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What Causes Extrasystolic Arrhythmia After A Root Canal?
Question: My father recently was discovered to have an arrhythmia when going for a check up for a cold. Apparently his heart was skipping a beat
The first EKG reported it -- but a second EKG a few hours later was normal. His x-ray of the heart and blood work was also normal. He has regular checkups and has never had this before (he's in his 80s).
He's going to wear a monitoring device for 24 hours.
My question concerns what could cause him to have experienced this? Three facts you should know.
First, he had root canal work 48 hours before the arrhythmia, and had novocaine. Second, for 48 hours after the dental work, and the day before the arrhythmia was detected, he was taking high doses of Advil, prescribed by the dentist . And third, he was under a lot of stress from that root canal procedure.
I understand that stress can cause an arrhythmia but can such stress affect a heartbeat 24-48 hours after
having had the stress? I also understand that novocaine can possible cause an arrhythmia but again, could this still manifest itself 48 hours after getting it.
I also understand that Advil might cause an arrhythmia as well -- but I wanted to question you on the other possible causes.
The first EKG reported it -- but a second EKG a few hours later was normal. His x-ray of the heart and blood work was also normal. He has regular checkups and has never had this before (he's in his 80s).
He's going to wear a monitoring device for 24 hours.
My question concerns what could cause him to have experienced this? Three facts you should know.
First, he had root canal work 48 hours before the arrhythmia, and had novocaine. Second, for 48 hours after the dental work, and the day before the arrhythmia was detected, he was taking high doses of Advil, prescribed by the dentist . And third, he was under a lot of stress from that root canal procedure.
I understand that stress can cause an arrhythmia but can such stress affect a heartbeat 24-48 hours after
having had the stress? I also understand that novocaine can possible cause an arrhythmia but again, could this still manifest itself 48 hours after getting it.
I also understand that Advil might cause an arrhythmia as well -- but I wanted to question you on the other possible causes.
Brief Answer:
Extrasystolic arrhythmia
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome to HCM and thank you for your question. I carefully read your query and I understand your concern.
Well, extrasystolic arrhythmia - extrasystoles - "skipped heart beats" are premature beats that are generated from an other site in the heart muscle, not from the natural pacremaker of the heart - the sinus node. Indeed there are a lot of physiological or lifestyle factors that could generate them, regardless the age, such as physical activity, psychological stress, hormonal changes, caffeine-containing beverages etc. They can affect anyone and also, even though classified as arrhythmias, are totally benign and harmless. However, in the normal aging process, heart's conduction and electrical systems undergo some tissue changes and gradually begin to "give their first sparks" of not functioning. It is a good thing, in my opinion, that a 24-hour Holter rhythm monitor was recommended. With this exam, we can carefully and exactly assess the number and frequency of extrasystoles, spun in a whole day. Based on the results of this test, treatment to abolish and prevent these phenomena from happening, may be recommended. I do not think that this is a case of arrhythmia generated from medication used before, during or after your father's root canal procedure.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Extrasystolic arrhythmia
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome to HCM and thank you for your question. I carefully read your query and I understand your concern.
Well, extrasystolic arrhythmia - extrasystoles - "skipped heart beats" are premature beats that are generated from an other site in the heart muscle, not from the natural pacremaker of the heart - the sinus node. Indeed there are a lot of physiological or lifestyle factors that could generate them, regardless the age, such as physical activity, psychological stress, hormonal changes, caffeine-containing beverages etc. They can affect anyone and also, even though classified as arrhythmias, are totally benign and harmless. However, in the normal aging process, heart's conduction and electrical systems undergo some tissue changes and gradually begin to "give their first sparks" of not functioning. It is a good thing, in my opinion, that a 24-hour Holter rhythm monitor was recommended. With this exam, we can carefully and exactly assess the number and frequency of extrasystoles, spun in a whole day. Based on the results of this test, treatment to abolish and prevent these phenomena from happening, may be recommended. I do not think that this is a case of arrhythmia generated from medication used before, during or after your father's root canal procedure.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you.
So you indicate that psychological stress could have caused this, correct?
The cardiologist at the hospital said that he did need to have an echocardiogram, which I don't know what that suggests.
Last, If this is benign as you indicate, why would he need treatment? Because of his age? Does this increase his chances substantially of a heart attack or stroke?
Would the treatment have to involve surgical work, or would medication suffice?
I meant to say above that the cardiologist said he did NOT need to have an echocardiogram, though he had EKGs, blood work and an xray.
So you indicate that psychological stress could have caused this, correct?
The cardiologist at the hospital said that he did need to have an echocardiogram, which I don't know what that suggests.
Last, If this is benign as you indicate, why would he need treatment? Because of his age? Does this increase his chances substantially of a heart attack or stroke?
Would the treatment have to involve surgical work, or would medication suffice?
I meant to say above that the cardiologist said he did NOT need to have an echocardiogram, though he had EKGs, blood work and an xray.
Brief Answer:
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Yes, psychological stress is among factors that can generate extrasystoles, in any age, including me.
I stated that these are bening phenomena. The 24-hour rhythm monitor is used to assess if these extrasystoles happen that often, such that they can be called as pathological. If this is true (as I stated in my original answer: based on the results of the exam, treatment may be needed), then medical, not surgical, treatment should be installed and recommended.
I would side with his doctor on the echo cardiogram, because echo assesses heart chambers and valves as a structure, and extrasystoles' origin and cause cannot be seen by this exam. It is only if it is concluded (by the 24-hour monitor) that these are pathological, then echo cardiogram may be recommended.
I hope I was helpful and thorough with my answer. If you do not have further questions, close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish him a good health.
Kindest regards,
Dr. Meriton
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Yes, psychological stress is among factors that can generate extrasystoles, in any age, including me.
I stated that these are bening phenomena. The 24-hour rhythm monitor is used to assess if these extrasystoles happen that often, such that they can be called as pathological. If this is true (as I stated in my original answer: based on the results of the exam, treatment may be needed), then medical, not surgical, treatment should be installed and recommended.
I would side with his doctor on the echo cardiogram, because echo assesses heart chambers and valves as a structure, and extrasystoles' origin and cause cannot be seen by this exam. It is only if it is concluded (by the 24-hour monitor) that these are pathological, then echo cardiogram may be recommended.
I hope I was helpful and thorough with my answer. If you do not have further questions, close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish him a good health.
Kindest regards,
Dr. Meriton
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Deepak
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Welcone back.
I am glad I was helpful. Wish you all the best.
Please close the discussion and rate my answer.
Kindest regards,
Dr. Meriton
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Welcone back.
I am glad I was helpful. Wish you all the best.
Please close the discussion and rate my answer.
Kindest regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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