Q. What are the causes of heart arrhythmia?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Heart arrhythmia, also known as an irregular heartbeat, can be caused by a number of factors. The most common causes are:
Coronary artery disease: Damage to the coronary arteries due to high cholesterol and/or plaque buildup can cause an irregular heartbeat. This is because when blood isn't able to flow freely through the arteries it affects the heart's ability to contract normally, resulting in arrhythmia.
Valvular Heart Disease: Diseases of the heart valves such as mitral valve regurgitation or stenosis can lead to abnormal heart rhythms and palpitations because they affect how quickly or slowly blood flows through your heart chambers which affects your regular rhythm.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Too much pressure on your arterial walls from having consistently high blood pressure over time can damage them, resulting in an irregular heartbeat as well as chest pain and shortness of breath .
Medications & Other Drugs: Certain drugs like beta blockers or antiarrhythmic medications used for controlling hypertension can sometimes cause arrhythmias instead; illegal drugs such as cocaine may also trigger them if taken regularly over a long period of time.. Furthermore, some herbal supplements have been known to alter electrical signals in your heart leading to irregularities in rhythm too!
Caffeine & Alcohol Intake: Excessive consumption of caffeine-containing beverages including coffee, tea and energy drinks has been linked with abnormal electrical activity in the brain that results in cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). Similarly, heavy drinking has also been associated with increased risk for developing AFib leading it being one of the most commonly seen forms of this condition amongst alcoholics..
Thyroid Issues: An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) may result from inadequate production levels or decreased absorption by body tissues; this consequently leads to slower metabolism rate which disrupts normal functioning within all organs including the heart leading potentially life threatening conditions like cardiac arrest if left untreated..
Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy & Menopause : Another factor influencing development of several kinds types pulsing issues during pregnancy is failure maintained electrolytes balance between mother’s body along with her baby thus directly impacting mother’s critical pre-existing health status . Additionally , woman’s hormone balance becomes altered due menopausal age putting her particularly vulnerable state at higher risk example exposed instability , reduced potassium levels tachycardia etc sources uncover information regarding technology managing situation deal instead periodic medical examinations helping detect presence any symptoms further worsening process