The word arrhythmia is like a name that needs a surname to identify it, since there are several types of arrhythmias.
Basically, there are arrhythmias in a structurally healthy heart, i.e., in the absence of valve disease, musculature or heart arteries, and arrhythmias in a heart with some pathology. In the first case, those that appear in a structurally healthy heart are more benign than those that occur in a diseased heart.
Among those that occur in a healthy heart, there are those caused by some anomaly in the heart’s electrical system and those caused by external situations, such as the consumption of stimulants and stressful situations.
Symptoms, how do I know I have arrhythmia?
Most patients notice a sensation of palpitations, i.e. the perception of a rapid, intense or irregular heartbeat. In some cases a sensation of instability or dizziness and even choking may also be felt.
Sometimes, the most benign ones, can be perceived as a sensation of overturning at the level of the heart.
On the other hand, on many occasions, it is possible to have chronic arrhythmia and not notice any symptoms.
Life with arrhythmias, is it possible to live with them?
Of course, the patient with arrhythmias can maintain a normal life. Most arrhythmias are well controlled with treatment and their importance is very variable depending on the cardiac disease that causes them.
Traveling with arrhythmia
When the arrhythmias are benign or chronic, i.e., it is an arrhythmia that the patient has always had, there is no problem in traveling and even taking airplanes.
In the case of arrhythmias that occur in the form of sudden episodes, the patient usually has a treatment that can be taken as a supplementary dose in the event of arrhythmia symptoms during a flight. The best thing to do in this case is to ask the cardiologist before starting the trip, as well as what treatment can be taken in case of need.
Practicing sports with arrhythmia
The practice of sport is not limited by the arrhythmia itself, but by the cardiac disease causing the arrhythmia.
In case of benign arrhythmias there is no limitation, even paradoxically the symptoms disappear with sport activity.
There are arrhythmias that are related to intense sports practice and, in these cases, the intensity should be limited, although without abandoning the sport.
Finally, sports activity in arrhythmias related to disease of the musculature, valves or arteries of the heart should be established on a case-by-case basis.
In general, aerobic exercises such as running, cycling and swimming are recommended. Although sporting activity may be limited, physical activity consisting of daily walking for at least 30 minutes is rarely contraindicated.
Day-to-day advice for patients with arrhythmias
In the case of benign arrhythmias, it is recommended to avoid exciting substances: caffeine, energy drinks, alcohol and stressful situations.
If your cardiologist has confirmed that these are benign arrhythmias, you should not panic when you notice them, as this same situation of alarm and stress makes them more frequent.
For arrhythmias that require treatment, it is essential to follow the doses of medication established by your physician and to consult with him or her about the possibility of having a supplementary dose of treatment if necessary.
It is also advisable to consult with your cardiologist in which situation you should go to an emergency department in case of persistent symptoms, as this will depend on the type of arrhythmia.