Causes of Cardiac Arrhythmia: Understanding to Protect Cardiovascular

Heart Structure and Heartbeat

To understand the causes leading to cardiac arrhythmia, we must first understand how the heart works. The heart is a vital organ in the circulatory system, tasked with pumping blood throughout the body. The heart has four main chambers. The two upper atrial chambers (left and right) receive blood from the body and lungs. The two lower ventricular chambers (left and right) pump blood out of the heart.

The heart has an electrical system (electrical impulses) that helps regulate a natural and rhythmic beat. This electrical system is created by the sinus node. Located in the right atrium, the sinus node is a natural "biological power plant," generating the electrical impulse that causes the heart to contract to begin each heartbeat. Next, this impulse travels to the atrioventricular node (AV node), which acts to receive the impulse from the sinus node and slow it down slightly before transmitting it to the ventricles (allowing the ventricular chambers to fill with blood), causing the ventricles to contract and pump blood to the lungs and the entire body; the atrioventricular node helps the atria and ventricles contract synchronously.

The heart has the ability to adjust blood flow based on the body's needs. When you are active, the heart will pump more blood to the muscles and tissues. For a healthy person, the normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Common Main Causes of Cardiac Arrhythmia

Any factor affecting the heart's automaticity or conductivity can cause cardiac arrhythmia. Below are the main causes of this condition.

Cardiovascular Diseases

One of the leading causes of cardiac arrhythmia is cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, or myocarditis. These conditions can reduce the heart's ability to function normally, leading to unstable heart rhythms. Additionally, congenital heart disease is also a cause leading to cardiac arrhythmia.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Electrolyte balance in the body plays an important role in maintaining a stable heart rate. Electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium need to be balanced. A deficiency or excess of one of these substances can affect automaticity and conductivity, causing cardiac arrhythmia.

Side Effects of Medications

Many types of medications, especially antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and anti-arrhythmic drugs, can cause cardiac arrhythmia as a side effect.

Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can cause many health problems, including cardiac arrhythmia. Stress hormones like adrenaline can increase the heart rate, leading to feelings of palpitations and anxiety.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

An improper diet, lack of physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking can all negatively impact cardiovascular health, leading to cardiac arrhythmia. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce this risk.

Other Diseases

Besides the causes above, some other medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, and chronic lung disease can also contribute to the development of cardiac arrhythmia.

Cellular Aging The aging of conduction cells and heart muscle cells is an unavoidable part of the aging process, appearing in the elderly. The aging of cells in the heart's conduction system and heart muscle cells can affect automaticity and conductivity, causing cardiac arrhythmia.

Cardiac arrhythmia is a condition that should not be taken lightly; there are many cases that may be harmless, but cardiac arrhythmia can also lead to many dangerous complications such as: sudden cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, etc. Understanding the causes will help you be more proactive in caring for your own cardiovascular health. If you encounter symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, palpitations, or shortness of breath, see a doctor for advice and timely treatment.