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Introduction
An arrhythmia is a condition in which the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly.
In many cases, the arrhythmia may not be serious or require any treatment at all. However, if your doctor finds that the arrhythmia could lead to more serious heart problems, they may prescribe medication.
Several types of medication can help control or resolve an arrhythmia. The type that’s right for you depends on the kind of arrhythmia you have.
Here’s what to know about drugs that treat arrhythmia.
Antiarrhythmic drugs may be prescribed if you have tachycardia (fast heart rate) or premature or extra heartbeats. These medications work to correct the rhythm of your heart. They restore a normal heart rhythm by changing the electrical current that makes your heart beat.
Most antiarrhythmic drugs come in pill form and are typically used long-term. In emergencies, some can be given intravenously. The most common medications in this class are:
- amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
- flecainide (Tambocor)
- ibutilide (Corvert), which can only be given through IV
- lidocaine (Xylocaine), which can only be given through IV
- procainamide (Procan, Procanbid)
- propafenone (Rythmol)
- quinidine (many brand names)
- tocainide (Tonocarid)
While these medications can help correct an arrhythmia, there’s also a risk that they can cause the arrhythmia to occur again or more often. This is called a proarrhythmia. If you develop a proarrhythmia while taking an antiarrhythmic drug, call your doctor right away.
If you have angina (chest pain), high or low blood pressure, and an arrhythmia, your doctor may prescribe a calcium channel blocker. These drugs dilate your blood vessels. This allows more blood to flow to the heart, which helps ease chest pain and decrease blood pressure.
These drugs can also slow your heart rate. A reduced heart rate and lowered blood pressure reduce the strain on your heart and reduce your risk of an arrhythmia.
Most calcium channel blockers come in pill form, but some are also available in intravenous (IV) form. Calcium channel blockers are for long-term use.
Examples of common calcium channel blockers include:
The side effects of these medications vary. Some people have tachycardia, dizziness, constipation, and headaches. Other people more serious side effects include rash or swelling in the legs and feet.
If you’ve been diagnosed with tachycardia, your doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker.
Beta-blockers stop the action of the hormone adrenaline. This can relieve your tachycardia by slowing your heart rate. It can also lower your blood pressure and decrease the stress on your heart. Examples of beta blockers include:
The side effects of beta-blockers include tiredness, cold hands, and headache. Sometimes these medications affect your digestive system as well. Some people report stomach issues, constipation, or diarrhea.
An anticoagulant is a blood-thinning medication. Your doctor may prescribe an anticoagulant if your arrhythmia puts you at risk of clots or stroke caused by a clot.
For some people, an abnormal heart rhythm changes how the blood flows through their system. For instance, atrial fibrillation may cause blood to pool in the heart, which may result in blood clots.
Anticoagulants don’t fix your heart rhythm problem. They only help reduce the risk of blood clots caused by certain arrhythmias.
Warfarin (Coumadin) is one of the most common anticoagulants. However, non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are now recommended over warfarin unless you have moderate to severe mitral stenosis or an artificial heart valve. NOACs include:
- dabigatran (Pradaxa)
- rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
- apixaban (Eliquis)
- edoxaban (Savaysa)
Anticoagulants are effective, but they can also make your body less able to stop bleeding. For this reason, you should watch for any signs of internal bleeding, such as bloody stool, multiple bruises, and vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Your doctor may prescribe aspirin instead of warfarin if they find that you have a lower risk of a blood clot. Aspirin is not as powerful of a blood thinner as warfarin is. However, it has a lower risk of causing bleeding.
Your heart is a very important organ. To stay safe while taking your medications, try these tips:
- work with your doctor to understand the medications they prescribed for you
- take your medications only as directed
- tell your doctor about all other medical conditions you have and medications you take
- call your doctor right away if you notice anything abnormal or if you have serious side effects
Arrhythmia is an irregularity in either the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. The heart may beat too fast, too slow or inconsistently. Treatment for arrhythmia can take on many different forms, depending on the type and severity of the irregular heartbeat and what’s causing it.
Medication treatments for arrhythmia are called chemical cardioversion. The patient receives antiarrhythmic medicine orally or intravenously.
Ablation treatments for arrhythmia can be done for different reasons. In atrial fibrillation ablation, small scars are intentionally created to break up the electrical signals that cause the irregular heartbeats in a condition known as atrial fibrillation. During catheter ablation, small areas of tissue that may be causing the arrhythmia are destroyed.
Electric shock treatment for arrhythmia is called electrical cardioversion. This is a planned treatment that delivers a high-energy shock to reset a normal heartbeat rhythm. The electric shock used in electrical cardioversion is not as strong as the one used in defibrillation.
Implantable arrhythmia treatments involve surgical implantation of devices that monitor, synchronize, and/or reset the heart rhythm. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) uses a pacemaker to restore normal heartbeat timing. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) treatment helps regulate the heartbeat and will send a “shock,” or defibrillation, to reset the rhythm and prevent cardiac arrest. If a patient’s health care team hasn’t determined the cause of the arrhythmia, they may implant a device called a loop recorder, which continuously tracks the heart’s electrical signals to help with diagnosis.
Heart palpitations can cause the sensation of a pounding heart or a racing pulse. They can also present as a fluttering in the chest or the feeling of the heart skipping a beat. Although some home remedies can help stop palpitations, medical attention may be necessary for frequent or severe symptoms.
