The most common type of heart arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) is called Atrial Fibrillation. It is also known as “AFib,” and results in an irregular, and frequently fast, heartbeat. This irregular impulse, or signal, starts in the chambers of the heart when someone has atrial fibrillation, affecting the blood flow to the body and the heart muscle. This may result in blood clots that cause a stroke.

How Does AFib Happen? 

The heart’s top chambers (the atria), which normally have an orderly electrical stimulus by sinus node activity, switch to a chaotic, unstructured rhythm during atrial fibrillation, which causes the ventricles to beat erratically.

Atrial fibrillation impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively and frequently results in irregular chest palpitations. Weakness, weariness, vertigo, or shortness of breath could arise from this. Some patients with atrial fibrillation, however, are utterly oblivious to it and exhibit no symptoms at all.

7 Common AFib Triggers 

Despite the fact that AFib raises the chances of heart-related death as well as stroke, many people do not understand its potentially dangerous repercussions. Usually, those who have one or more of the following lifestyle habits (ref. link)are at higher risk for AFib. 

• Sleep issues

Atrial fibrillation episodes can be brought on by insufficient sleep, which is frequently brought on by the disease known as sleep apnea. Individuals with insomnia are up to 40%  more likely to develop atrial fibrillation, and even minor sleep disruptions in a person’s sleep pattern can increase the risk of the condition by as much as 18% (ref. link). 

• Liquor

Alcohol use, especially binge drinking, can weaken the heart muscle and make it more challenging for the heart to circulate blood throughout the body. The heart is therefore more vulnerable to AFib events. Dehydration, another typical AFib trigger, can be a result of alcohol consumption. 

• Caffeine

Caffeine happens to be a plausible cause of AFib in some people. However, numerous clinical studies show that coffee has little to no effect on most people with AFib. Normal caffeine consumption won’t affect or cause any atrial fibrillation episode in patients.

• Excessive exercise

Exercise causes the heart to beat more quickly; therefore, for certain AFib sufferers, a brief period of exercise may start an episode. In general, intense exercise or exercising when dehydrated increase the risk of AFib episodes. 

• Dehydration

Dehydration is a frequent cause of atrial fibrillation, resulting from drinking too much alcohol, caffeine, or not getting enough water. Because caffeine and alcohol are possible diuretics, they can cause dehydration, which can trigger bouts of atrial fibrillation if a person doesn’t consume enough water to replenish.

• Stress

Atrioventricular fibrillation events can result from any kind of psychological or physiological stress. Additionally, people who are stressed out may have trouble sleeping, drink more coffee or alcohol, or both. These behaviours can combine to cause an AFib event.

• Large meals

Some people may experience digestive issues after a large meal. The vagus nerve, which connects the gut, brain, and heart, can be stimulated. An AFib event may be triggered by a vagus nerve spike brought on by a substantial meal. According to research, gastrointestinal problems usually go away when an episode of AFib occurs.

No matter what causes the illness, a patient’s preferred course of action will determine how their atrial fibrillation is treated. 

Avoiding AFib Triggers 

People must be attentive to their symptoms because AFib triggers can be subtle and they are instrumental in determining what causes the atrial fibrillation. Additionally, wearable technologies like wristbands, smartwatches, and patches have trigger monitoring features. This aids patients in identifying the precise reason for a recent cardiac rhythm problem. 

Because of the numerous factors that could trigger an AFib episode people are recommended to consistently follow a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes moderate alcohol use, not smoking, eating a balanced diet, and controlling your blood pressure and weight. 

Atrial Fibrillation Types and Complications 

When your heart rhythm reverts to the regular within seven days and Atrial Fibrillation is resolved likely on its own or without any form of AFib treatment, it is known as Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Arrhythmic episodes that persist for more than seven days are called Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. Long Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation tends to occur when no medical action is taken for over 12 months, and there is possible structural heart damage present. Lastly, Permanent Atrial Fibrillation is a condition where medication and other remedies cannot bring the heart rate and rhythm back to a healthy level. 

With regard to the complications, blood clots have the propensity to form in some patients with atrial fibrillation because of the slow blood flow through the atria. Patients might suffer stroke and other complications which is why some people with atrial fibrillation require blood-thinning drugs like aspirin or warfarin. 

Can AFib be remedied without treatment? 

In the early stages of atrial fibrillation, episodes of the condition may come and go and end on their own. That being said, if it persists, Atrial fibrillation won’t go away on its own if nothing is done to treat it. Numerous AFib treatments, including drugs, surgeries, and lifestyle changes, can significantly reduce atrial fibrillation. 

