Heart Rhythm Changes that Necessitates Physician’s Attention

For the entire duration of our lives, the heart pumps oxygenated blood through our bodies through an electrical system that coordinates each and every beat. It’s a vital organ in the body. It can also be called a well-oiled machine. When it comes to the ticker’s electrical system, it usually works flawlessly although some individuals are more attuned to their heart rhythms than others especially at night. Disruptions in ticker rhythms can occur which can be alarming when we are aware of it.

Heart rhythm changes are usually harmless as the rate of our ticker adapts to our body’s need for energy throughout the day which changes based on physical activity like a bout of strenuous exercise or walking up/down the stairs. The change in rate based on physical activity is perfectly normal. The other common situations that can trigger changes in rhythms include mild dehydration that causes the ticker to beat more quickly, medication change can also trigger a temporarily abnormal heartbeat which highlights the importance of always sharing your medication routines with your healthcare provider or team. Sometimes, why we feel change in our ticker’s rhythms goes beyond our understanding.

It’s very easy to nurture healthy ticker rhythms. Control risk factors like diabetes, cholesterol and hypertension. Eat a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity. Quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake.

Heart Rhythm Changes that Necessitates seeking Medical Advice:

Although most rhythm fluctuations will likely be harmless, sometimes your first response should be to seek medical advice.

Sudden and Abnormal Symptoms- It’s advisable that you alert your doctor if there’s a clear first time you notice a rhythm change in your ticker. Change in heart rhythms corresponding to chest pain, losing consciousness or a prolonged sense that you might pass out also warrants a physician’s attention. Persistence of rhythmic abnormality necessitates seeking medical help.

History of other Heart Issues- See a doctor if you’ve had a heart attack, or untreated high blood pressure; if you were born with a malformation; you’ve undergone a heart surgery; there is something otherwise abnormal with your ticker and you notice abnormal rhythms.

Family History- If your family has a history of cardiovascular disease or sudden death, you are at an increased risk and your healthcare provider may ask you to attend more closely to changes in your heart rhythm.

Ventricular Fibrillation (V-fib) is one of the most dangerous arrhythmias that affects the ticker’s ventricles. Most cardiac arrests occur due to this abnormal rhythm. Proper application of the CPR procedure (a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths) and defibrillator use can revive the life of a cardiac arrest victim in an out-of-hospital emergency.

For a CPR class in Memphis, don’t look beyond the AHA certified CPR Memphis. Classes are conducted by experienced instructors through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice. For more information or to sign up for a program, call CPR Memphis on 901-438-4200.