Once an arrhythmia has been documented, it’s important to try to find out where it originates. It’s also necessary to find out whether it’s abnormal or merely reflects the heart’s normal processes. The arrhythmia must be abnormal and clinically significant before it warrants treatment. That means it must either cause symptoms or put a person at risk for more serious arrhythmias or complications of arrhythmias in the future. (American Heart Association)
Risk Factors:
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Age (MayoClinic.com and Heart Rhythm Society); menopause (Women’s
Heart Foundation)
High blood pressure (MayoClinic.com and Heart Rhythm Society)
Obesity (MayoClinic.com and Heart Rhythm Society)
Caffeine (MayoClinic.com and Heart Rhythm Society)
Stress (Heart Rhythm Society)
OTC medications – some blood pressure medications (Heart Rhythm
Society); somewhere saw something about decongestants and/or antihistamines, although mine were not cited
Self-care:
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Eat heart-healthy foods (MayoClinic.com and Heart Rhythm Society)
Increase your physical activity (MayoClinic.com and Heart Rhythm Society)
Cut back on caffeine (MayoClinic.com and Heart Rhythm Society)
Find ways to reduce the amount of stress in your life and avoid unnecessary stress (MayoClinic.com and Heart Rhythm Society)
Maintain a healthy weight (Heart Rhythm Society)
Have regular physical exams (Heart Rhythm Society)
Remedy high blood pressure (Heart Rhythm Society)
Arrhythmia Information
Once an arrhythmia has been documented, it’s important to try to find out where it originates. It’s also necessary to find out whether it’s abnormal or merely reflects the heart’s normal processes. The arrhythmia must be abnormal and clinically significant before it warrants treatment. That means it must either cause symptoms or put a person at risk for more serious arrhythmias or complications of arrhythmias in the future. (American Heart