When Does Arrhythmia Require Treatment?

Your heart has a natural rhythm, a steady beat that pumps blood throughout your body. However, this rhythm can sometimes be disrupted, leading to a condition called arrhythmia. Not all arrhythmias are a cause for immediate concern, but understanding when to seek heart arrhythmia treatments is crucial for your long-term health. Cardiac Solutions has experienced cardiologists throughout the West Valley who specialize in diagnosing and treating all types of heart rhythm disorders. This guide will explain what arrhythmia is, when it requires medical attention, and arrhythmia treatment options to keep your heart healthy and strong.

What Is Arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. It happens when the electrical signals that coordinate your heart’s beats don’t work properly. This can cause your heart to beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular pattern.

Most people experience harmless, brief arrhythmias, like a skipped beat, from time to time. These are often triggered by stress, caffeine, or exercise and usually don’t need treatment. However, persistent or severe arrhythmias can be a sign of a more serious heart condition and may require medical intervention.

Understanding Why Treatment Timing Matters

Knowing when to treat arrhythmia is key to preventing more serious health problems. An irregular heartbeat can affect how much blood your heart pumps. If your heart can’t pump enough blood to the body, you may suffer damage to the brain, heart, or other organs.

Some arrhythmias can increase your risk of stroke or heart failure if left untreated. For example, atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common type of arrhythmia, can cause blood clots to form in the heart. These clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Timely cardiac arrhythmia treatment can manage these risks and improve your quality of life.

When Does Arrhythmia Require Treatment?

Deciding on treatment depends on the type of arrhythmia and its severity. Ultimately, if an arrhythmia affects your daily life or poses a threat to your health, it’s time to explore treatments for heart arrhythmia. Your doctor will consider several factors:

• Symptoms – If your arrhythmia causes significant symptoms like fainting, severe dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath, treatment is usually necessary.
• Type of Arrhythmia – Some arrhythmias, like those originating in the ventricles, are more dangerous and almost always require treatment.
• Underlying Heart Conditions – If you have another heart condition, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, treating your arrhythmia becomes more important.
• Risk of Complications – If your arrhythmia puts you at a high risk for stroke or heart failure, your doctor will recommend treatment.

Our Diagnostic Process

Our physicians use a comprehensive diagnostic process to determine the best course of action. We’ll start with a physical exam and a review of your medical history. Then, we may use one or more of the following tests to understand your heart’s rhythm:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) – This test records the electrical activity of your heart and can identify irregular patterns.
• Holter Monitor – This is a portable ECG you wear for 24 to 48 hours to record your heart’s activity during your daily routine.
• Event Monitor – This unit is similar to a Holter monitor, but it records heart activity only when you experience symptoms.
• Echocardiogram – An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart that shows its structure and how well it’s pumping blood.
• Electrophysiology Study (EPS) – This study is a more invasive test where thin wires are guided to your heart to map its electrical signals precisely.

Treatment Options for Arrhythmia

Based on your diagnosis, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan. Treatments for heart arrhythmias range from lifestyle changes to advanced medical procedures.

• Lifestyle Changes – For mild arrhythmias, simple changes like reducing caffeine, managing stress, and getting regular exercise can be effective.
• Medications – Many different drugs are available to control your heart rate, restore a normal rhythm, and prevent blood clots.
• Catheter Ablation – In this procedure, a doctor guides a thin tube to your heart to destroy the small area of tissue causing the irregular rhythm.
• Pacemakers – We can implant a small device under the skin near your collarbone that sends electrical pulses to help your heart beat at a normal rate if it’s too slow.
• Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) – This device is similar to a pacemaker but can also deliver an electric shock to restore a normal rhythm if it detects a dangerously fast heartbeat.

Special Focus: Treatment of Ventricular Arrhythmia

Ventricular arrhythmias begin in the heart’s lower chambers and are often more serious than arrhythmias starting in the upper chambers. Treatment of ventricular arrhythmia is critical because the condition can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Options often include an ICD, which continuously monitors the heart and can deliver a life-saving shock if needed. Catheter ablation is another common and effective treatment. Finally, medications help manage the condition long-term.

Managing Arrhythmia Long-Term

Living with arrhythmia often means making a long-term commitment to your health. Regular follow-up appointments with your cardiologist are essential to monitor your condition and adjust treatment as needed. Adhering to your medication schedule and maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle are also crucial parts of your management plan.

When to Seek Emergency Help

While many arrhythmias are not life-threatening, some symptoms require immediate medical attention. Call 911 if you or someone else experiences:

• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Severe shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
• Sudden, severe dizziness or lightheadedness

FAQ About Arrhythmia

The Cardiac Solutions team is here to answer frequently asked questions about arrhythmia, including:

What Are Common Arrhythmia Causes?
Arrhythmia can be caused by many factors, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, excessive alcohol or caffeine use, stress, and some medications.

What Are Arrhythmia’s Symptoms?
Common arrhythmia symptoms include a fluttering feeling in the chest, a racing or slow heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fainting. However, some people have no symptoms at all.

Can Arrhythmia Be Cured?
Some arrhythmias can be effectively cured with procedures like catheter ablation, which eliminates the source of the irregular signal. Others require ongoing management with medication or devices.

What Are the Risks of Untreated Arrhythmia?
If left untreated, some arrhythmias can lead to serious complications, including stroke, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.

Contact Cardiac Solutions for Heart Care

If you’re experiencing symptoms of an arrhythmia or have concerns about your heart health, seek care at Cardiac Solutions immediately. We have convenient locations throughout the West Valley, including in Sun City, Glendale, and Peoria. Our team provides advanced heart arrhythmia treatments, so contact us today to schedule an appointment.