Most arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms are considered
harmless and are left untreated. It is your doctor who has to determine whether
you have an arrhythmia, once she has documented that you have an abnormal
rhythm, he or she will need to find out whether it’s abnormal or merely
reflects the ticker’s normal processes. Your doctor also determines whether
your arrhythmia is clinically significant, that is whether it causes symptoms
or puts you at risk for more serious arrhythmias or complications of abnormal
rhythms in the future. Your doctor accordingly will set a treatment plan.
The main objectives of treatment especially for individuals
with atrial fibrillation (AFiB) is to prevent blood clots from forming to
reduce stroke risk; restore a normal heart rhythm if possible; control your
heart rate within a relatively normal range; treat cardiovascular
disease/condition that may be causing the abnormal rhythm; reduce other risk
factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Most cardiac arrests occur due to an abnormal rhythm by the
name of Ventricular Fibrillation that occurs when the ticker beats with rapid,
erratic electrical impulses which causes pumping chambers in your ticker (the
ventricles) to quiver uselessly, instead of pumping blood. A victim would
require immediate treatment for survival. The most appropriate forms of
treatment are proper application of the CPR procedure (a combination of chest
compressions and rescue breaths) and defibrillation (the process to offer
electric shocks to the chest of a victim with an AED device to restore normal
rhythm). For training, select a certified training center such as the AHA
certified CPR Memphis in Tennessee. There are courses for both healthcare and
non-healthcare providers.
Here’s information on a “PALS
class Memphis”:
Pediatric
Advanced Life Support Classes- Nurses, physicians, paramedics,
and all other healthcare providers who must develop and enhance their pediatric
assessment skills need to be PALS certified. In this course, you will learn and
practice team preparation for a pediatric crisis. Included in this learning is
identifying the onset of shock, as well as respiratory and cardiovascular
emergencies in children and infants. The class concludes with actual PALS cases
and a final written examination.
Tips to live with arrhythmias:
Take
Medications- Take medications exactly as prescribed and instructed. Do not
stop taking any prescription medication without first consulting your doctor.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side-effects. Also inform your
healthcare provider about all your other drugs and supplements, including
vitamins and over-the-counter medications.
Monitor
Your Pulse- It is important that you know how to take your pulse
especially if you have an artificial pacemaker. Feel for the pulse and count
the number of beats in one full minute, and keep a record of your pulse along
with the day and time taken and note down how you felt at that time.
Substances that can contribute to an abnormal/irregular
heartbeat include tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, cold and cough medications,
appetite suppressants, beta-blockers for high blood pressure, antiarrhythmics,
psychotropic drugs that are used to treat certain mental illnesses, street
drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, etc. Discuss with your doctor if you’re being
treated for arrhythmia and use any of these substances.
Manage Your
Risk Factors- Although just having certain arrhythmias increases your
risk of heart attack, cardiac arrest and stroke, but work with your healthcare
team and follow their instructions to control risk factors such as high blood
pressure, cholesterol, unhealthy diet, excess weight, smoking, lack of physical
exercise.
The best thing you can do if you have arrhythmia is to follow
your treatment plan and take things one day at a time. Sometimes you may feel
that you don’t get the support you need, help others to understand by educating
them about your condition and by asking for support to help follow your
treatment program.
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