Supraventricular extrasystole
Supraventricular extrasystole is a variant of heart rhythm disturbance, which manifests itself in the occurrence of cardiac impulses outside the conducting system of the heart, namely in the atria or in the atrioventricular junction. It is possible to detect supraventricular extrasystole both in people with cardiopathologies and in absolutely healthy people.
This type of heart rhythm disorders manifests itself in the fact that periodically a person experiences interruptions in the work of the heart, sometimes there is a feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath. Although in some cases people do not even suspect that they have a supraventricular extrasystole and learn about this problem after a planned ECG.
Content:
- Symptoms of supraventricular extrasystole
- Causes of supraventricular extrasystole
- Treatment of supraventricular extrasystole
Symptoms of supraventricular extrasystole
Symptoms of supraventricular extrasystole can vary depending on the presence of cardiopathology.
Sometimes cardiac arrhythmias are completely asymptomatic, and sometimes the patient may present with the following complaints:
- A periodically arising feeling of interruptions in the work of the heart, although normally a person should not feel his own heartbeat. Sometimes people say that they have a feeling that the heart is "turning" inside. This is due to the fact that after an episode of extrasystole occurs, it is followed by a compensatory cardiac impulse. It is him who perceives him as a coup.
- The appearance of hot flashes, sweating is possible.
- Sometimes severe weakness and dizziness may occur.
- From time to time, patients experience shortness of breath and a feeling that they do not have enough air. In parallel, a person has a feeling of panic fear of his own death.
The severity of symptoms depends on the presence of organic heart disease.
Causes of supraventricular extrasystole
The causes of supraventricular extrasystole are divided into 7 large groups, including:
-
Extrasystoles of cardiac etiology. This group includes supraventricular extrasystoles, which are caused by one or another heart disease:
- Coronary heart disease.
- Postponed myocardial infarction.
- Chronic heart failure.
- Cardiomyopathy.
- Congenital and acquired heart defects.
- Inflammatory processes in the heart muscle (myocarditis).
It is heart disease that is the most common cause that leads to the development of heart rhythm disturbances.
- Extrasystoles due to taking medications. In this regard, drugs such as diuretics and cardiac glycosides are dangerous.
- Violation of the ratio of electrolytes in the body.
- Extrasystoles resulting from external factors. This group includes heart rhythm disturbances caused by the abuse of alcoholic beverages, smoking, taking drugs, excessive enthusiasm for caffeine-containing liquids, spicy food.
- Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system.
- Hormonal disorders in the body caused by a malfunction of the endocrine glands, adrenal glands. Supraventricular extrasystole can be caused by diabetes mellitus.
- Separately, supraventricular extrasystole of unexplained etiology is distinguished. In this case, rhythm disturbances arise due to reasons that cannot be established.
The main method that allows you to diagnose supraventricular extrasystole is ECG.
Treatment of supraventricular extrasystole
Treatment of supraventricular extrasystole depends on whether the person has symptoms of heart rhythm disturbances that he feels, and also whether he has other heart diseases.
In the case when there are no cardiopathologies, and heart rhythm disturbances are asymptomatic, doctors limit themselves to standard recommendations.
They include:
- Limiting the use of spicy foods and drinks with caffeine. Also, do not get too carried away with strong tea.
- Leading a healthy lifestyle with moderate physical activity.
- Quitting smoking, using drugs and alcoholic beverages.
The main danger of supraventricular extrasystole is that it can provoke atrial flutter. This, in turn, can cause stroke, heart attack, vascular occlusion and other cardiovascular disasters. Therefore, even if the doctor has not prescribed any medications, the recommendations given to him should be adhered to.
In the event that extrasystole is caused by any disease, then all efforts should be directed to its treatment, since it will not be possible to eliminate heart rhythm disturbances without this. Often such patients are put under control by a neurologist. They are prescribed sedatives, for example, Relanium and Rudotel. In some cases, these drugs are replaced with sedative herbal preparations (lemon balm, motherwort, peony tincture). At the same time, it is important to establish that heart rhythm disturbances are not provoked by taking medications.
In the case when extrasystoles cause symptoms that a person independently feels, and the number of extrasystoles per day exceeds 200 episodes, then the patient is recommended to take antiarrhythmic drugs. There are 4 classes of them. The choice of a specific drug depends on the patient's condition, on his history and complaints. It is important to carry out Holter ECG monitoring before prescribing this or that drug.
It is possible to use the following drugs for the treatment of supraventricular extrasystole:
- Sotalol.
- Quinidine.
- Lidocaine.
- Novocainamide.
- Cordaron.
- Mexilen, etc.
If after 2 months from the start of therapy, extrasystoles were eliminated and are not determined by ECG, then it is possible to reduce the dose of the selected drug with its subsequent cancellation. In some cases, longer treatment is required. If extrasystole has a malignant form, in which the risk of developing life-threatening conditions increases, then continuous medication is indicated. Radiofrequency ablation for supraventricular extrasystole is not prescribed.
The course of supraventricular extrasystole without damage to the heart muscle is usually favorable.
The author of the article: Molchanov Sergey Nikolaevich | Cardiologist
Education: Diploma in "Cardiology" received at the PMGMU. I. M. Sechenov (2015). Here I completed my postgraduate studies and received a diploma "Cardiologist".
