Heart rhythm disorder due to stress

introduction

Stress can trigger or worsen a number of diseases. People who are sensitive to stress can get arrhythmias from stress. This can lead to symptoms such as the perception of an irregular heartbeat (stumbling of the heart, extrasystoles), fainting attacks and sudden cardiac death. A cardiac arrhythmia is any heart rate that deviates from the normal heart rhythm. A distinction is made between a slowed heart rhythm (bradycardia) with less than 60 heartbeats per minute and an increased heart rhythm (tachycardia) with more than 100 heartbeats per minute. Additional heartbeats (extrasystoles) or beats can also occur.

The human body reacts to stress with an alarm reaction. Increased levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released. If the sufferer can deal with the stress response, they can deal with the problem quickly and adequately. If, on the other hand, the stress persists over a longer period of time or if the person concerned is overwhelmed by the situation, functional organ disorders can occur, possibly also cardiac arrhythmias. A racing heart caused by stress is less dangerous.

Symptoms

By pouring out Stress hormones the body is prepared for flight, the pulse (Heart rate) increases and the heart pumps more blood in less time. The person concerned notices the increased pulse, one is more attentive, the skin heats up. If the stress also leads to cardiac arrhythmias, those affected often notice Palpitations, for example, the heart suddenly skips. This feeling usually only lasts for a short moment, as the heart rhythm regulates itself again very quickly. If there is a lot of stress, however, these dropouts can also come together, caused by the person concerned irregular pulse is perceived. In a stressful situation, the beating of the heart is usually very clearly perceived in the chest or neck area. Additionally there may be symptoms like dizziness, Chest pain, Sweats, and fear come. Some people perceive the cardiac arrhythmias caused by stress as a kind of heartache or report a "vibration" in the heart area.

causes

It is important that in the case of cardiac arrhythmias that are triggered by stress, the causes are precisely clarified. An organic cause for the complaints must be treated immediately and adequately, since there may be a life-threatening heart disease behind the complaints. In many cases, cardiac arrhythmias caused by stress are harmless and temporary, but the symptoms should be taken seriously and clarified by a doctor.

The reasons why stress can lead to cardiac arrhythmias lies in the complex mechanism of cardiac activity. The regular heartbeat is regulated by electrical signals that are controlled by a complex interplay of certain nerve signals. In the cell walls of the heart muscle cells there are so-called ion channels through which electrically effective ions are passed. In order to achieve a regular heart rhythm, these channels have to open and close again at certain times. This interaction must work perfectly. If, on the other hand, one of the ion channels is disturbed, the heart gets out of step. People with certain congenital defects in some of the ion channels are prone to cardiac arrhythmias. Under normal circumstances, these people will have ion channels functioning and the heart will function normally. However, stress can trigger an arrhythmia in these people. Why stress, of all things, makes the innate defect of the ion channels effective is still part of the scientific discussion. It is possible that the defective ion channels react differently to the stress hormone cortisol than healthy channels.

Psychological stress

A known cause for the development of extrasystoles is increased activity of the so-called vegetative nervous system. Psychological stress ensures the arousal of the sympathetic nervous system as part of the autonomic nervous system. The release of the stress hormone cortisol has an impact on the heart rhythm.

While cortisol is normally thought to speed up the heart, it can also be responsible for developing extrasystoles in susceptible patients. This means that only a very small proportion of humanity reacts to severe psychological stress with extrasystoles.

diagnosis

A cardiac arrhythmia can generally be from a changed pulse rate detect. The pulse measurement can be used to distinguish whether the heart is beating too slowly, too quickly or irregularly. In order to find out whether stress is the trigger for the cardiac arrhythmia, a detailed survey is first carried out Medical history carried out by the person concerned (anamnesis). In particular, medication taken (e.g. Thyroid hormones) and known heart diseases as well as an assessment of the stress level are important. If a cardiac arrhythmia caused by stress is suspected, a Electrocardiography (EKG) carried out. Further examinations may be carried out as the diagnosis that the arrhythmia is caused by stress cannot be made until organic causes have been ruled out.

Laying

Cardiac arrhythmias when lying down can basically have two causes. In one case it is a real cause, in the second it is more an increased perception. As a rule, cardiac arrhythmias are perceived more clearly by those affected when they concentrate on them.

So if he lies down and lets his body come to rest, the disturbances are perceived much earlier and much more clearly than in moments of physical activity. In the second case, the condition is based on so-called body anomalies. By lying down, those affected stimulate the pacemaker centers of the heart. However, this fact is an absolute rarity and therefore rather unlikely.

