diyhealth.com

Arrhythmia Causes

Arrhythmia: Causes


Top Causes

1. Old age

People above the age of 50 years are more prone to develop arrhythmia due to the thinning of blood vessels. While this may not be truly significant, you need to monitor any cardiac arrhythmia during old age.

2. Lack of exercise

Lack of exercise results in accumulation of all the unused calories into fat and thus pressurizes the heart to pump faster. In the process, the heart can develop arrhythmic conditions.

3. Unhealthy diet

A diet rich in fats and fatty acids can put pressure on the heart and cause arrhythmia. It is best to maintain a diet low on cholesterol.

4. Electrolyte imbalance

Electrolytic imbalance can impair the electrical impulses sent to the cardiac muscle and cause arrhythmia . An imbalance in electrolytes such as sodium and potassium can also interfere with the flow of blood towards the heart.

5. Congenital arrhythmia

Certain people are born with cardiac arrhythmia. These generally do not cause any harm and are accidentally discovered during a cardiac evaluation.

6. Drugs

Certain drugs, when taken for a long time, can cause irregularities in the heart beat . They can result in cardiac arrhythmia as a side effect. If you already have a cardiac problem, then you need to take drugs prescribed by the doctor.

7. Alcohol

Alcohol, like caffeine, has a hazardous effect on the heart rhythm and should be consumed in mild to moderate quantity.

8. Caffeine

While caffeine is a good stimulant, excessive use of caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and tea, or smoking can lead to irregularities in the heart beat. This is due to the thickening of the arteries from the deposition of plaque in the arterial walls.

9. Anxiety and stress

A person under enormous stress or anxiety, either in the work place or at home, has a strong tendency to develop arrhythmia. Emotional stress and depression trigger the production of various hormones which can have a negative impact on the heart rhythm. This in turn leads to arrhythmia. At times, it can even cause a heart attack or myocardial infarction with a prolonged bout of stress.

10. Thyroid irregularities

Hormones play an important role in balancing the various metabolic activities in the body. Excessive thyroid hormones can increase the rate of metabolism, thereby forcing your heart to beat at a faster pace. This is why tachycardia is common in patients with hyperthyroidism.

11. Coronary heart disease

Irregularities in the functioning of the heart, such as stroke or any type of heart disease, can give rise to cardiac arrhythmia. This indicates that you need to attend to the problem immediately by consulting your physician.

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top