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- What is arrhythmia?
- Symptoms of arrhythmia
- Causes of arrhythmia
- Prevention of arrhythmia
- Risk factors for arrhythmia
- Complications of arrhythmia
- When to see a doctor about arrhythmia
- Diagnosis of arrhythmia
- Conventional treatment of arrhythmia
- Alternative/complementary treatment of arrhythmia
- Living with arrhythmia
- Caring for someone with arrhythmia
If you have any seriously fast (over 100 beats a minute for more than a few minutes) or very slowed heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute for more than a few minutes), you need to seek immediate emergency medical attention - call an ambulance 000
Management of arrhythmia consists of a number of factors relating mainly to lifestyle and dietary modifications:
- Avoid cigarette smoke - smoking cigarettes can damage the artery walls and lead to atherosclerosis, which can cause arrhythmia. In addition to this, smoking depletes the body of many of the antioxidants, especially vitamin C, which is required to ensure the artery walls are strong and healthy. Not only should you not smoke, but you should also not be around other people who smoke, because when you breath their unfiltered cigarette smoke it has exactly the same effect on your arteries as if you smoked yourself
- Avoid recreational drugs - there are a number of recreational drugs which can exacerbate arrhythmia or even cause it in the first place. Certain drugs (speed, cocaine, amphetamines) are stimulants which increase heart rate and should be avoided by people who have been diagnosed with arrhythmia
- Exercise regularly - in order to help condition the heart and improve circulation, a regular exercise program is required. Your doctor will advise you on the type of exercises you may be able to engage in, depending on your condition and the severity of your symptoms. If you can exercise, you should try to do so for at least 30-45 minutes every day (but only with your doctor's approval). Some people with certain types of arrhythmia may need to be careful when exercising, as any form of physical activity may initiate (sometimes life threatening) arrhythmia. Always seeks your doctors advice about exercise
- Increase intake of fruit - you need to make sure you eat at least 2-3 portions of fruit every day, ensuring that you have at least a few servings of cherries and berries each week. Fruit contains a number of vitamins and minerals and the cherries and berries contain the potent antioxidants anthocyanins, which may be useful in preventing oxidative damage to the artery walls, plus the fruit helps to reduce risk of high cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure levels
- Increase intake of vegetables - you need to ensue that you have at least 5-7 portions of vegetables every day, with at least 1-2 of those portions being leafy green vegetables, which are packed full of folic acid, fibre, vitamins and minerals. The folic acid may help to reduce homocysteine levels which is implicated in atherosclerosis, plus the vegetables help to reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides levels
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- Limit alcohol intake - alcohol puts a lot of stress on the arteries and the heart and is implicated in the worsening of atherosclerosis. Women should have no more than one drink and men should have no more than two drinks per day, with at least two days of the week being alcohol free
- Limit caffeine intake - caffeine is a stimulant, which increases heart rate and may cause some forms of arrhythmia to occur (usually the benign forms, but also can be the more serious ones). Caffeine intake should be limited to no more than two cups of coffee on most days, with some days to be caffeine free
- Medications - if you experience any palpitations, fast or irregular heartbeat from any medications you are taking (especially over-the-counter cold and sinus medications), you must talk to your doctor about it. Your doctor will advise you on how to reduce your reliance on this type of medication and offer advice on alternatives
- More oily fish in the diet - you need to make sure you eat at least two portions of oily fish each week, to increase your intake of the omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and are vital for heart health. The best types of oily fish are: mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna and should be wild and fresh (canned fish should be eaten less regularly)
- Reduce stress - prolonged amounts of stress can increase the amount of the stress hormone cortisol, which creates a great deal of inflammation everywhere in the body and it can also damage the artery walls and the heart. Reducing stress is vital to ensuring better heart, artery and cardiovascular health. There are a number of excellent stress-reduction strategies: dancing, having a bath, meditation, tai chi, visualisation, yoga
- Regular doctor visits - you need to see your doctor on a regular basis, in order to monitor your symptoms, the progression of your condition and to adjust medications (if you are getting any side effects). You can also ask your doctor's advice about any supplements you want to take in addition to your medications (if you are taking any) to make sure that it is safe to do so. Your doctor may request regular blood tests to monitor your cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure levels as part of the monitoring of your condition
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< 10: alternative treatment 12: caregiving > Last reviewed: 27 October 2007 || Last updated: 9 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
