Arrhythmia Treatment Center, Synphaet Hospital Ramintra

Care provided by a team of specialized doctors

 

Understanding Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia refers to irregular heartbeats that may be too fast or too slow, resulting from electrical disturbances or short circuits in the heart. This leads to inefficient blood circulation to the rest of the body, increasing the risk of heart failure or stroke.

At the Arrhythmia Treatment Center, Synphaet Hospital Ramintra, we offer comprehensive care for arrhythmia, managed by a team of specialized cardiologists, equipped with advanced medical technology to diagnose and treat arrhythmias, heart rhythm abnormalities, or any electrical disturbances of the heart, as well as heart rehabilitation to restore optimal function.

 

Types of Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias can be categorized into two types:

• Fast heart rate, with a pulse rate of 100 – 150 beats per minute
• Slow heart rate, with a pulse rate below 60 beats per minute

Generally, a “normal heart” beats regularly between 60 – 100 times per minute.

 

 Causes of Arrhythmia

The causes of arrhythmia vary by individual, influenced by lifestyle, medical history, and environmental factors. The key causes include:

• Congenital heart abnormalities, such as congenital heart muscle disorders, heart valve leakage, thickened heart walls, or coronary artery disease
• Medical conditions affecting heart function, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or electrolyte imbalances
• Medications or substances, such as amphetamines, caffeine found in tea, coffee, or soft drinks
• Stress and anxiety

 

Symptoms of Arrhythmia

In most cases, patients with arrhythmia may not be aware of the condition, often discovering it during a health checkup or when seeking treatment for other issues. However, some patients may experience noticeable symptoms, including:

 

Dizziness Lightheadedness Blurred vision Palpitations in the chest

Shortness of breath Chest pain or tightness Fainting or loss of consciousness

 

Diagnosis of Arrhythmia

• Detailed medical history review, including consumption of tea, coffee, soft drinks, and pre-existing health conditions (e.g., coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disorders)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) during symptoms
• 24- or 48-hour Holter monitoring for patients with intermittent symptoms
• Exercise stress test (EST) to assess heart performance during physical activity
• Electrocardiogram (echocardiogram) to visualize heart structure
• Cardiac electrophysiology study to evaluate electrical conduction in the heart

 

Treatment of Arrhythmia

Treatment is tailored by specialized doctors based on the cause, symptoms, location, and severity of the arrhythmia. Some arrhythmias may not require treatment, while others have various treatment options, including:

• Medications to control heart rhythm Although these do not provide a cure, they reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms. Many types of arrhythmias respond well to medication.
• Pacemaker implantation A small device is implanted under the skin near the collarbone to monitor heart rhythms and send electrical impulses to regulate and stimulate normal heartbeats.
• Cardioversion In cases of rapid heart rate, electrical shock from an external defibrillator is used to reset the heart’s rhythm.
• Ablation Therapy This procedure involves inserting a catheter to destroy abnormal heart tissue responsible for irregular electrical signals, potentially curing some types of arrhythmias.
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Similar to a pacemaker, it is implanted to manage dangerous heart rhythms (Ventricular Fibrillation) by stimulating the heart when it beats too slowly or delivering a shock when it beats too quickly.

 

Prevention of Arrhythmia

Although arrhythmia may not always be preventable, proper care and treatment can reduce the likelihood of occurrence:

• Avoid risk factors such as caffeine, alcohol, stress, and smoking
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Exercise regularly
• Undergo regular health checkups and visit a doctor

 

The cardiology and cardiac surgery departments include specialized centers that care for your heart health…

• Heart Center
• Heart Failure Center
• Heart and Lung Rehabilitation Center
• Heart and Lung Fitness or CPET/VO2Max
• Cardiac Catheterization Center
• Cardiac MRI
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Center

For more information or to schedule an appointment at the Arrhythmia Treatment Center:

Synphaet Hospital Ramintra, Tel: 02-793-5000