2. What is a cardiac arrhythmia?
The heart normally beats at a regular rhythm to supply the
body’s heart, lungs, and other tissues with a steady,
predictable supply of blood and oxygen. An irregular heartbeat
is known as an arrhythmia, or a dysrhythmia.
Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can be
serious or even life threatening. During an
arrhythmia, the heart may not be able to pump
enough blood to the body. Lack of blood flow can
damage the brain, heart, and other organs.
3. What are the different
types of arrhythmias?
There are different types of arrhythmias that include:
bradycardia, which is a slower than normal heartbeat
tachycardia, which is a faster than normal heartbeat
atrial fibrillation, which is caused by electrical signals
in the heart that cause an irregular heartbeat and
cause the atrium to contract faster and more often
than the ventricle contracts
4. Continued….
ventricular fibrillation, which is caused by the
ventricle contracting very fast
premature contraction, which is when the heart
has an extra, early beat that makes an irregular
rhythm
atrial flutter, which is a condition where the heart’s
atria beat too fast
5. Who is at risk for arrhythmia?
1) Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease is caused by a buildup
of plaque or scarring on the heart or the blood
vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle.
The plaque buildup makes it more difficult for
the heart to pump blood. This can slow heart
rate, causing an arrhythmia.
6. 2) Heart attack or heart failure
Heart attacks or heart failure can change the
heart’s electrical impulses, leading to an
increased risk of arrhythmia.
3) Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an inflammation of the heart
muscle. People with this condition often have
atrial fibrillation.
4) Heart valve disease
Leaky or weak heart valves can cause changes
in the way the heart beats, which can cause
arrhythmias.
7. 5) Age, gender, and lifestyle
Age, gender, and lifestyle factors can also play
a role in the development of arrhythmia. The
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
reports that people over the age of 60 are
more likely to develop a more serious
arrhythmia. Older people are at increased risk
for heart disease and often take medications
that affect the heart’s rhythm.
8. Other conditions
diabetes
chronic lung disease
pulmonary embolism, which is a clot that
develops in the lungs
emphysema, which is a disorder of the lungs
asthma
sleep apnea
thyroid disorder
high blood pressure
9. What you can do now ?
Check your blood pressure regularly.
Exercise on a regular basis.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a healthy diet that promotes lower
cholesterol levels.
If you smoke, make a commitment to start a
smoking cessation program. Smoking is a
major risk factor for arrhythmia.
THE SA NODE IS LOCATED IN THE RU ATRIUM, KNOWN AS THE NATURAL PACER OF THE HEART, NORMALLY SELF-INITIATES ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY IN THE HEART AT THE RATE OF 60-100/ MINUTE
THE INTRAATRIAL FIBER IS THE SUBDIVISION OF ANTERIOR INTERNODAL TRACT, CONDUCTS THE ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY FROM THE SA TO AV NODE
THE INTRANODAL TRACTS HAS ANTERIOR MIDDLE AND POSTERIOR DIVISIONS AND CONDUCT ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY FROM SA TO AV NODE
AV NODE IS LOCATED ON THE FLOOR OF THE RIGHT ATRIUM ABOVE THE TRICUSPID VALVE , THE ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY IS DELAYED ABOUT O.O5 SEC HERE WHICH ALLOWS FOR ATRIAL CONTRACTION AND MORE COMPLETE FILLING OF VENTRICLES WITH BLOOD, AV JUNCTIONAL TISSUE CAN SELF INITIATE ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY AT A RATE OF 40-60 /MIN
BUNDLE OF HIS CONDUCTS ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY FROM AV NODE TO BUNDLE BRANCHES, PURKINJE FIBERS ARE A FINE NETWORKTHAT CONDUCT THE ELECTRICAL IMPULSES TO THE VENTRICULAR MUSCLE