Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) are problems that affect the electrical system, or "wiring," of the heart muscle. Heart arrhythmias are very common and millions of people will experience an abnormal heart rhythm some time during their lives. Most are not serious.
Many irregular heart rhythms are harmless and go away on their own. Often they are caused by factors not related to the heart. Some heart rhythm disorders, however, are serious and may put people at risk for sudden cardiac death.
An electrophysiologist is like a detective. Fainting is like a hit-and-run crime, because the person has not fainted in front of you.So you have to put certain pieces of information together to try and solve it, because there’s a very good possibility that fainting will happen again.
Click here: Heart's Electrical Conduction
What is an arrhythmia?
An arrhythmia is a change in the rhythm of your heartbeat. When the heart beats too fast, it's called tachycardia. When it beats too slow, it's called bradycardia. An arrhythmia can also mean that your heart beats irregularly (skips a beat or has an extra beat). At some time or another, most people have felt their heart race or skip a beat. These occasional changes can be brought on by strong emotions or exercise. They usually are not a cause for alarm. Arrhythmias that occur more often or cause symptoms may be more serious and need to be discussed with your doctor.
What are the symptoms of arrhythmia?
Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, especially if you have heart disease or have had a heart attack.
* Palpitations or rapid thumping in your chest
* Feeling tired or light-headed
* Passing out
* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain
The heart has 4 compartments, or chambers. The walls of the heart squeeze together (contract) to push blood through the chambers. The contractions are controlled by an electrical signal that begins in the heart's natural "pacemaker" (called the sinoatrial node). The rate of the contractions is influenced by nerve impulses and hormones in the blood. A problem in any of these can cause an arrhythmia.
Minor arrhythmias may be caused by excessive alcohol use, smoking, caffeine, stress or exercise. The most common cause of arrhythmias is heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease, abnormal heart valve function and heart failure. However, arrhythmias can occur for no known reason.
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