Medical researchers (ref. link) estimate that over the next few years, there will be a major increase in the number of instances of AFib due to the fact that people are living longer and the probability of developing AFib increases with age. 

How To Reverse Atrial Fibrillation Naturally?

The long-term management of atrial fibrillation must include changes in lifestyle and the reduction of inflammation. Targeted lifestyle changes (ref. link) lifestyle changes can lessen %your symptoms, lessen your dependency on drugs or procedures, and potentially increase the likelihood that a catheter ablation operation for AFib will be successful long term. However, most patients do not receive guidance or advice on how to implement these crucial lifestyle adjustments in a way that is specific to AFib. 

Final Words

Each person will have a distinct experience with atrial fibrillation triggers. It all boils down to your medical background. If you’ve already been diagnosed with a particular type of AFib, managing your symptoms largely depends on being conscious of your health and of the circumstances that could potentially set off an episode. Do not put off seeing a doctor if you think you could have AFib. Do it as soon as you can since the earlier you take action to obtain relief, the better.

Finally, pair your newfound knowledge on AFib with the revolutionary Frontier X2 heart monitoring device to stay on top of your heart health at all times!

Frequently Asked Questions on Atrial Fibrillation :

What can trigger atrial fibrillation?

Some triggers of AFib are excessive alcohol intake, being overweight, drinking lots of caffeine, such as tea, coffee, or energy drinks, and also taking drugs.

What should you avoid if you have atrial fibrillation?

Try to avoid foods like Alcohol, Caffeine, Food with Fat, Salt, Sugar, Vitamin K, Gluten, and more.

How can I calm my atrial fibrillation naturally?

Natural Treatments for AFib include:

• Remain hydrated
• Cut out gluten.
• Exercise and stress relief
• Bypass stimulants
• Add nutrients

What is the best sleep position for AFib?

There is no precise sleep position that is useful for atrial fibrillation.

What is the most serious type of fibrillation?

Ventricular fibrillation is the most deadly type of fibrillation as it can cause sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death.

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

Aquatic Exercise for Heart Health | Mental Stress | Heart Attack Symptoms | Heart Palpitations Causes | Increased Heart rate | Healthy Heart Tips | Arrhythmia Causes | Running Heart Rate | Best ECG Monitors | Heart Palpitations After Eating

Frontier X2:

Smart Heart ECG Monitor in USA | ECG Machine Price in India | Best Heart Rate Monitor UK

Irregular or abnormal beating of the heart is known as arrhythmia. The most prevalent type of arrhythmia in adults, also known as AFib, develops when the electrical system that regulates your heartbeat fails, impairing blood flow to the atria and the heart’s upper chambers. In a healthy heart, the muscles in the upper and lower ventricles of the four chambers contract in unison to move blood from the atria to the ventricles, where it is circulated throughout the body.

Due to abnormal electrical impulses occurring within the heart, the atria, or top chambers of the heart, quiver or fibrillate when an individual has AFib (beating very fast).

Common Warning Signs of AFib

Many AFib symptoms may resemble other cardiac conditions, such as a heart attack. Inform your doctor right away once if you get AFib warning signs:

• The heart may feel as though it is racing, fluttering, pounding, thumping, or beating erratically when you have palpitations.
• Chest pressure, discomfort, or pain as well as unsteadiness, faintness, or dizziness
• Breathing difficulty
• Fatigue or little energy (in general or while exercising)
• Weakness
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Confusion

Periodically, atrial fibrillation can occur with symptoms that either come and go, persist for a few minutes to hours, and then go away on their own. The arrhythmia is perpetual in atrial fibrillation that is chronic.

Warning Signs of Stroke

AFib raises your chance of getting a stroke. AFib patients have a five-fold increased risk (ref. link) of stroke compared to individuals without AFib.  Hence, it’s critical to detect the stroke warning signals if you have AFib because it raises your risk of stroke :

• Stroke warning signals commonly manifest abruptly, are more noticeable on just one side of the body, and may include:
• Due to weakening, one side of the face may droop or get numb.
• Walking may be challenging if one arm or leg is weak or numb; if raised, the arm may drift downward.
• Speech difficulties include slurred or difficult-to-understand speech, the inability to repeat simple sentences, and trouble understanding other people’s speech.
• Confusion
• Vertigo, imbalance issues, or poor coordination
• Having vision issues in one or both eyes

AFib is extremely dangerous, even if it occurs occasionally. Blood clots brought on by untreated or misdiagnosed AFib can swiftly develop into a stroke. AFib can also weaken the heart’s muscles, resulting in heart failure. It is better to have it examined, be identified, and begin a course of medication that can control AFib. Medication can frequently be used to control AFib.

