Arrhythmia 101

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treating arrhythmia

How do you determine what’s causing your heart to misfire? First describe symptoms to your doctor. Most likely, you’ll need a few tests. An electrocardiogram, where electrodes are attached to the chest, reveals the heart’s rhythm. So does a Holter, a mobile ECG connected to a portable recorder that you wear for up to two days. You also can wear a recorder for up to a month and send reports over the phone. An echocardiogram reveals valve problems with the help of an ultrasound image.

To control your heart’s crazed conductor, avoid caffeinated beverages. If your doctor grants permission, exercise regularly.

Your doctor may prescribe beta-blockers, such as Inderal or Tenormin, to regulate heartbeats and lower blood pressure. “These are safe to use even in patients with structural heart problems,’’ says Anne H. Dougherty, M.D., director of cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Texas. “They also reduce palpitations in people with no heart disease,’’ she says. Blood-thinners such as Coumadin or aspirin may cut the risk of clots.

If your heart beats too slowly, a 1- to 2-ounce pacemaker can be placed in your body to send electricity to speed up your heart. A defibrillator may be implanted beneath your collarbone to shock the heart to do the reverse. Your doctor may recommend surgery called ablation, in which radiofrequency waves are used to make small burns in the heart wall to interrupt circuits and restore a normal rhythm.

Krakower’s heart is back on track, thanks to beta-blockers and avoiding triggers. “If anything,’’ she says, ’’it has encouraged me to pay attention to my body, stay in the gym, and get regular checkups.” As for her love affair with coffee, “Moderation,” she says. “Life is heart-pounding enough.”