5 Types of Arrhythmia and Heart Rhythm Disorders to Watch Out for

Arrhythmia is a disturbance in the rhythm of the heart. Signs of a heartbeat that is too fast, too slow, or irregular depend on the type of arrhythmia you are experiencing. This condition is triggered by interference with electrical impulses, so you cannot control your heartbeat properly.

 

Types of Arrhythmia to Watch Out for

According to Medical News Today, there are several types of arrhythmia based on the part of the heart affected. There are supraventricular arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias, bradycardia, premature ventricular contractions, and premature atrial contractions. Following is the complete explanation:

1. Supraventricular Arrhythmia

Supraventricular arrhythmia is a heart rhythm disturbance that occurs in the upper atrium of the heart, which is where blood enters from the body to the heart. The main symptom of supraventricular arrhythmia is characterized by a fast heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute (bpm).

This supraventricular arrhythmia is classified into several types, namely:

a. Atrial Fibrillation

This arrhythmia is often experienced by elderly men, diabetics, and those with a history of hypertension, lung disease, or heart failure. Symptoms include a very fast heartbeat of up to 400 beats per minute. As a result, blood cannot flow smoothly and can form clots. If atrial fibrillation is not treated immediately, there is a risk of triggering cardiomyopathy or stroke.

 b. Atrial Flutter

This type of arrhythmia can be recognized by a heart rate ranging from 250 to 350 times per minute. As a result, tissue damage occurs, which triggers disturbances in impulses or electrical signals in the heart.

c. Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is an arrhythmia caused by a disturbance in the impulse or electrical signal from the atrium of the heart to the lower part of the heart, thereby triggering an additional heartbeat. This symptom often occurs when sufferers of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia engage in heavy physical activity.

2. Ventricular Arrhythmia

Next is ventricular arrhythmia. This heart rhythm disturbance occurs in the heart chambers, which has the risk of stopping blood flow throughout the body. There are two types of ventricular arrhythmia, namely ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation.

a. Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia is a type of arrhythmia that is triggered by abnormal impulses in the heart's ventricles. As a result, the heart beats too fast, so it does not optimally receive oxygen. Sufferers of ventricular tachycardia often feel dizzy, short of breath, and even experience loss of consciousness.

b. Ventricular Fibrillation

Ventricular fibrillation occurs due to electrical disturbances in the heart's ventricular muscle. This condition risks stopping blood flow to the heart. As a result, the heart lacks oxygen, which makes it beat abnormally. This condition should not be ignored; it must be treated immediately to avoid experiencing cardiac arrest, which can be life-threatening.

3. Bradycardia

In contrast to other arrhythmias, where the heart beats faster than normal, bradycardia is the opposite. This heart rhythm disturbance causes the heart to slow down, below the normal threshold of 60 beats per minute. However, a slow heart rate does not always indicate a heart problem.

This could indicate a conduction block or obstruction of the atrioventricular node impulse pathway, which is located between the ventricles and the atria. Elderly people also often experience irregular heartbeats because the sinus node does not send electrical signals properly. This condition is called sick sinus syndrome.

4. Premature Ventricular Contractions

Premature ventricular contractions are a condition where the heart beats earlier than it should. The cause is premature interruption of electrical signals from the ventricles. People with this arrhythmia generally feel a short pause followed by a strong pulse before returning to a normal heart rhythm.

This condition can occur due to abnormal heart structure or an imbalance in electrolyte levels. The trigger can be stress, excessive exercise or heavy physical activity, or consuming excessive caffeine or nicotine.

5. Premature Atrial Contractions

Apart from premature ventricular contractions, premature atrial contractions must also be watched out for. The signs are the same, namely that the heart beats earlier than it should. The difference is that if premature ventricular contractions cause premature impulse disturbances originating from the ventricles, in premature atrial contractions, electrical signal disturbances originate from the atria of the heart. This condition can be experienced by people with heart disease and healthy people.

Knowing the types of arrhythmias you need to watch out for will increase awareness of the importance of paying attention to your body's health condition. If there are symptoms that point to one type of heart rhythm disorder, Friends of Hermina can immediately consult with a heart specialist at the nearest Hermina Hospital to get appropriate medical treatment to minimize the risk of serious complications arising.