Arrhythmia is a pathological condition of the cardiovascular system. It is characterized by a disturbance in the rhythm of the atria and, consequently, the sequence of excitation and contraction of the heart as a whole.
Causes
Most often, disturbances in heart rhythm occur due to:
- Congenital and acquired heart defects
- High blood pressure
- Other cardiovascular diseases in the medical history (for example, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction)
- Smoking
- Medications (diuretics, cardiac glycosides, sympathomimetics).
Diagnosis of Arrhythmia in Israel
The main complaint of patients is palpitations. These are sharp, strong heartbeats that often cause feelings of fear and take one's breath away. This symptom is accompanied by weakness and dizziness, and the patient notes pain in the heart area. In more serious cases, there may be irregular heartbeats, fainting, and loss of consciousness.
At the Ichilov clinic, Israel, comprehensive diagnosis of arrhythmia is conducted:
- Electrocardiogram
- 24-hour ECG monitoring – continuous recording of the electrocardiogram for 24 hours;
- Electrophysiological study – insertion of special catheters with electrical contacts into the veins. They record electrical impulses separately for each heart chamber.
Treatment of Arrhythmia in Israel
Conservative medication therapy:
- Normalization of heart rhythm – stops the arrhythmic attack. These medications are best taken under the supervision of doctors
- Control of heart rate – arrhythmia can occur with both increased and decreased heartbeats. Therefore, it is important to achieve a normal heart rate – approximately 60 beats per minute
- Antithrombotic therapy – arrhythmia can be complicated by thrombosis of the coronary arteries. To prevent this, doctors at the Ichilov clinic prescribe anticoagulants to thin the blood.
Conservative treatment of arrhythmia in Israel is standard; however, in some cases, surgeons are forced to resort to surgical intervention:
- Catheter ablation. A catheter is inserted into the body through the subclavian vein or femoral artery or vein and reaches the heart. Then, using liquid nitrogen, it affects the heart muscle. The result is the identification of the arrhythmogenic point and the application of high-frequency radio impulses to it. After the operation, the patient remains on strict bed rest for 12 to 24 hours
- Implantation of a pacemaker. A catheter is inserted through which the surgeon performs ablation of the atrioventricular node (this is the "backup" pacemaker, the primary one being the sinoatrial node). This blocks the pathological waves of impulse conduction.
Prevention of Arrhythmia
Includes a comprehensive set of measures:
- Treatment of comorbidities
- Adherence to a diet (foods rich in potassium and magnesium), quitting tobacco and alcohol
- Moderate physical activity
- Monitoring weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels
- Stress management, controlling fatigue.