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Supraventricular extrasystole – this is a variant of cardiac arrhythmia, which manifests itself in the occurrence of cardiac impulses outside the conduction 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 disturbance manifests itself in the fact that from time to time 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 supraventricular extrasystole and learn about this problem after a planned ECG.
Symptoms of supraventricular extrasystole
Symptoms of supraventricular extrasystole may vary depending on the presence of cardiopathology.
Sometimes cardiac arrhythmias are completely asymptomatic, and sometimes the patient may present the following complaints:
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 over” inside. This is because after an episode of extrasystole occurs, it is followed by a compensatory cardiac impulse. It is his person who perceives it as a coup.
There may be hot flashes, sweating.
Sometimes severe weakness and dizziness may occur.
Periodically, 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:
Cardiac ischemia.
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 caused by 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 cardiac arrhythmias caused by the abuse of alcoholic beverages, smoking, drug use, excessive consumption of caffeinated liquids, spicy foods.
Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system.
Hormonal disorders in the body due to a malfunction of the endocrine glands, adrenal glands. Diabetes mellitus can lead to supraventricular extrasystoles.
Separately, supraventricular extrasystole of unknown etiology is isolated. In this case, rhythm disturbances occur due to causes 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 whether he has other heart diseases.
In the case when there are no cardiopathologies, and cardiac arrhythmias are asymptomatic, doctors limit themselves to standard recommendations.
They include:
Limit consumption of spicy foods and caffeinated drinks. Also, do not get too carried away with strong tea.
Leading a healthy lifestyle with moderate exercise.
Quitting smoking, using drugs and alcohol.
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 drugs, you should adhere to the recommendations given by him.
In the event that extrasystole is caused by some 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 the control of a neurologist. They are prescribed sedatives, for example, Relanium and Rudotel. In some cases, these drugs are replaced with sedative herbal preparations (melissa, motherwort, peony tincture). It is important to establish that cardiac arrhythmias are not provoked by medication.
In the event that extrasystoles cause symptoms that a person feels on his own, and the number of extrasystoles per day exceeds 200 episodes, the patient is recommended to take antiarrhythmic drugs. There are 4 classes. The choice of a particular drug depends on the patient’s condition, on his anamnesis and complaints. It is important to conduct 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.
Employees.
Mexilene, etc.
If, after 2 months from the start of therapy, extrasystoles were eliminated and are not detected by the 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.