Arrhythmia

Heart failure may convey that the heart isn’t working anymore, but what it really means is that the heart isn’t pumping as well as it should be (REF). Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood through to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen (REF). At first, the heart tries to make up for this by enlarging, developing more muscle mass, and pumping faster. As this happens, the blood vessels narrow to keep blood pressure up and the body diverts blood away from less important tissues and organs to maintain flow to the heart and brain (REF). Eventually, the body and heart cannot keep up and the patient begins to feel fatigue, breathing problems, weight gain with swelling in the feet, legs, ankles or stomach, and other symptoms that eventually leads to a hospital visit. The body’s coping mechanisms give us better understanding on why many are unaware of their condition until years after the heart declines (REF).

Heart failure is a syndrome where the heart lacks the ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body for a prolonged period. It often co-exists with other diseases or related illnesses that causes damage to the heart, such as atrial

Most physicians and people who acquired the problem usually know it as A-FIB, a shorter term for atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation deals with the cardiovascular system, in particular, the heart in the body. It is defined as, “the electrical signals that control this system are off-kilter. Instead of working together the atria do their own thing, causing fast fluttering heartbeat, also known as arrhythmia” (WEBMD). In a normal pumping blood of the heart the atria would squeeze first, followed by the ventricles of the heart. A-fib can be a serious issue if not treated, due to the inadequate pumping of the blood, causing a higher chance of heart failure. It is also a higher chance in getting a stroke, because improper flow of the blood can cause clots in the

At this point, we do not know exactly what are the settings, we have previous requested pacemaker operative report from Regions. Unfortunately, from what he is telling today, his date of the birth was not correct as such dose report were not same. He noted that he thinks he came back from the hospital, he has not had similar complaint or concern or report of chest pain. It should be noted that hospital records, with a troponin that was negative, 12-lead EKG was similar to the one that was obtained here, essentially identifying sinus bradycardia with first-degree AV block, left ventricular hypertrophy with repolarization abnormality. QT was prolonged, similar EKG obtained at facility also identified pretty much the same abnormality pattern. Troponin was negative. Other workup included chest x-ray in the hospital were all unremarkable. Today he is not reporting any chest pain, no shortness of breath, no nausea or emesis. He has got healed ____ scar to the left chest from pacemaker implantation which is completely healed but slightly

If the heart beats too fast, too slow or irregularly, it may not be able to pump enough blood to all of the body.

Heart Smart is a voluntary non for profit organization that is working to bring awareness towards congestive heart failure also known as CHF or heart failure. CHF is a chronic condition in which the heart does not pump blood as well as it should. Heart failure can occur if the heart cannot pump (systolic) or fill (diastolic) adequately. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen legs, and rapid heartbeat. Treatments can include eating less salt, limiting fluid intake, and taking prescription medications. In some cases a defibrillator or pacemaker may be implanted. Heart Smarts mission is prevention of this disease through increasing knowledge and reducing the number of incidence our county residents face through networking, education

Since our clinical experience was in the simulation lab, I do not have any background information about my patient. My first time having experience with a bradycardic patient was actually last week during clinicals. He had a heart rate that was consistently in the 40s and he had a pacemaker inserted that day. Risk factors of bradycardia that are modifiable lifestyle changes include smoking, using recreational drugs, alcohol use, high blood pressure and stress. A few complications of untreated bradycardia include inability to pump enough blood throughout the body, frequent fainting spells or even cardiac arrest.

Today millions of Americans live or have lived with Atrial fibrillation. The main concern with this health issue is that many people who lived with it sometimes are not aware of it. Atrial fibrillation is defined by Mayo Clinic (2012) as “an irregular and often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow to the body”. It occurs when the four chambers of the heart have a disrupted rhythm. The abnormal functionality of health may lead to a stroke because of the possible blood clot that will be formed. The Atrial fibrillation or Afib put the body in a situation without oxygen and nutrients because the body is not well supplied by a heart that is became weak. In general, only few people will feel change in their heartbeat. They may verbalize

Bradycardia is a sign of issues in the heart’s electrical system. In addition, bradycardia is when the sinus node (natural pacemaker) stops functioning properly or the electrical pathways of the heart are disrupted (such as the arteries and veins). A life-threatening form of bradycardia is quite severe and serious; the heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s essential needs.

Particularly heart beat irregularities (atrial fibrillation), disease of the heart valves, congestive heart failure or recent heart attack.

An arrhythmia is a problem associated with the electrical activity of the heart resulting in a heartrate that can be too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia). Arrhythmias are generally categorized as ventricular or supraventricular.1 Ventricular arrhythmias are a condition in which extra heartbeats originate from the lower chambers of the heart and can be classified as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or premature ventricular contractions. Supraventricular arrhythmias originate in the upper chambers of the heart and can be less serious than ventricular arrhythmias. Both types of arrhythmia can cause shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, or syncope. The National Institute

An dysrhythmia of the heart is an irregular heartbeat rhythm. Ventricular tachycardia is an dysrhythmia in which the lower chambers of the heart, the ventricles, beat unusually fast.

If some of the heart muscle cells die, then the others will have to work harder to try to pumps blood to the whole body. Heart tissue cell can die if they don’t receive enough oxygen or nutrients from the blood. Sometimes, your blood can get too thick. This is called high blood pressure. When the heart fights high blood pressure, it is (metaphorically) lifting weights. This will only make the heart get thicker and stronger. At first, this can help the heart. But over time, this will only lead to bad things such as Death of the heart muscle. Another malfunction is a heart attack. A heart attack is when when blood can’t get to a certain area of the heart from blockage, so they cells there may die. In the cells “don't beat in unison, heart arrhythmia can occur” (James A. Sullivan). Arrhythmia is when the heart muscle cells don’t all beat at once. A pacemaker could help with this. A pacemaker tells your heart when to

The initial model of the pacemaker monitored as well as controlled the patient’s heartbeat. A pacemaker consists of electrodes, battery and a computerized generator. The main purpose of the pacemaker is to stabilize your heart rhythm. If there’s a change in the rhythm of your heartbeat and it is inconsistent with the normal values then the computerized generator receives a stimulus, which in turn produces electrical signals. These electrical signals are further transmitted to the heart through electrical wires whereby they help maintain a normal heart rhythm.

Bradycardia: Slowness of the heartbeat, so that the pulse rate is less than 60 beats per minute or less.