Older Adults are More Prone to AFib

As adults age, atrial fibrillation becomes increasingly prevalent. The prevalence of this arrhythmia in patients over 80 years old is about 11% (ref. link). Atrial fibrillation patients frequently show no symptoms. After an older adult’s first stroke, atrial fibrillation is frequently found to be the root cause.

AFib diagnosis increases the risk of stroke, especially when combined with conditions like heart valve disease, heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension. The atria may develop blood clots as a result of atrial fibrillation. A stroke might happen if the blood clot leaves the heart and moves to the brain.

Teenagers With Atrial Fibrillation

Teenagers may also experience atrial fibrillation symptoms, despite their rarity. If subsequent occurrences are frequent, it may be a symptom of an underlying problem or a single, isolated incident.

It is highly uncommon to receive a diagnosis on a regular evaluation, unlike patients who are adults. Before a major occurrence like a heart arrest, paediatric children virtually invariably exhibit palpitations as a symptom. Younger individuals with healthy hearts who briefly experience the symptoms of atrial fibrillation are less likely to have the risk factors for stroke.

The use of drugs or alcohol and physical activity can cause an isolated episode of AFib in a heart that is otherwise healthy. Teens frequently experience chest pain, abdominal pain, or a feeling of the heart pumping quickly.

How Much Time Does AFib Last?

According to how long your symptoms last, doctors categorise AFib. Some varieties’ fluttering lasts longer than others:

• Paroxysmal fibrillation- last seven days or fewer
• Persistent AFib- more than seven days long
• Permanent AFib- Never

Diagnosis and Treatment for AFib

Treatment for AFib depends on how long you had the condition, your symptoms, and the underlying cause. Some AFib patients exhibit no symptoms and are completely unaware of their illness. It might be identified using a stethoscope to listen to the heart or with a cardiac test like an electrocardiogram, echocardiography, stress test, or Holter monitor. 

Others may have symptoms, although they might not know they are connected to AFib. The symptoms could show up regularly or infrequently. They might also flit in and out.

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), one of the additional tests, is the most accurate way to identify and confirm the presence of AFib.

Your doctor could advise you to wear a monitor or recorder to catch AFib if it periodically occurs. Wearing a Holter monitor or portable event monitor may be suggested by your doctor so they may study the data gathered over time.

Different types of treatments include medications, therapies, and surgery. You may be prescribed medications to normalise your rapid heartbeats.

Medication is also prescribed to prevent blood clots (ref. link). Common medication includes,

• Beta-blockers to slow the heart rate at rest and during activity.
• Calcium channel blockers control the heart rate. However, this type of medication is not recommended for those who have heart failure or low blood pressure.

Atrial fibrillation is a complex and common heart condition that needs more awareness among people. If you encounter signs of AFib, you must see a doctor. Your doctor can determine if your heartbeat is irregular by feeling your pulse or using a stethoscope to listen to your heart. It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider or physician and learn more about available resources and support communities.

Finally, pair your newfound knowledge on AFib with the revolutionary Frontier X2 heart monitoring device to stay on top of your heart health at all times!

Frequently Asked Questions on AFib :

How do I know if I am experiencing Afib? 

The most obvious sign of Afib is heart palpitations. During Afib a person might feel pounding, flutter or irregular beating of the heart.

What are the symptoms of silent Afib? 

The symptoms of Afib can be subtle and confusing. The symptoms could be fatigue, racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating and pain in the chest. 

How can I test myself for Afib? 

To know if you have Afib it is essential to record your pulse rate. In order to do so, firmly place the index and middle finger of your right hand on the wrist of your left hand. Count the pulse for 30 seconds and double the reading to get the beats per minute. A normal heart rate ranges from 60-100 beats per minute, but during an Afib the count is considerably higher than 100 beats per minute (ref. link).

Can laying on your left side trigger Afib? 

For people with underlying heart conditions and potential risk of Afib, laying on the left side in the lateral position can be a common trigger for Afib. This situation is also associated with being overweight (ref. link). 

How can you get yourself out of Afib? 

