Overview
Your heart beats in a characteristic normal rhythm defined and identified by cardio-pulmonary function tests such as an electrocardiogram or ECG. Clinically identified abnormal heart rhythms, known as arrhythmias or abnormal electrical activity patterns in the heart, challenge your body to operate in a life-sustaining manner. An out-of-rhythm, disorganized heartbeat endangers your life.
Physiology
A heart operating as designed, beats in a smooth, coordinated mechanized rhythm effectively sending oxygenated blood throughout your body. The sound of the rhythm is often described as an even, pulsing repetitive lub-dub, recognizable even to the unaided ear listening through the chest wall. The characteristic sound is produced by the heart repeatedly contracting and forcing oxygenated blood out of the heart, followed by its re-expanding and filling with un-oxygenated blood.
Rapid rhythm
One of the most dangerous rhythms is abnormally fast such as when the heart “flutters” or spasms. Tachycardia, a wildly beating abnormal cardiac rhythm, exceeds 160 heart beats per minute and can develop into atrial fibrillation (AF). In AF, the heart quivers ineffectively, unable to contract and pump oxygenated blood out to nourish body cells. Damage to body tissue and death can result unless treatment is implemented immediately.
Slow rhythm
A heart rate below 60 beats per minute is diagnosed as bradycardia. Oxygen-carrying blood is not being delivered to body tissue effectively. The heart ventricles contract slowly and may slow to such an extent that heart block develops and no blood circulates to the body.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is feeling your heart racing and pounding in your chest, sometimes with pain; sometimes with shortness of breath. Called palpitations, pounding can occur completely unexpectedly and without accompanying activity. You may feel tired because the heart is not pumping oxygen to your body. If you count your pulse at the wrist, you may feel a very irregular pattern—sometimes fast, slow, then fast again.
Tests
ECG results produce a recognizable pattern of electrical activity that displays in a graph. Similar to a lie detector print-out, rhythms have signature patterns. A stress test creates controlled physical exertion such as walking fast on a treadmill, while monitored for an ECG. Some patients wear a small, portable heart monitor around their necks. They keep a journal of their activities for 24 hours, and then the monitor and journal are compared for symptoms related to activity.
Treatment
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), and internal pacemakers can be surgically placed directly into the chest. These devices detect abnormal heart rhythms and deliver electric stimuli to correct it. According to “Consumer Health Complete,” ICDs contribute to general well-being and improved quality of life. Medications can be taken to control the heart rate and ensure it effectively circulates blood throughout the body. Lifestyle change is often recommended and includes a better ratio of exercise to diet.
About this Author
Nancy LaPonzina blends clinical knowledge with an interest in alternative, holistic health. LaPonzina writes technical information for providers and users of medical IT software applications; newsletters; and nonfiction articles and Web content that have appeared in “Artnews,” Manidoo Village,” “Ingenue,” “American Girl,” and Dell specialty magazines.
