What Is Cardiac Dysrhythmia Arthritis?

Cardiac dysrhythmia, often known as cardiac arrhythmia, is the disruption of the regular beating of the heart. By beating, the heart pumps blood through the arterial system to all parts of the body. The body depends on this blood supply for oxygen. An irregular heartbeat is always a matter for concern. Dysrhythmia is one of many cardiac conditions commonly found in those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Cardiac Dysrythmia

• Symptoms of cardiac dysrthymia range from the mild sensation of fluttering, skipped beats or gentle palpitations in the chest to severe pounding along with dizziness and feelings of faintness or fatigue. In its mild form, dysrthymia is often self-correcting and no more than an annoyance. It can be caused by excessive caffeine or nicotine intake or by stress. However it can also indicate the presence of a serious condition such as diseased or blocked coronary arteries or, especially after a heart attack, injury to the heart muscles. Some types of disrhthymia, such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation are major malfunctions of the ventricles, the large heart chambers, preventing the heart from pumping blood to the body in normal quantities. These are considered medical emergencies.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the body's immune system. It is a chronic condition involving severe inflammation not only of joints such as the knees and ankles but also of organs in the body, which if not checked can cause severe damage to the joints and other tissues. The heart and lungs in particular can become inflamed in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation can directly affect the coronary arteries, promoting the development of atherosclerosis, a condition in which the build up of plaques on the artery wall can lead to partial or complete interruption of blood flow. Rheumatoid arthritis can be fatal when it affects the heart and lungs.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Dysrhythmia

• An association between rheumatoid arthritis and dysrhythmia has been widely reported, for example by A.E. Voskyul in a 2006 research paper in the journal, Rheumatology." As Voskyul notes, this is only one cardiac condition commonly found in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. Others include ischaemic heart disease, damage to the heart caused by inadequate blood supply, and congestive heart failure, in which the heart becomes incapable of supplying the body with adequate blood. Disrythmia in rheumatoid arthritis is best understood as part of a pattern of related conditions associated with reduced cardiac function.

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Many drug therapies can be used against rheumatoid arthritis.

  Although it cannot simply be cured, rheumatoid arthritis can be controlled and managed, and there is remission in some cases. It is treated by medication. Anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce pain and swelling caused by inflammation of the joints. Anti-rheumatic drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, used over long periods, can promote remission. Drugs that suppress the body's immune system also can be beneficial, but carry serious risk because they undermine the body's defenses against other disease. So-called "biologic" medications can be used to block the receptor pathways for inflammation. Medication for rheumatoid arthritis is a rapidly developing field, and many alternative drug therapies to combat the disease are available.

Treatment of Cardiac Dysrhythmia

• Although treatment of the underlying condition may be of primary concern, irregular heartbeat can be treated directly. Drugs to regulate heartbeat, including beta-blockers, are available. Irregularity of heartbeat also can be corrected by mild electric shock treatment. A more intrusive treatment is implanting a pacemaker. A pacemaker is a small device implanted in the chest that regulates the heartbeat by sending electric signals to the heart muscles.