There are various ways to stop an Afib episode:

• • Get some exercise 
  • Practice yoga 
  • Put some cold water on your face 
  • Take deep breaths

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

Irregular Heartbeat | Living With AFib | Endurance Training | Heart Rate Monitor Device | Heart Health Tips | Yoga for Heart Health | Normal Resting Heart Rate | Low Carb Diet | Cardio Exercise | Wearable ECG Monitor

Frontier X2:

Smart Heart ECG Monitor in USA | ECG Machine Price in India | Best Heart Rate Monitor UK

Atrial fibrillation is a chronic, usually progressive condition that causes frequent, recurrent episodes in patients throughout their lifetimes. A patient with AFib is more likely to experience potentially fatal consequences such as a stroke, heart attack, or heart failure. 

As per a study (ref. link), up to 47% of AFib patients say their quality of life has decreased, 25% say their daily routines have been disrupted, and 19% say their functional status has been compromised. Caring for individuals with AFib can be demanding because it significantly disrupts carers’ daily lives, causing schedule conflicts and financial strain.

These issues can develop due to passive blood flow and diminished pumping action. While some AFib sufferers show no symptoms, others report various symptoms. AFib raises the chance of developing heart conditions, including stroke. You run an increased chance of developing further cardiac rhythm abnormalities if you have AFib.

Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis

Even though AFib is a chronic illness, you can still live a long and active life with proper management of the disease. You can take several actions to manage your condition, reduce your risk of stroke, and ease any anxieties you might have. These consist of the following:

• Educating yourself on your ailment, Atrial Fibrillation symptoms & signs, causes, and remedies
• Maximising your network of supporters (including those close to you and your healthcare team)
• Hearing from other people who have AF.

Setting Heart Health Objectives

Along with beginning your treatment programme, lifestyle adjustments can help you feel better, control your AF, and reduce your risk of consequences like stroke or heart failure. You can achieve the lifestyle changes you wish to make by setting goals. Make sure your objectives are both attainable and realistic. Your chances of success are higher if you:

• Decide on a goal that is very important to you and put it in writing.
• Organise your strategy for achieving the objective.
• Obtain assistance from those around you.
• Think of ways to overcome obstacles and increase your confidence.

What Effects Does AFib Have on Relatives?

3% of geriatric patients (ref. link) and 80% of stroke patients need caregiver support, which can include checking for bleeding symptoms or opening medication packages, among other things.

The daily lives of caregivers of AFib patients undergo significant changes, including schedule disruptions, financial strain, a lack of family support, and health issues. The caregiver stress may result in less effective patient care, psychological and physical exhaustion, and poor patient outcomes. By the third month of recovery, more than 40% of stroke patients receiving treatment require further assistance (ref. link). 

What is the Effect of Stroke on Quality of Life?

One of the worst possible effects of AFib (ref. link) is stroke, which can seriously affect one’s ability to function physically, mentally, and socially. Paralysis, sadness, personality changes, communication issues, anxiety, memory loss, and cognitive impairment are major drawbacks following a stroke.

A second stroke will occur in 30% of people who have had a stroke (ref. link), and the risk is roughly nine times higher than the risk of stroke in the general population. Patients with AFib often experience more severe and debilitating strokes than people without the illness.

Maintaining Healthy Connections

People close to you will probably feel the effects of an AFib diagnosis. It’s typical for family members and close friends to experience fear or anxiety in the wake of your AFib diagnosis. It can be challenging for those around you to comprehend what you’re going through because AFib frequently has no obvious, visible symptoms. This could cause resentment and dissatisfaction. Because of this, it’s crucial to have strong communication with your family.

Having frank and open discussions might help you feel less stressed. No one should be left out of these discussions, not even kids. 

Advice on effective communication

• Select a time when there won’t be any interruptions to discuss your illness with your family.
• Positively express your emotions using “I” statements rather than “you” comments.
• Seek assistance
• Make a list of inquiries.

Intimacy and Sex

Following an AFib diagnosis, people frequently have a lot of anxiety about intimacy and sexual interactions. People with AFib avoid having sex because it may create heart palpitations. The partners of people with AFib frequently worry that having sex would harm their loved one’s health. This may cause people to lose interest in or confidence in engaging in sexual activity, which would be detrimental to their relationship.

In addition, people with atrial fibrillation may suffer from physical conditions like erectile dysfunction occasionally. As per a research report, the overall prevalence of erectile dysfunction among AFib patients is 57% (ref. link). Some drugs used to treat AFib may also lead to issues. 

However, like other forms of exercise, having sex is healthy for your heart and overall health. Hormones like Endorphins that are released during sex can counter depression and anxiety (ref. link), both of which increase the risk of heart disease. If you’re having problems with your sex life, go to your doctor, as they might be able to change your prescription or discover other ways to help.

Atrial Fibrillation and Fitness

Initially diagnosed with AF, you might have been concerned that working out might cause an episode or exacerbate your disease. In actuality, exercise is crucial to your long-term health and welfare. Routine exercise

• Lowers the risk of a stroke
• Minimises AFib symptoms
• Can gradually drop your resting heart rate
• Lowers your risk of developing other heart diseases
• Enables you to control your weight
• Increases your well-being and mood.

Muscular and Skeletal Systems

You could develop fluid retention in your feet, ankles, and legs if you have AFib. Common symptoms include irritation and muscle weakness when performing previously ordinary tasks. The effects of AFib may generally impair your capacity for activity.

Everyone has a unique AFib experience. While some people manage the illness effectively, receiving an AFib diagnosis can be extremely distressing for some people, leaving them with feelings of lack of confidence, worry, and perhaps even melancholy. Following the above-mentioned steps can assist control your AF.

Keep a track of your heart activities using the Frontier X2 ECG fitness tracker, so you can maintain a healthy heart and understand activities that cause fluctuations in your heart rate.

Frequently Asked Questions on Impact of Atrial Fibrillation :

How does arrhythmia affect your daily life? 

Arrhythmia can affect one’s daily life as it can make you feel weak, chest pain, shortness of breath, loss of energy. 

What are the consequences of atrial fibrillation? 

Atrial fibrillation can lead to a reduced blood pressure, lower exercise capacity and cardiovascular conditions that may lead to a heart failure.

Can you live a normal life with atrial fib?

With proper treatment and medical supervision, it is possible for individuals to live a normal and active life (ref. link).

Does AFib make you feel tired? 

If you are suffering from atrial fibrillation you may feel weak, fatigued, light headed and unable to exercise as per normal capacity. 

How does atrial fibrillation make you feel?

Atrial fibrillation can make you tired, dizzy and short of breath. You might also experience heart palpitations, fluttering or irregular heartbeat. 

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

Heart Palpitations After Eating | Acid Reflux | | Increased Heart Rate | Healthy Heart Diet | Heart Arrhythmia | Heart Palpitation | Running Heart Rate Zones | Low Heart Rate | Heart Rate Monitors

Frontier X2:

Smart Heart ECG Monitor in USA | ECG Machine Price in India | Best Heart Rate Monitor UK

Each person experiences and responds to stress differently. Stress can slowly but steadily affect the heart health, resulting in heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, heart failure, or stroke. Nonetheless, a person with heart problems might not even be aware that stress is the root of their problems.

Chronic stress has been connected to many negative health outcomes, from a congested daily commute, an unhappy marriage, or an overbearing boss. Your emotions, sleep, and appetite may also be affected due to stress.

Everyday Stress

Severe, acute stress can harm the cardiovascular system, as observed in the case of broken heart syndrome (ref. link). But what about regular stress factors like rush-hour traffic, marital conflict, and workplace anxiety? 

Although it hasn’t been proven, it has been hypothesised that stress causes inflammation, a known cause of heart disease. However, there may be additional subtle ways in which stress might lead to heart disease. Some people act in ways that enhance their risk for heart disease when they are under stress.

Connection Between Mental Health Disorders And Heart Disease

As per reports (ref. link), people suffer from depression, anxiety, stress, and even Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), over a long period of time may experience certain physiologic effects on the body. These include increased cardiac reactivity (e.g., increased heart rate and blood pressure), reduced blood flow to the heart, and heightened levels of cortisol. These effects over time,  can lead to calcium buildup in the arteries, metabolic disease, and heart disease.

Effects of Stress on the Heart

• Stress can lead to acute ischemic attacks (ref. link). Ischemia is caused by coronary artery spasm (ref. link) (a temporary tightening of muscles in the artery), leading to decreased blood flow to the heart.
• The adrenal glands release catecholamines, or stress chemicals like epinephrine, also called adrenaline.
• Higher heart rate
• Higher blood pressure
• Increased need for oxygen by the body (temporarily higher metabolic rate)
• Lower threshold for irregular cardiac rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia. These irregular cardiac rhythms are more likely to occur when the heart’s electrical system is unstable.

Heart Health and Extreme Stress

Stress can undoubtedly have significant physiological consequences on the body, especially the heart. This is especially true when an abrupt and strong (acute) stressor has occurred. 

Blood sugar levels rise along with the blood’s amount of stress hormones. The blood vessel walls may become inflamed if those sugar levels are higher than what the body requires. Inflammation can cause cholesterol-rich plaque to accumulate in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.