Read more on the topic: Cardiac arrhythmias when lying down

Therapy with drugs

The treatment of arrhythmias is aimed according to the causal factors. When the underlying condition is stress, there are several drug treatments available. For example, the stress can cause high blood pressure, which can be treated with antihypertensive drugs. Certain other diseases can also promote stress and must be treated. For example, if there is a thyroid dysfunction, therapy for this disease usually also leads to the disappearance of the cardiac arrhythmia. The choice of suitable medication depends on the type of cardiac arrhythmia. Various drugs influence the ion channels in the heart and thus the heart rhythm (e.g. Beta blockers, Sodium channel blockers). Drugs that prevent blood clotting may also be considered.

Diazepam

Diazepam is a drug that belongs to the group of so-called benzodiazepines. It is prescribed as a sleeping pill or sedative and is highly addictive if taken over a long period of time. A well-known side effect of the drug is the so-called QT time extension.

In the EKG, the distance that shows the excitation of the heart chambers is longer than the normal value. This fact harbors the risk of renewed excitation of the heart muscle, which, however, does not come from the sinus node - the actual clock of the heart. The longer the QT time, the greater the risk of extrasystoles.

Therapy with homeopathy

When heart rhythm disorders are triggered by stress, there are some naturopathic procedures that can be used to reduce both the stress and the occurrence of the heart rhythm disorders. For relaxation and strengthening of the cardiovascular system are suitable relaxing baths such as Rub with lavender or spruce oil. Homeopathic remedies should not be taken on your own if you have heart problems, but only in consultation with a doctor. It can be used for cardiac arrhythmias caused by stress, for example Aconitum napellus (blue monkshood), a prescription homeopathic medicine. Besides, too Crataegus or Digitalis purpurea used as a homeopathic remedy. But also Schüssler salts and remedies from herbal medicine are mainly used against stress. Reducing stress work medicinal plants like Passion flower, Johannis herbs, Lemon balm, valerian or hop. The selection of homeopathic remedies is also based on the type and cause of the cardiac arrhythmias; Ignatia, for example, is suitable for states of excitement.

However, homeopathic treatment is only recommended in harmless cases of cardiac arrhythmias that are triggered by stress. An organic disease of the heart should definitely be ruled out by a cardiologist. If there is an organic disease of the heart, appropriate therapeutic measures such as medication or possibly the implantation of a defibrillator must be undertaken. In such a case, homeopathic treatment should only be continued in consultation with the doctor.

Can I drink alcohol if I have an arrhythmia caused by stress?

This combination is absolutely not recommended. Nevertheless, this decision is of course at the discretion of the person concerned. However, alcohol itself can lead to cardiac arrhythmias or to aggravate existing arrhythmias. According to a study of Oktoberfest visitors, intensive alcohol consumption resulted in up to a quarter of the examined cardiac arrhythmias. The consumption of alcohol increases the dangers of the cardiac arrhythmias that are already caused by stress.

Here you can find out more about: Palpitations after alcohol

What are extrasystoles?

Extrasystoles are electrical excitations of the heart that are outside of a person's normal heart rhythm. While there is usually an almost constant time between each heartbeat and the underlying electrical excitation of the heart, extrasystoles occur outside of the normal time interval.

They can lead to the next heartbeat shifting backwards or not affecting the actual heart rhythm. Both heart diseases and pathological electrical excitations of the heart can be the cause of extrasystoles.

Stress extrasystoles

An extra or missing heartbeat in the normal heart rhythm is called extrasystole. Colloquially, "Palpitations“Talked. Extrasystoles are among the most common cardiac arrhythmias; they can also occur in completely healthy people. But especially with fearful, stressed out or nervous The body reacts with people panic, an accelerated pulse, Restlessness and sweat. The excitement of stress, which is also reflected in physical symptoms, can also lead to extrasystoles. The occurrence of extrasystoles is also promoted when stressed people consume coffee, nicotine or alcohol. Fatigue or massive emotional excitement can also lead to extrasystoles in both healthy and sick people.

prophylaxis

People who suffer from stress and who therefore have an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias should take care of one very much healthy lifestyle endeavor. Luxury foods such as alcohol, nicotine and coffee should be avoided or only consumed in small amounts, as they further increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, a healthy lifestyle helps reduce stress, which is the most important measure to prevent cardiac arrhythmias. Easy but regular endurance training (e.g. 30 minutes of brisk walking daily) promotes heart health and at the same time ensures a reduction in stress. Get enough sleep, various Relaxation exercises, autogenic training or Tai chi can also reduce the risk of cardiac arrhythmias caused by stress.

Herbal ingredients can also help reduce stress, for example this is Broom weed is known for its relaxing effect.