Heart and Cardio-vascular

Everything you need to know about irregular heartbeats. By Dr Shital Raval What is an arrhythmia? An arrhythmia is a disturbance of the usual electrical rhythm of the heart. It can occur regularly or just occasionally. Arrhythmias are disorders of the heart’s electrical system, which means there is a change in the regular beat. This can be as a result of the conduction pathway being damaged or blocked, or because an extra pathway is present. The heart may beat too quickly (tachycardia), or too…

Some lifestyle changes may prevent arrhythmia: Eat a low-fat, well balanced diet. Exercise on a regular basis. Quit smoking and tobacco use. Avoid or reduce caffeine and alcohol intake. Avoid using any illicit drugs. Reduce anxiety and stress to reduce the intensity or frequency of palpitations. Deep breathing, yoga and meditation relax your body. Check the ingredients in herbal medicines and supplements you are taking if they contain caffeine or substances that can induce palpitations.

What diagnostic tests are conducted to detect an arrhythmia? Your doctor may ask for the following tests: Full blood count (FBC) Electrocardiogram (ECG) – this records the electrical activity of your heart to see how well it’s working 24-hour heart monitor (ambulatory ECG) – this records the electrical activity of your heart over 24 hours or longer Exercise ECG – this can check for other problems with your heart and may trigger abnormal heart rhythms Echocardiogram – this uses ultrasound (…

Arrhythmias can be further classified based on their rhythm or speed - Tachycardia is when the heart rate is above 100 beats per minute. Bradycardia is when the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute. Depending on the place of origin, arrhythmias can be classified as “Atrial, Junctional or Ventricular”.  Some of the more common abnormal heart rhythms are: Atrial fibrillation (AF) - the most common type of serious arrhythmia, it causes fast and irregular contraction…

Symptoms depend on the type and severity of the arrhythmia. Frequency of occurrence varies from daily to once or twice a year. With some types of arrhythmia you may not get any symptoms, but symptoms may include: Palpitations Dizziness Fainting or collapsing Breathlessness Chest pain Tiredness

That’s how Rahul, 49, describes his journey. A journey from an athletic teenager to some one who is now a cardiovascular patient with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. All because he did not make his health a priority. “It’s changed my family’s life and landed me in a situation I would not wish on anyone.” I survived a heart attack two years ago. How did I get here? I was an athletic teenager. At the age of 20, I did a 200km trek and was regularly running half marathons. But today…

Managing high blood pressure is an important aspect of health management since it can lead to many issues - kidney disease, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, etc. We address questions on - What to eat? How much salt is ok? Is it ok to drink? What does Vitamin D have to do with it? And more. 1. What is considered high blood pressure? A reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure. If your blood…

By Poshan Cure Thru Diet This healthy and filling soup is rich in antioxidants, protein, fibre and potassium. It is a meal in itself. But patients on dialysis or those with heart and kidney problems with high level of potassium need to check with the dietitian before eating this. Ingredients: (Serves 2 – 3) 1 tbsp olive 0il  I cup pasta (optional) 2 bay leaves  1/2 cabbage  ¼ bunch celery                    …

Varicose veins affects more than 1 in 5 persons. Dr Shital Raval explains what varicose veins are, the causes and risk factors, the tests for diagnosis, the treatment and self management for varicose veins.  What are varicose veins? The venous system of the leg consists of 3 types of veins: 1. Superficial: long and short saphenous veins. These are principal veins near the surface of the legs. 2. Deep: veins that supply the muscles of the leg 3. Perforators: veins that connect the deep…

During the fasting month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world fast for more than 15 hours a day. Here, 6 possible side effects and how to counter them. It is best to have a check-up before you start fasting for Ramadan. This is particularly important if you have any chronic conditions, like diabetes or migraine. Do remember that the Qur’an exempts the sick from fasting. If your doctor advises against your fasting, speak to your Imam about your situation. Even if you are…