There are various types of arrhythmias that have an impact on overall health. An arrhythmia is simply a disorder with the rhythm and rate of the heart. Issues might arise once the ability of the heart to function is drastically reduced for an extended time. This can result to life-threatening issues especially from ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation which is described as a rapid, chaotic rhythm in which the lower heart chambers quiver and the heart could no longer pump any blood, thus resulting to cardiac arrest.
In case the heart continues to pump as usual, ventricular tachycardia can be tolerated without fainting or ending up with cardiac arrest. Remember that tachycardia might only last for a few seconds or last for minutes or hours.
Arrhythmias such as tachycardia can result to serious injury to the other bodily organs such as the lungs, brain, kidneys or liver. The formation of blood clots can occur due to atrial fibrillation. The blood that is not fully pumped out of the atria as the heart beats might buildup and clot. If a piece of the blood clot breaks free, it can enter the bloodstream and lodge into a constricted artery leading to or inside the brain to cause a stroke.
Arrhythmias can cause stroke
Stroke is a condition that affects the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. It occurs if a blood vessels that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the brain ruptures or clogged by a blood clot.
Due to the rupture or blockage, a region in the brain could not receive enough blood. The deprivation of oxygen causes the brain cells in the affected region to stop functioning and eventually die in minutes. Once the brain ceases to function, the region of the body being controlled ceases to function as well. The detrimental effects of stroke are usually permanent since the dead brain cells could not be replaced anymore.
More Information / Disclaimer
The information posted on this page on arrhythmias is for learning purposes only. Learn to recognize and manage circulatory emergencies including dangerous arrhythmias by taking a standard first aid course with Saskatoon First Aid.