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Suggest Treatment For Cardiac Arrhythmia

Posted on Wed, 24 Jun 2015

Question: Hi, my pulse rate is about 60 to 70 beats per minute and my blood pressure is good at 117 over 71 but I have an irregular pulse of about 3 beats then a small break then 3 beats and small break but sometimes it can go 5 or 6 beats in a row but never a complete regular minute with consistent rhythm. Should I be concerned I don't have any shortness of breath or pain in my chest this is been happening for a few weeks. Can stress or anxiety cause this or should I go and see my cardiologist who I will be seeing in a couple of weeks does this mean a heart attack or stroke waiting to happen or is this sometimes just normal.

Thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You should worry about new symptoms, contact your cardiologist...

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

You are experiencing a new onset cardiac arrhythmia and you have a 50% blockage of right coronary artery.

Although you don't have chest pain or dyspnoea this may be a sign of progression of coronary arteries disease (it may be also a warning sign for heart attack).

This is why you should be concerned about your symptoms and I recommend to see your cardiologist to do a full cardiac check up to definitely exclude the progression of heart disease (including the risk for heart attack and stroke).

If you were my patient I would recommend to do:
- ECG
- Cardiac ECHO
- Stress test
- Holter monitoring

Only in case that all these examinations will result negative, your symptoms are stress related.

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (31 minutes later)

Can they do anything to stop the arrhythmia I don't feel any effects from the arrhythmia its just when I feel my pulse with my finger I had a couple of glasses of wine today can that cause palpitations.

Thanks Dr Benard Shehu

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX

It's a good sign that you don't feel any effects from arrhythmia and it may be related to stress, alcohol. In these case betablockers are the treatment of choice (if you are taking any you should increase the dose).

However you should contact your cardiologist before any change on your therapy.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (29 minutes later)

Thanks, will follow up with my appointment on the 16th of XXXXXXX and ask for a echo and monitor. I saw him about 6 months ago with a stress test and he said nothing had changed the arrhythmia was about the same but he said it was normal for a guy my age 58 to have it. I have no head aches or dizzy spells so maybe it is stress related but my dad died of a heart attack at 55 during a by pass but he had 90 percent blockage in 3 arteries. He gave me a beta blocker but it slowed my heart down to 40 beats per minute so he to me off it. I still take my blood pressure pills and Lipitor along with a baby aspirin.

Thanks again XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX

In that case you should follow up with your cardiologist as scheduled. In case that you experienced chest pain, dizziness or any other symptoms lasting more than 15 minutes you should go to ER for a quick evaluation and ECG.

Meantime try to avoid alcohol, stressful situation and add chamomile tea and anxyolitics to your therapy (xanax) to help you with arrhythmia.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar