Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia

Cardiac dysrhythmia (also known as arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat) is any of a group of conditions in which the electrical activity of the heart is irregular or is faster or slower than normal. The heartbeat may be too fast (over 100 beats per minute) or too slow (less than 60 beats per minute), and may be regular or irregular. A heart beat that is too fast is called tachycardia and a heart beat that is too slow is called bradycardia. Although many arrhythmias are not life-threatening, some can cause cardiac arrest.

Arrhythmias can occur in the upper chambers of the heart (atria), or in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). Arrhythmias may occur at any age. Some are barely perceptible, whereas others can be more dramatic and can even lead to sudden cardiac death.

cause

• Normally, the heart's most rapidly firing cells are in the sinus (or sinoatrial or SA) node, making that area a natural pacemaker.
• Under some conditions almost all heart tissue can start an impulse of the type that can generate a heartbeat. Cells in the heart's conduction system can fire automatically and start electrical activity. This activity can interrupt the normal order of the heart's pumping activity.
• Secondary pacemakers elsewhere in the heart provide a "back-up" rhythm when the sinus node doesn't work properly or when impulses are blocked somewhere in the conduction system.

An arrhythmia occurs when:

• The heart's natural pacemaker develops an abnormal rate or rhythm.
• The normal conduction pathway is interrupted.
• Another part of the heart takes over as pacemaker.

#Heart and you

TAKE A CHILL PILL 
Stressful situations are accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure, which increase the demand for oxygen. This additional demand may lead to chest pain. Our nervous system releases hormones that raise blood pressure which can damage the lining of our arteries. So stay positive and find ways to manage stress. 
LOW FAT, CARB 
Eat a well-balanced diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It is important to keep note of the total saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, fat and sodium in your everyday menu. And follow these tips — eat fruits without peeling. Have grilled, baked or roasted fish and chicken, not fried. Steam vegetables before seasoning to reduce fat intake. Limit oil to two to three teaspoons per day. Eat 30 gm raw garlic daily. 

CHECK YOUR WEIGHT 
Extra weight raises cholesterol level, blood pressure and increases the risk of coronary artery disease. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute defines being overweight as having a BMI (Body Mass Index ) of over 25. Those with BMI over 30 are considered obese. 
KICK THE BUTT 
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease. It causes rise in blood pressure and leads to the build-up of fatty plaque in the arteries. This accelerates the formation of blood clots which causes a heart attack. 
CHECK FOR DIABETES 
If you are diabetic, then you are three times more likely to suffer from a coronary heart disease. Control of blood sugar levels will keep your heart safe. 
GET MOVING 
Exercise burns calories, helps control cholesterol and keeps diabetes away. It also lowers blood pressure and makes the arteries more flexible. Those who actively burn about 3,500 calories a week, either at work or through exercise, live longer than those who don't. 
CONTROL ALCOHOL 
Excessive alcohol can trigger high blood pressure, strokes and can cause irregular heart beat. 
KNOW YOUR ROOTS 
If your family has a history of heart disease, precaution is a must. Risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, obesity are passed from one generation to another. 
KNOW YOUR BP 
Keep a track of your blood pressure and immediately consult your physician in case of heaviness in the chest, severe headache or uncommon bouts of anger. Blood pressure can vary with activity and age, but a healthy adult at rest generally has a systolic pressure reading between 120 and 130 and a diastolic pressure reading between 80 and 90 (or below). TNN

Benefits of RED WINE

Prevents tooth decay

For a perfect set of pearly whites, you should drink red wine. It hardens your enamel which in turn prevents tooth decay and the growth of bacteria. Polyphenols, something which is found in red wine, can reduce gum inflammation and prevent gum diseases. 

For your forty winks

Is that presentation at work giving you a sleepless night? Then ditch milk and drink up some red wine. Red wine contains melatonin which can help you sleep peacefully. Remember, you should drink it just once in a while. If you are facing sleeplessness regularly, you must consult a doctor. 

To protect your heart

Resveratrol is one of the most powerful antioxidant compounds which can help reduce the saturated fat accumulated in the arteries. Red wine also contains flavonoids and saponins which protect you against cardiovascular diseases. But this does not mean you go on a drinking spree. Red wine, when drunk in moderation, works best and also raises your HDL cholesterol, which in simple terms is ‘good cholesterol’.  

To breathe easy

Don’t you just hate it when you are down with cold and you can’t breathe easy because of a blocked nose? Well, if you drank red wine regularly, you wouldn’t have to face this problem. A report in American Journal of Epidemiology claims that those who drank red wine had forty four percent fewer colds than those who did not. 

For beautiful, healthy skin

Red wine also contains antioxidants which are essential for our body. They can slow aging as well as help you reduce your fine lines and wrinkles. They can also help prevent type 2 diabetes and also keep your bones strong.

To prevent cancer
Consumption of red wine in moderation can greatly lower the risk of breast cancer in women. Red wine also contains guercetin which prevents lung cancer. Besides this, resveratrol in addition to preventing heart disease can also prevent the growth of cancerous cells.

For a long, happy life

Scientists believe that red wine can elongate your life span to a certain extent. It also protects you from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. So drink up this glass of red elixir once in a while and enjoy its health benefits.

A word of caution

These are the benefits of red wine but here is a word of caution. You should drink red wine in moderation; about 150 ml of red wine is an ideal serving. It should be consumed by healthy people only. If you are suffering from any disease, you must consult a doctor before you start consuming red wine.