The illness, also referred to as “broken heart syndrome (ref. link),” affects women significantly and more frequently than males, even in people who have never had heart problems. Always keep in mind that stress and anxiety can have subtle impacts on your heart. There are frequently minimal or no symptoms associated with serious illnesses such as high blood pressure, excessive hormone production, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. Yet they may have a significant long-term influence. 

Ways to Control Stress and Protect Your Heart

Your body experiences physical effects from stress. Anxiety is a sign that you’re stressed out. However, taking medication for anxiety issues does not treat chronic stress.

If you want to reduce your stress and have a healthy heart, try these easy suggestions.

• Ways to reduce stress: Read a book, take a bubble bath, or listen to music. If a method works for you, it is effective.
• Meditation- This method of inwardly directed thought and deep breathing lowers heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure. Find a peaceful place to sit, close your eyes, and concentrate on breathing for a few minutes. Yoga and prayer, closely related to meditation, can help the body and mind unwind.
• Unwind- Since stress follows you everywhere, it is impossible to escape it—severe the chord. Avoid disturbing TV news and emails after work hours. Spend some time everyday for yourself, even if it’s just for 10 or 15 minutes.
• Workout- Your body releases mood-enhancing substances called endorphins whenever you engage in physical activity, such as walking or playing tennis. Exercise relieves stress and helps you maintain a healthy weight while strengthening your heart muscle, decreasing your blood pressure, and protecting against heart disease.
• Be positive- Those with heart disease which keep a positive outlook have a lower mortality rate than those who are more pessimistic. Even a nice laugh might be beneficial to your heart. Laughter has been shown to enhance “good” HDL cholesterol, lower stress hormone levels, and reduce artery inflammation. This same network can assist in lowering your risk for heart attack if you already have heart disease. Having at least one person you can count on relieves stress and brings comfort. A solid support network also enables you to take better care of yourself. According to research, the likelihood of practising bad habits like smoking, eating a diet high in fat, and drinking too much alcohol increases when there is a lack of social support.
• Set priority for what is most important to you and strive for a life-work balance to reduce ongoing stress. Make time for friends and family. 
• Reduce stress through exercise- Regular exercise reduces blood pressure and fights against other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Deep breathing and mindful meditation can both help you manage your stress. Do yoga, which blends relaxation, controlled breathing, and movement.
• Get enough sleep- Stress and sleep are related. Lack of sleep can contribute to stress, which in turn can contribute to greater stress. Improved sleep hygiene is essential for stress management and heart health promotion.

Final Takeaway

Your chance of developing heart disease can increase if you work a demanding job that doesn’t provide you with many opportunities to make decisions or pays little. Work stress becomes much more problematic when you lack a solid support network or suffer from chronic anxiety.

Physical and mental pressures are virtually hard-wired into our existence in today’s fast-paced world. Total stress avoidance is not realistic. Find stress-relieving techniques that are effective for you to lessen the negative effects of ongoing tension on the heart, such as exercise, deep breathing, prayer, meditation or mindfulness, yoga, or massage, to name a few.

Finally, you can be assured of your heart health using our Frontier X2 heart monitoring device. Find out more about this revolutionary technology here.

Frequently Asked Questions on Mental Stress :

How do I know if stress is affecting my heart? 

Constant stress can affect the heart adversely by increasing the blood pressure levels and producing excess stress hormones (ref. link).

Can emotional stress make your heart hurt? 

While experiencing stress or anxiety, the body produces adrenaline and cortisol which make the heart rate increase rapidly. This may result in a lot of people experiencing chest pains, sweating or other discomforts. – 

How do I know if it is anxiety or my heart? 

Chest pain is common during both a heart attack and an anxiety attack. However, the basic difference between the two is the kind of pain. During a panic attack or anxiety pain the chest pain feels like stabbing or sharp sting in the centre of the chest while during a heart attack, the pain resembles pressure and squeeze.

How to get rid of heart pain caused by stress? 

There are various ways to ease chest pain caused by stress and anxiety. 

• Exercise- staying active and exercising serves not only as a good distraction but also helps in increasing the serotonin levels in the body.
• Get a good sleep- lack of sleep or sleep deprivation can cause an increase in anxiety issues.
• Limit caffeine, alcohol and smoking.
• Take deep breaths- deep breathing can help you down and bring down the heart rate.

What happens to the heart during anxiety? 