Heart palpitations may occur as a result of certain lifestyle factors. Less commonly, an underlying medical condition is responsible.
Addressing the lifestyle factor or treating the underlying condition may be effective in stopping heart palpitations.
Keep reading to learn more about heart palpitations, including how to relieve them and when to speak with a doctor.
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Certain at-home techniques may help ease heart palpitations. A person can try the strategies below.
Stress can have many negative effects on a person’s health. It can induce palpitations or make them worse.
Some people may find the following relaxation techniques helpful:
Heart palpitations may become noticeable after using a stimulant.
Stimulants are present in the following:
- tobacco products
- certain illegal drugs
- some cold and cough medications
- caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soda
- appetite suppressants
- some mental health medications
However, not all stimulants will cause palpitations in everyone.
The vagus nerve connects the brain to the heart, and stimulating it can calm palpitations. An individual can stimulate the vague nerve by:
- holding the breath and pushing down, as though having a bowel movement
- placing ice or a cold, damp towel on the face for a few seconds
- splashing cold water on the face
- chanting “Om“
- taking a cold shower
- massaging the neck
Before trying any of these methods, it is advisable to consult a doctor, who can advise on the most suitable techniques for a person.
Electrolytes are electrically charged molecules that are present throughout the body and help with multiple functions. For instance, they play a significant role in regulating the heart rate.
An individual can boost the number of electrolytes in their body by eating foods rich in:
- sodium
- potassium
- calcium
- magnesium
A well-balanced diet usually provides sufficient sodium.
The following foods have a high potassium content:
- potato
- banana
- avocado
- spinach
Dairy products and dark, leafy greens are rich in calcium. Vegetables, nuts, and fish also contain magnesium.
Some people may wish to attain these nutrients by taking supplements. An individual should consult a doctor before trying any supplements, particularly if they are also taking prescription medication.
When the body becomes dehydrated, the heart has to work harder to circulate blood, which can cause heart palpitations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that the recommended amount of water to drink throughout the day will vary among individuals, depending on age, sex, and pregnancy status.
The symptoms of dehydration include:
- dark urine
- increased heart rate
- dry mouth
- thirst
- headaches
- dizziness
- dry skin
A person should consider drinking a full glass of water if they notice any of these symptoms.
Alcohol is a depressant, so it does not typically raise the heart rate.
Although drinking in moderation is not necessarily problematic, some research indicates that even having 1.2 alcoholic drinks per day can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Heart palpitations are just one symptom of this condition.
Exercise can improve overall cardiovascular health and help restore the heart’s natural rhythm. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety.
Cardiovascular exercise helps strengthen the heart, which can prevent or reduce palpitations.
Beneficial forms of exercise include:
- brisk walking
- jogging
- running
- biking
- swimming
However, exercise may trigger palpitations in some people, and it is important to identify and avoid potentially problematic types of exercise.
Anyone who plans to begin a new exercise regimen should discuss their plans with a doctor first.
The treatment for heart palpitations will depend on the cause. If there is no underlying medical condition, a doctor may seek to reassure an individual that the palpitations are not harmful.
If premature ventricular contractions cause frequent palpitations — meaning those that occur more than 10,000 times in 24 hours or account for more than 10% of all heartbeats — a doctor may recommend treatment. They may prescribe medications called beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers.
If medications do not stop frequent palpitations, a doctor may suggest catheter ablation. This involves inserting a thin tube through a blood vessel to the heart.
Other possible treatments include:
- surgery
- a pacemaker
- changing medications that may be causing palpitations
A person should consult a doctor if they are experiencing heart palpitations that tend to last longer than a few seconds.
The doctor can determine whether an underlying condition is causing the palpitations.
Examples of these conditions include:
Also, a person who has had a heart attack may be more likely to develop palpitations.
Other possible causes of heart palpitations include:
- exercise
- stress
- dehydration
- illness
- certain medications
- illegal drug use
- pregnancy
- caffeine
- tobacco use
- excessive alcohol intake
A doctor will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination as part of the diagnostic process.
They may ask questions about:
- how old the person was when symptoms began
- what the person’s symptoms are
- when the symptoms occur
- if the symptoms begin slowly or suddenly
- how long the symptoms last
- what relieves the symptoms
- if there are other symptoms, such as fainting, pain, or lightheadedness
- family health history
- social and dietary habits, including caffeine and alcohol consumption, exercise, sleep, and drug and medication use
They will also check the person’s vital signs, including blood pressure and pulse rate, and listen to their heart through a stethoscope.
If heart palpitations are not occurring at the time of the examination, the doctor may ask the individual to tap out the rhythm of the palpitations that they usually experience.
If necessary, the doctor may order blood tests to examine electrolyte, hormone, or thyroid levels. They may also use imaging studies to look at the structure or function of the heart.
One of the goals of diagnosis is to identify people at risk of arrhythmia. These individuals include those with:
- underlying heart disease
- dysfunction from a previous heart attack
- idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, which is a condition in which the heart wall thins and weakens, and the inside chamber enlarges
- clinically significant valvular regurgitation, which is a type of heart valve disease
Heart palpitations are common, and they often last for a few seconds.
Certain lifestyle modifications can help stop palpitations and reduce their occurrence.
A person should speak with a doctor if the sensation lasts longer than a few seconds or if other symptoms accompany the palpitations. In these cases, the person may have an underlying condition that requires treatment.
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