How to Live With Heart Arrhythmia

Heart arrhythmia is not uncommon. In fact, many people live a good portion of their lives with occasional bouts of irregular heartbeat. Even those with otherwise healthy hearts may experience more than a single period of heart arrhythmia in their lifetime. The real trick is in determining when these episodes are normal and when they are not. Education is key to learning how to live with heart arrhythmia.

Instructions

• 1

  Learn the symptoms of arrhythmia. These can include any or a combination of the following, dizziness, fainting or complete blackouts, and trouble breathing or catching a breath. It may also result in chest discomfort, a feeling that the heart is fluttering, beating too rapidly, or irregularly. These symptoms may be accompanied by a feeling of being excessively tired or weak.

• 2

  Define the type of arrhythmia experienced. Arrhythmia can exhibit itself in several difference ways. Some are not to be feared, while others can be the indication of something more serious. The best way to make certain the type suffered is to make an appointment with a heart specialist.

• 3

  Determine the reason for the arrhythmia. The condition can be the result of coronary disease or result from heart surgery. It can indicate changes in the heart muscle, or it can be the result of a heart attack. However, it can also be caused by an electrolyte imbalance, or it can be the side effect of certain medications. Certain types of arrhythmia can result from too much caffeine, nicotine, and recreational drug use.

• 4

  Submit to tests. In order for a physician to determine the reason for arrhythmia, he or she may conduct one or more tests including an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, and/or a stress test (either standard treadmill or chemically induced). The doctor may also require the sufferer to wear a heart monitor for a period of time in order to track how the arrhythmia responds to certain routine activities.

• 5

  Take any medications prescribed. Some heart arrhythmia really can’t be treated. Other types, however, can be treated with medications. Be sure to take any medications prescribed, exactly as prescribed; no more and no less. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as it is remembered, unless it is too close to the next dosage. Do not double dose unless it has been approved by the doctor.

• 6

  Make any necessary lifestyle changes. Smokers will like be told to stop. Drinkers will be asked to cut back or stop drinking at all. Those using recreational drugs will be adivsed against continuing that practice. Those simple actions alone can greatly decrease or stop the problem. Those who consume a lot of caffeine should automatically opt for non-caffeinated varieties. It will also help to decrease daily stress as much as possible. All exercise programs should be approved by a physician before they are started. It is also a good idea to steer clear of any food, drink, or medication that contains a stimulant.

• 7

  Consider a pacemaker. These instruments, which are meant to regulate the heart, are used only when the heart condition requires them. However, it is always all right to check with a physician to see if the device might work for the specific “type” of arrhythmia diagnosed. If it might work, that gives the sufferer another potential option for reflief.

• 8

  Follow your doctor’s orders. Once you find a heart doctor you trust, do what she says. Reduce activities as recommended, take medications as prescribed, and avoid situations as told. A physician cannot help with the situation unless the patient actually listens and complies.