While suffering from anxiety the body is prompted to go into flight or fight response triggering hormones such as adrenaline. This leads to the heart beat faster and the muscle to get tense.

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

AFib Symptoms | Persistent Atrial Fibrillation | Acid Reflux | Increased Heart Rate | Healthy Heart Diet | Heart Arrhythmia | Heart Palpitation | Running Heart Rate Zones | Silent heart attack | Best Heart Rate Monitors

Frontier X2:

Smart Heart ECG Monitor in USA | ECG Machine Price in India | Best Heart Rate Monitor UK

Heart disease continues to be considered a leading cause of death globally (ref. link). Heart attacks usually occur due to blockage in the coronary artery, leading to reduced or no circulation of blood supply to the heart muscles. Chest pain is the most common and recognized heart attack sign, but the symptoms can vary depending on gender and age (ref. link). 

Heart attacks present many other symptoms, apart from the most obvious ones – chest tightness and upper body pain. These symptoms, at times, are easily mistaken for other ailments (like nausea, heartburn, and fatigue). Identifying the early signs of a heart attack and seeking prompt medical attention can make the difference between life and death.

9 Early Signs of Heart Attack

Here are the 9 early heart attack signs to look out for.

1. Uncomfortable Pressure
The very first symptom of a heart attack (ref. link) is an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, feeling of fullness, or pain in the centre or left side of your chest. This discomfort usually lasts for a few minutes, goes away, and comes back again.

2. Pain in Other Parts of the Body
Pain due to a heart attack can occur in places other than the chest also. A blocked coronary (ref. link) can trigger the nerves in your heart to give a signal to the body that something is wrong, and you will start feeling the pain. Considering the fact that the vagus nerve (ref. link) is connected to not only the heart but also the brain, abdomen, chest, and neck, you may feel those pain signals in other parts of the body in addition to the region around the heart. The pain and pressure in the centre of your chest spread up into your throat and jaw.

You may experience pain or discomfort in your: 

• Back
• Neck
• Arms (one or both)
• Jaw
• Stomach

3. Dizziness
Many things can make you dizzy –  not drinking enough water, skipping meals, or standing up too fast. But dizziness or lightheadedness combined with chest pain and shortness of breath can signify a decrease in blood volume and a drop in blood pressure, which means a heart attack could be on its way (ref. link).

4. Fatigue
Feeling exhausted after a sleepless night or a tiring day is normal. But women can feel fatigue as an early sign of a heart attack a month before (ref. link) an actual heart attack. A study found that 95% of women noticed something was not right a month or so before their heart attacks (ref. link). The two most common early warning signs of a heart attack in women were fatigue and disturbed sleep.  

5. Nausea and Indigestion
Gastric symptoms like a groggy stomach, vomiting, or belching occur when the heart and other areas of the body are not receiving sufficient blood supply. People tend to misjudge this as acid reflux or heartburn. So it is important to consult a doctor, especially if you are experiencing heartburn along with other heart attack symptoms such as;

• Fatigue
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Heart Palpitation

6. Sweating
Waking up in a cold sweat, feeling nauseated, and vomiting may look like symptoms of the flu, but they can indicate the occurrence of a silent heart attack. Unless you have just exercised, breaking out into a cold sweat, or perspiring heavily could signal a heart attack. During a heart attack (or pressure situation), your nervous system releases stress hormones. These hormones combine with white blood cells and activate a “fight or flight” response which could lead to sweating.

7. Heart Palpitations
When the heart lacks an adequate blood supply, the heart can begin to get irritable. A reduced supply of nutrient-filled blood leads to the sensation of heart palpitations.

8. Shortness of Breath
If you find it difficult to climb the stairs, and feel frequent shortness of breath, seek immediate medical attention. Even though this does not always mean you are about to have a heart attack, it could be a sign that your heart is in danger. This type of shortness of breath (ref. link), associated with a heart attack, can come with or without any chest pain. Women are found to experience shortness of breath more commonly than men.

9. Swollen Legs, Feet, and Ankles
When the heart does not pump blood fast enough, blood moves back into the veins and causes bloating in various parts of the body, like legs, feet, and ankles (ref. link). Heart failure also makes it harder for the kidneys to remove excess water and sodium from the body, which leads to bloating and swelling.

Early Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack in Men and Women

Signs and symptoms of heart attack differ for men and women. The most obvious and common heart attack symptom known is chest pain (angina) or discomfort. But women are more likely than men (ref. link) to experience some of the other atypical symptoms, especially shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the back or jaw.

