What is Arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia is a condition that causes irregularity in the working of the heart, arising out of an electrical dysfunction that causes it to beat abnormally. In a healthy adult, the resting heart rate should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute. When this rhythm becomes abnormal, it indicates an arrhythmia.
Around 40% of Indian cardiac patients have signs of heart rhythm disorders. Arrhythmia and irregular heart rhythms contribute to nearly 90% of cardiac arrests.
What are the Types of Arrhythmia?
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Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
- One of the most common forms of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation.
- Irregular electrical activity of the atria causes the heart to beat in a rapid and atypical manner.
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Atrial Flutter
- Atrial flutter involves the rapid beating of the atria, but there is a more organised beating.
- Despite the regular heartbeats, the heart rate in atrial flutter is usually too high, leading to signs and symptoms like palpitations, difficulty breathing, tiredness, and dizziness.
- Sometimes, atrial flutter may develop into atrial fibrillation.
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Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
- SVT refers to several types of arrhythmias that result from issues in areas above the ventricles, especially the atria or atrioventricular nodes.
- In supraventricular tachycardia, there is a rapid heart rate with episodes that begin and end abruptly.
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Ventricular Tachycardia
- Ventricular tachycardia results from abnormal electrical signals originating from the ventricles and causes an excessively rapid heart rate.
- In this case, the heart has insufficient time to fill up with blood, resulting in poor blood circulation throughout the body.
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Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular fibrillation is a dangerous form of arrhythmia characterised by abnormal electrical activity in the lower heart chambers.
- In this condition, the ventricles shudder due to the presence of abnormal impulses, hence leading to the heart being unable to pump out blood properly.
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Bradycardia
- Bradycardia refers to the condition wherein the heart beats ineffectively, failing to pump blood accordingly.
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Premature Contractions
- Premature heartbeats are extra heartbeats occurring earlier than normal and may interrupt the regular functioning of the heart. These extra beats happen in a repeating pattern or occasionally along with a normal heartbeat.
- When the extra beats happen in the upper chambers of the heart (atria), they are called Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs). If they come from the lower chambers (ventricles), they are known as Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs).
How Common is Arrhythmia in India?
Arrhythmia is becoming a major problem associated with the cardiovascular system among people living in India. Reports suggest that there are nearly 10 million Indians suffering from arrhythmia.
Several factors result in the prevalence of arrhythmias among individuals residing in India. This includes having a high percentage of elderly individuals, as well as those suffering from other health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, coronary heart disease, and heart failure. Lifestyle-related factors, such as stress, smoking, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy dietary habits, may also increase the risk of developing abnormal heart rhythms.
What are the Symptoms of Arrhythmia?
Here are the most common symptoms of arrhythmia:
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Heart Palpitations
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Dizziness and Feeling Lightheaded
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Difficulty Breathing
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Tiredness
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Chest Pain
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Fainting
What Causes Arrhythmia?
Some of the causes of arrhythmia include heart problems, certain diseases, and lifestyle issues.
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Heart Problems
- Artery Disease: The lack of enough blood flow to the heart affects its functioning.
- Heart Attack: Scarring from a heart attack can affect its electrical activity
- Heart Failure: Modifications in the heart's anatomy may impact the way the heart functions.
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Chronic Diseases
- High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure may cause the enlargement of the heart.
- Diabetes: This condition increases one's chances of cardiovascular issues and electrical dysf
- Thyroid Diseases:These may affect the functioning of the heart due to thyroid hormone imbalance.
- Sleep Apnea: Lack of enough oxygen in the body may contribute to arrhythmia. Sleep Apnea: Lack of enough oxygen in the body may contribute to arrhythmia.
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Lifestyle
- Smoking: It may impact the health of the body's blood vessels and affect the heart rhythm.
- Consuming Too Much Alcohol: This substance may cause atrial fibrillation.
- Consumption of Excessive Coffee: This substance may cause palpitations.
- Stress: This condition can affect the working of the heart rhythm.
- Medications: Some medications may affect the electrical system of the heart.
Complications Associated with Arrhythmia
Here are the most common symptoms of arrhythmia:
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Stroke: Arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation can create blood clots that may travel to your brain.
