Risk Factors And Complication – Arrhythmia

Risk elements leading to arrhythmia:

• Aging is known to predictably slacken the heart leading to lowered flexibility that has a major bearing on the transmission of the electrical impulses.
• Individuals with a congenital heart anomaly are at greater risk of getting arrhythmia.
• Those with heart ailments, constricted arteries, those with a history of heart attack, improperly functioning heart valves, past heart surgery and cardiomyopathy are more prone to developing arrhythmia.
• Those with problems of the thyroid gland like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism are more prone to developing arrhythmia.
• Certain types of prescription medicines, some OTC medicines intended to treat cough and cold that contain pseudoephedrine might trigger the onset of arrhythmia.
• Those ailing from high blood pressure are more prone to developing CAD or coronary arterial disease and other heart ailments that lead to inadequate transmission of electrical impulses.
• Being overweight or obese has been strongly associated with a wide occurrence of heart ailments inclusive of type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and arrhythmia.
• An individual with uninhibited diabetes is a major risk of developing arrhythmia than a patient with restrained blood glucose levels or who has been taking adequate treatment.
• Those with disruptive sleep apnea might be prone to bradycardia or atrial fibrillation with greater frequency than other individuals.
• Electrolytes are crucial for the appropriate transmission of electric impulses among cells. An unbalance that could range from soaring to plummeting levels of electrolytes in the heart leads to arrhythmia.
• Those who binge drink on a regular basis are more prone to developing atrial fibrillation.
• Excessive consumption of caffeine or other forms of stimulants could lead to increased heart rate and ultimately leading to arrhythmias.
• Illicit drug abuse like that of amphetamines and cocaine could lead to arrhythmias, particularly ventricular fibrillation.

Possible Complications:

• Stroke – When the heart is undergoing fibrillation or quivering, it is an implication of its improper pumping mechanism. This could lead to blood accumulating in clusters that eventually leads to clot formation. A probable dislodgement of any one of the clots could travel to a brain artery, creating a blockage and thus leading to a stroke. Stroke would cause damage to the brain and could lead to fatality.
• Heart Attack – Protracted tachycardia or bradycardia would lead to the heart inadequately pumping blood to the body and other vital organs that could lead to a cardiac failure. Treatment could normally aid in improving this situation.
• Alzheimer’s disease – According to the studies conducted by the scientists at Intermountain Medical Center, Salt Lake City, there has been lucid association noted between atrial fibrillation and the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

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