How is Arrhythmias treated?
Many therapies are available, which depend on age, physical condition, history of heart disease and the type of arrhythmia you have.
Lifestyle changes or non-drug treatments can be used for mild arrhythmias, and may also be combined with medications or surgery for more severe problems.
- Increasing your level of exercise may help, but speak to your doctor first to find out which type of exercise is best for you.
- Avoid nicotine and caffeine, since both can increase heart rate and bring on arrhythmias in people who are prone to them.
- Quit smoking, which will also lower your risk of heart disease.
- Reduce stress.
Medications that treat arrhythmias control the patterns of electricity in the heart. Your doctor will choose one that can safely control your arrhythmia.
Pacemaker implants can be surgically installed into the heart to keep it beating at a regular rate.
Defibrillator implants are used in people at risk of ventricular fibrillation. This device monitors the heartbeat and stops ventricular fibrillation by giving the heart a small electric shock.
Catheter ablation is a procedure used only in certain types of arrhythmias where a small area of the heart is short circuiting electric signals that normally cause the heart to beat regularly. In catheter ablation, a small electrode (or catheter) is threaded up into the heart and destroys the problem-causing tissue.
Electric shocks (to the heart) are used in emergencies to stop an arrhythmia. These are carefully measured and given by doctors.
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What is Arrhythmias?