Understanding Heart Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia is the term that doctors use to describe an abnormal heart rhythm. It happens because of problems with electrical signals in the body that control how the heart beats. Heart arrhythmia can be a serious problem because certain kinds increase the risk of stroke and heart failure.

Overview of Arrhythmia

The heart is comprised of four chambers. The two upper chambers are called atria and the lower ones are called ventricles. The heartbeat is controlled by the sinus node, which is located in the upper right atrium of the heart. It sends out electrical impulses that tell the heartbeat to start. The signal moves from the right atrium to the left atrium, which pumps blood from the atria into the ventricles. Before moving into the ventricles, the signal is slowed down by the atrioventricular node. The slowing gives the ventricles time to fill with blood before the impulse causes the ventricles to pump blood into the rest of the body. When someone has arrhythmia, the electrical impulse doesn’t move in an even and orderly manner.

There are two main kinds of arrhythmia:

• Tachycardia: This kind of arrhythmia is when the heart beats too fast. People with tachycardia have a resting heart rate that is higher than 100 beats per minute (bpm).
• Bradycardia: This is a slow heartbeat, with a resting heart rate lower than 60 bpm.

From these two main kinds of arrhythmia, doctors assign more specific classifications based on where the arrhythmia starts and how the heart beats.

Arrhythmia Symptoms

Sometimes there are no symptoms when a person has arrhythmia. Doctors may find symptomless arrhythmias during a routine exam. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• A feeling of something fluttering in the chest.
• A fast heartbeat.
• A slow heartbeat.
• Pain in the chest.
• Feeling short of breath.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Sweating.
• Fainting.

Having arrhythmia doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a serious problem. However, if your aging relative has symptoms, it’s important to report them to the doctor. If they are having frequent symptoms or having them unexpectedly, seek emergency medical care.

If your aging relative has heart arrhythmia, elder care can help them to manage the problem. If the doctor has prescribed medication, an elder care provider can remind the older adult when it is time to take it. Elder care providers can also help with lifestyle changes that improve heart health, such as a more balanced diet and increased physical activity. Elder care providers can cook healthy meals and help the senior to be more active by going for walks or driving them to exercise classes.

If you or someone you know needs help with Elder Care in Ada, MI,contact Gauthier Family Home Care.We provide quality and affordable homecare services in our community.Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.

Sources

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-arrhythmia/symptoms-causes/syc-20350668
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8887.php
https://www.heart.org/-/media/data-import/downloadables/pe-abh-what-is-arrhythmia-ucm_300290.pdf

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Gauthier Family Home Care

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Call (616) 258-2300. Gauthier Family Home Care exists to provide options for our clients to retain their independence in their own homes, improve their quality of life and support their extended families. We will accomplish that by providing compassionate, professional caregivers who will nurture, stimulate, and cater to each client’s specific needs without fail.

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