Factors such as a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, not smoking and avoiding stress positively affect heart health. Adopting these healthy habits can reduce the risk of heart disease by regulating blood pressure, keeping cholesterol levels under control, and managing weight. Arrhythmia refers to a condition in which the heartbeat is irregular or abnormal. Disruption of heart rhythm can cause rapid or irregular contraction of the heart chambers. Arrhythmia is an important factor affecting heart health. While some types of arrhythmia can be harmless, others can cause serious problems.
What is heart rhythm disorder?
Heart arrhythmia is a condition that occurs due to abnormalities in the electrical signals that control the regular and coordinated beating of the heart. Disruption of regular electrical conduction between the upper chambers (atria) and lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart can lead to cardiac arrhythmia. The heart’s normal rhythm begins in a region called the sinus node. The electrical impulses emitted from here move from the atria to the ventricles, and this process ensures that the heart beats regularly. However, in some cases, disruption of this electrical system or sending abnormal signals can trigger heart rhythm disturbances. Heart rhythm disorders can occur in a wide range of ways, and while some are harmless, others can cause serious problems. Common heart rhythm disorders include:
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
- Atrial Flutter
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- bradyarrhythmias
What causes heart rhythm disorder?
Heart rhythm disorders can occur as a result of the interaction of a number of factors. These factors often affect the electrical system of the heart and lead to disruptions in the regular rhythm. Common factors that can cause heart rhythm disturbances:
- Aging
- Heart diseases
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- autoimmune diseases
- thyroid problems
- genetic factors
- Surgical procedures performed due to arrhythmia
- electrolyte imbalances
- Stress and anxiety
- Excessive caffeine consumption
Heart rhythm disorders, which can occur for different reasons in each individual, usually develop as a result of a combination of factors. Recognizing risk factors, getting regular checkups, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent and manage heart rhythm disorders.
What should someone with a heart rhythm disorder do?
Cardiac arrhythmia is when the heart beats faster or slower than normal or beats irregularly. Heart rhythm disturbances can be mild or serious. Some heart rhythm disorders go away on their own, while others require treatment. For the question of what is good for heart rhythm disorder, someone with heart rhythm disorder should do the following:
- Reduce stress: Stress can be a cause of heart arrhythmia. You can try relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or deep breathing to reduce stress.
- Eating healthy: Your health and nutrition are important for your heart health. It is important to follow a heart-friendly diet to prevent heart arrhythmia. This diet should include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.
- Exercising regularly: Exercising regularly can help improve heart health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise per week.
- Not smoking and staying away from alcohol: Smoking and drinking alcohol may increase the risk of heart rhythm disturbances. If you smoke and drink alcohol, aim to quit these habits.
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol can trigger heart rhythm disturbances. Therefore, someone with a heart rhythm disorder should avoid caffeine and alcohol.
How to cure heart rhythm disorder?
Treatment of cardiac arrhythmia varies depending on the type, severity and underlying causes of the disorder. The guidance of an expert cardiologist is important in determining the treatment plan. For the question of what corrects arrhythmia, here are some general treatment methods used to manage and treat heart arrhythmia:
- The cardiologist may prescribe certain medications depending on the type of heart rhythm disorder.
- Ablation is a procedure used to neutralize or correct areas of the heart that cause irregular rhythms.
- Implanting a pacemaker may be recommended for people with heart rhythm disorders. A pacemaker sends electrical signals to keep the heart beating regularly.
- Electrical cardioversion involves an externally applied electrical current to correct a heart rhythm disturbance. This is often used to correct certain rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help manage heart rhythm disturbances. Factors such as regular exercise, healthy nutrition, avoiding stress and not smoking positively affect heart health.
In some cases, other special treatments may also be used to manage heart rhythm disorders. For example, devices such as implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be preferred as a treatment method against heart rhythm disorders. The treatment plan should be customized for each patient, so it is important to communicate regularly with a cardiologist and adhere to recommended treatments. Additionally, if symptoms occur or change, it is necessary to contact a healthcare professional immediately.
What should people with heart rhythm disorders not eat?
Those with heart rhythm disorders should avoid foods that may negatively affect heart health. Some of these foods include:
- Caffeine: Caffeine can increase heart rate and trigger cardiac arrhythmia. Therefore, those with heart rhythm disorders should avoid caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks.
- Alcohol: Alcohol can increase heart rate and trigger cardiac arrhythmia. Therefore, those with heart rhythm disorders should avoid alcohol.
- High sodium foods: High-sodium foods can increase blood pressure, which can trigger heart rhythm disturbances. Therefore, those with heart rhythm disorders should avoid salty foods.
- High fat foods: High-fat foods can increase cholesterol, which can trigger heart arrhythmia. Therefore, those with heart rhythm disorders should avoid fatty foods.
- Processed foods: Processed foods often contain high amounts of sodium, sugar and fat. Therefore, those with heart rhythm disorders should avoid processed foods.