What should be paid attention to in daily life with arrhythmia?

Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
Updated on September 26, 2024
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For managing arrhythmias, it's important to pay attention to several aspects. First, maintain a regular lifestyle and ensure adequate sleep. Second, the living environment should be quiet and serene to avoid noise, and it’s beneficial to grow various plants for a better temperament. Third, balance work and rest according to personal capacities and engage in appropriate physical activities such as walking, Tai Chi, and Qigong; moderate sexual activities and avoid colds. Fourth, strive to maintain a standard weight and not indulge in overeating, as obesity can increase cardiac load. Fifth, be mindful of changes in seasons, weather, and climate, as extreme cold or hot conditions can significantly impact the disease, potentially aggravating or triggering arrhythmias. Sixth, diet should be light with frequent, small meals, and avoid coffee, strong alcohol, fried foods, and minimise strong tea. Seventh, keep a stable emotional state and try to eliminate stress, fear, anxiety, irritation, and anger which are stimulants that could negatively affect your emotions. Eighth, in addition to daily medications, have emergency medications prescribed by a doctor on hand, such as Xintiandan, Shexiang Baoxin Pill, Xintongding, Atropine, etc. Ninth, if there are sudden exacerbations of arrhythmia accompanied by palpitations, chest tightness, dizziness, low blood pressure, and sweating, and in severe cases fainting, seek medical attention promptly.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
1min 33sec home-news-image

What tests are done for arrhythmia?

The examinations required for arrhythmia are as follows: First, an electrocardiogram, which is the most important non-invasive diagnostic technique for diagnosing arrhythmias. Second, a Holter monitor test should be conducted, which records the electrocardiogram continuously over 24 hours to possibly capture the occurrence of symptoms such as palpitations and fainting, and whether they are related to arrhythmias. It clarifies the relationship between arrhythmias or myocardial ischemia attacks and daily activities, as well as their diurnal distribution characteristics, and can assist in evaluating the efficacy of medications and the condition of pacemakers to some extent. Third is the exercise test; if palpitations occur during exercise, an exercise test can assist in making a diagnosis. Fourth is the esophageal electrocardiogram, which is a useful non-invasive method for diagnosing arrhythmias. Fifth is the cardiac electrophysiological study, typically involving the placement of electrode catheters on the upper and lower parts of the right atrial wall, the tip of the right ventricle, the coronary sinus, and the His bundle area, with the electrical activity at these sites being simultaneously recorded using a multi-channel physiological recorder with 8-12 channels or more.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Arrhythmia is caused by what?

Arrhythmia is caused by abnormal excitation of the sinoatrial node or excitation originating outside the sinoatrial node, with slow conduction, blockage, or conduction through abnormal pathways. This results in the frequency and (or) rhythm abnormalities of heartbeats, which are collectively referred to as arrhythmias. Most of the causes include the following: one is genetic arrhythmias, often due to gene channel mutations, such as the commonly seen long QT syndrome, short QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, etc. There are also acquired arrhythmias, seen in various organic heart diseases, including coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, commonly referred to as coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and rheumatic heart disease, particularly prevalent during heart failure or acute myocardial infarction. Arrhythmias are also not uncommon in basically healthy individuals or patients with autonomic dysfunction. Other causes include electrolyte imbalance or endocrine disorders, and sometimes anesthesia, hypothermia, or surgery, such as thoracic or cardiac surgery, or medications, central nervous system diseases may also cause arrhythmias, but the specific reasons are not very clear.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Can people with arrhythmia eat ginseng?

Arrhythmia falls under the categories of palpitations and throbbing in traditional Chinese medicine. The common differential diagnoses are as follows: For Blood Stasis Obstruction type, the treatment focuses on activating blood circulation and resolving stasis, and regulating qi to unblock the collaterals. For Blood Deficiency type, the treatment is to nourish qi and calm the spirit, and to nourish the heart and supplement blood. For Yang Deficiency type, the treatment aims to warm and supplement heart yang, and calm the spirit and stabilize the will. For Heart Deficiency and Timid Gallbladder type, the treatment is to nourish the heart and calm the spirit, and to stabilize fright and fix the will. For Yin Deficiency and Exuberant Fire type, the treatment focuses on nourishing the heart and calming the spirit, and nourishing yin to clear the fire. For Water Dampness Overwhelming the Heart type, the treatment aims to invigorate heart yang and transform qi to promote water movement. For Qi and Blood Deficiency type, the treatment is to supplement both qi and blood simultaneously. Ginseng's main therapeutic effect is to greatly supplement the primal qi, secure and stop prolapse, generate fluids, and calm the spirit. Therefore, ginseng can be used when arrhythmia differentiation indicates qi deficiency, but it is recommended to use it under the guidance of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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What tests are done for arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is also relatively common in clinical practice, and its common detection method is mainly the electrocardiogram (ECG). ECG is a simple and non-invasive operation that helps to identify the type of arrhythmia. Another method is the 24-hour Holter monitor, which can record all heart rate changes occurring within 24 hours. If an arrhythmia occurs, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly, visiting a cardiology department. Treatment may involve antiarrhythmic medications, and if possible, a complete electrophysiological examination can be performed.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Why does arrhythmia cause chest pain?

The causes of chest pain due to arrhythmias primarily involve all kinds of arrhythmias reducing the blood flow in the coronary arteries. Although various arrhythmias can decrease coronary blood flow, they rarely cause myocardial ischemia. However, severe arrhythmias that cause significant myocardial ischemia can result in chest pain. For patients with coronary heart disease, various arrhythmias can induce or exacerbate myocardial ischemia, which may also manifest as chest pain and shortness of breath, and in severe cases, lead to acute heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and persistent, unbearable chest pain and tightness.