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Heart Failure: Chronic arrhythmia eventually will lead to issues with your heart's pumping action.
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Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Serious arrhythmias can cause your heart to not function normally and be unable to pump.
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Blood Clots: Abnormal blood flow within your heart increases the chances of forming blood clots.
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Cognitive & Brain-related Problems: Irregular flow of blood will interfere negatively with brain functions.
When Should I See My Healthcare Provider?
You should visit your doctor in case you observe the following symptoms:
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Heart palpitations
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Pain in your chest area
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Feeling faint
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Severe dizziness
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Difficulty breathing
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Very fast or very slow heart rate
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Sudden weakness
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Family history of sudden cardiac arrest
How is Arrhythmia Diagnosed?
Here are some tests that can help diagnose arrhythmia:
| Test Name | Normal Range | Borderline | Confirmed Diagnosis |
| Resting Heart Rate | 60-100 bpm | Some irregularities | Rhythm abnormality is present |
| ECG | Normally conducts electricity | Mild irregularities | Arrhythmia is observed |
| Holter Monitoring | Normal rhythm | Intermittent irregularities | Recurrent arrhythmia is observed |
| Electrophysiology Study | Flu-like symptoms | ||
| Fever and tiredness | Normal conduction pathway | Systemic abnormalities | A specific arrhythmia is detected |
Note: Unlike diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, where diagnosis depends on numbers, arrhythmia diagnosis depends on the electricity observed.
How is Arrhythmia Treated?
Here are some ways to treat and manage arrhythmia:
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Lifestyle modifications: Focus on healthy living, eat a balanced diet, and exercise.
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Medication: There are certain medications prescribed by doctors to regulate the heartbeat and the rhythm of the heartbeat and prevent blood clots.
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Treatment of Underlying Causes: Focus on treating existing illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, and sleep apnoea.
What is the Prognosis for Arrhythmia?
Some types of arrhythmia can be successfully treated or controlled with medication, lifestyle changes, or medical procedures. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of complications such as stroke, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest. It is also manageable depending on the type of arrhythmia, its severity, and how early it is discovered.
How to Prevent Arrhythmia?
To prevent developing arrhythmia, you can follow the habits listed below:
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Maintain a healthy body weight
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Exercise regularly
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Treat high blood pressure
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Manage your diabetes
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Avoid smoking
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Consume fewer alcoholic drinks
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Focus on stress management
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Improve sleeping routine
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Get regular health checks
Does Health Insurance Cover Arrhythmia?
Yes, several health insurance plans available in India provide coverage for arrhythmia. The coverage may include hospitalisation expenses, such as admission fees, the cost of an ECG test and a Holter monitoring tests, medicines, consultations, and other procedures, involved in treating arrhythmia, subject to policy terms & conditions.
Pre-existing conditions of arrhythmia normally have a waiting period of about two to three years.
How Much Health Insurance Coverage Is Needed for Arrhythmia Treatment?
The extent to which the cover should be taken for arrhythmia will depend on the seriousness of the problem and the extent of medical expenses incurred by the individual, as well as the geographical location.
A health insurance coverage of around ₹5 lakh may be sufficient for mild to moderate cases requiring medical tests, medicines, and hospitalisation.
Cases involving elderly or individuals with complex heart disease or requiring a pacemaker or catheter ablation, one has health insurance coverage of around ₹7-₹10 lakh. Irrespective of which health insurance coverage you choose, remember to compare different plans to get the best one that suits your requirements.
FAQs
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Q1. What is a normal heart rate?
Ans: The resting heart rate of most individuals falls within the range of 60–100 beats per minute. A resting heart rate below 60 bpm or above 100 bpm may sometimes indicate an arrhythmia, especially if accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, or chest pain. -
Q2. Can arrhythmia go away on its own?
Ans: Whether it will go away depends on the cause of the arrhythmia. It may occur due to temporary causes, such as anxiety, infections, and coffee intake. However, there might be times when this condition might require lifelong medication. -
Q3. Is arrhythmia a serious condition?
Ans: Yes, arrhythmia is a life-threatening disorder. While some types of arrhythmia carry no dangers at all, there might be some dangerous variations that involve risks of heart attacks, strokes, and even sudden death. It’s best to consult your doctor for proper diagnosis.
