Extrasystole

Table of Contents:

1. What are extrasystoles?
2. Prognosis
3. Symptoms
4. Diagnosis
5. What are the causes of extrasystoles?
6. Can they be prevented?
7. Treatment
8. Medical specialist

What are extrasystoles?

It is a problem caused by irregular heart contractions that alter the normal rhythm of the heart muscle. In concrete terms, these arrhythmias occur because a contraction stimulus starts before the normal rhythm and in a different area of the atrial sinus, which is where it should originate, causing an unpleasant sensation of a missing heartbeat or the heart jumping into the throat.

Prognosis of the disease

The extrasystolic disorder should not be considered alarming if it occurs sporadically. In cases where it becomes more frequent, however, it is advisable to intervene as early as possible to prevent it, since in the long term it could lead to the development of arrhythmias in predisposed patients.

Symptoms of extrasystoles

Extrasystoles are usually asymptomatic and are diagnosed randomly during check-ups for other diseases. When present, the most common symptoms include palpitations, rapid heartbeat, no heartbeat or other disturbances.

The affected person usually becomes more sensitive to changes in the heartbeat and in predisposed personalities a cycle of anxiety is triggered which only makes the disorder even worse. When tachycardias are also present, symptoms such as dizziness, asthenia and respiratory problems occur.

Although in many cases the extrasystoles are asymptomatic,
are also detected by the presence of tachycardia, dizziness and respiratory problems.

Diagnosis of extrasystoles

Diagnosis of the problem is fairly straightforward and is made through an electrocardiogram. If there is already a suspicion of extrasystoles and the test has not produced satisfactory results with a single measurement, the physician may decide to use a Holter to record the heart rate over a couple of days, that is, at different times of the day and during rest, to obtain a complete picture.

In special cases, a stress electrocardiogram can also be performed, i.e. while performing progressively more intense physical activity. If the extrasystoles do not diminish during the measurement, this is a sign that it may be another disease.

What are the causes of extrasystoles?

The phenomenon of premature contractions in the atria or ventricles, manifested by an irregular heartbeat and the sensation of a possible heart block, is still not entirely clear, especially in people without other problems.

Triggering factors appear to be an agitated emotional state, prolonged stressful situations, fatigue or general malaise. In rarer cases, however, extrasystoles can also be caused by actual heart disease or other problems such as anemia, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, mineral salt deficiency, hernias or gastroesophageal reflux.

Can they be prevented?

To avoid the discomfort caused by extrasystoles, it is essential to act early to prevent them. First of all, it is essential to avoid all factors that could aggravate an already existing state of discomfort, such as coffee, tobacco or alcohol.

At the same time, it is advisable to initiate a program aimed at reducing and/or effectively managing stress with sports such as yoga and pilates, psychotherapy associated with relaxation techniques and, finally, the use of pharmacological treatments. Nutrition should also not be underestimated, giving preference to healthy and light foods.

Treatments for extrasystoles

In people who do not suffer from other pathologies, extrasystoles do not require particular treatments, as they are mainly caused by emotional factors, such as stress and anxiety.

It has been shown that sporting activity, with its associated relaxing effect, helps to reduce the frequency of the disorder considerably. In particularly severe cases, pharmacological treatment can be used to reduce the heartbeat and, consequently, the effects of the disorder, or anxiolytics to alleviate stress.

In the case of other heart muscle problems, antiarrhythmic treatment or pacemaker placement will be considered, depending on the severity of the problem.

Which specialist should be consulted?

The specialist who diagnoses extrasystoles and excludes a more serious pathology is the cardiologist.