvular heart disease.

However, the finding of this manifestation is not always an indication of a cardiovascular pathology. In fact, arrhythmias can be secondary to general diseases of the body, such as iatrogenic intoxications (digitalis and beta-blocker drugs), endocrine dysfunctions (eg pheochromocytoma and hyperthyroidism) and electrolyte imbalances in the blood (especially those concerning potassium and calcium) .

On some occasions, arrhythmia is simply a functional disorder, an expression of alterations in the neurovegetative balance, especially in anxious and neurotic subjects. Physical efforts and the abuse of exciting substances, such as coffee and tobacco, for example, can increase, through the sympathetic system, the excitability of myocardial cells, causing above all extrasystoles or sinus tachycardias.

The clinical picture associated with arrhythmias can be manifested simply with heart disease and irregular heartbeat perception by the patient or with symptoms of ischemic suffering (angina pectoris) or low flow (vertigo, lipotimie and fainting).