Women are found to develop symptoms that are subtler and harder to identify as a heart attack, especially if the physician is only looking for the “usual” signs of a heart attack. While the common symptoms, such as chest pain or discomfort, apply to both men and women, women are more likely to experience less common symptoms, such as indigestion, difficulty in breathing, and back pain, sometimes even in the absence of obvious chest pain.

Catch The Signs Early

Being aware of the early signs of a heart attack is important. Even if you are not sure you have a heart attack, seek immediate medical intervention if you experience any or all the symptoms mentioned above. While these signs do not always mean you have a heart attack, it is better to be cautious and take prompt action. The chances of surviving a heart attack are higher the sooner you get medical treatment.

And remember — the best way to prevent heart attacks in the first place is to get your heart health regularly monitored for risk factors that can lead to a heart attack.

It is always better to keep a track of your heart activities using an ECG fitness tracker, so you can maintain a healthy heart and understand situations and activities that improve or worsen your heart health.

The Frontier X2 is the best ECG fitness tracker on the market, and you can find out more its revolutionary technology here.

Frequently Asked Questions on Early Signs of Heart Attack :

Are there any warning signs days before a heart attack? 

Even though some heart attacks are sudden, there are times when the symptoms can linger for hours, days or even weeks before a heart attack. The prolonged feeling of pressure or constant pain in the chest that does not go away even with rest can be a common symptom of heart attack.

What is usually the first symptom of a heart attack? 

The first symptom of a heart attack is pain, discomfort, feeling of swelling or pressure in the center of the chest.

Are there a set of common symptoms for all heart attacks? 

While most people suffering from heart attacks complain of chest pains, discomfort in the neck or arm, the symptoms can be different in some cases of diabetes and in women. While in these cases chest pain might not be very prominent, there are other symptoms such as shortness of breath and nausea.

What happens just before a heart attack? 

Before the attack, a person may feel discomfort and pain in the chest area along with lightheadedness, pain in the neck, jaw or back and shortness of breath. 

How long does a heart attack last? 

A heart attack can last from a few minutes to a few hours depending on the severity of the case.

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

Healthy Heart Exercise | Arrhythmia Symptoms | Heart Palpitations After Eating | Heart Rate Zones | Low Heart Rate | Low Carb Diet | Atrial Fibrillation | Cardiovascular Disease | Heart Rate During Exercise | Best ECG Monitor

Frontier X2:

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Heart palpitations refer to a condition characterised by irregular heartbeats and fluttering or pounding of the heart, which can occur sporadically or frequently. Heart palpitations feel that the heart is beating too fast in comparison to its regular rate. They usually are harmless and often go away on their own. Most of the time, they are caused by stress and anxiety or because of excess caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol intake. 

Some of the possible causes of heart palpitations include:

• Caffeine
• Nicotine
• Stress and anxiety
• Hormonal changes
• Hyperthyroidism
• Exercise
• Fever
• Anaemia
• Dehydration
• Blood loss
• Pregnancy

Apart from above mentioned direct causes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or, the long-term and frequent occurrence of acid reflux, can also be one of the causes. 

Gastroesophageal Disease  

Gastroesophageal disease, or GERD, is a chronic disorder affecting the upper gastrointestinal tract. It occurs when stomach acid or bile seeps into the food pipe and irritates the lining. Acid reflux and heartburn more than twice a week are indicative of GERD. One of the common signs and symptoms is burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and worsens when lying down. 

GERD and acid reflux are not the same things. GERD is a digestive system disease that involves chronic symptoms of acid reflux.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Its Association With Heart Palpitation

GERD and heart palpitations are two conditions that cross paths in various clinical practices. According to a recent study (ref. link), people with GERD possess a high possibility of developing heart-related problems. Although the mechanism is yet unknown, there is some evidence through limited observational studies (ref. link) that report that acid reflux can be one of the heart palpitations causes. Acid reflux causes irritations to the oesophagal mucosa, which leads to inflammation, and plays an essential role in the mechanism pathway that would result in heart palpitations. Acid stimulation of the oesophagus increases vagal afferent traffic and plays a role in the onset of heart palpitations (ref. link), even in the absence of heart disease 

Risk Factors for GERD

GERD can be linked to the following risk factors:

• Alcohol consumption
• Tobacco use
• Obesity
• Diets rich in acidic foods, carbonated beverages, and spicy food

Treating GERD to Avoid Heart Palpitations

Managing your acid reflux symptoms requires a combination of appropriate medication and lifestyle changes. Following a holistic approach can control your GERD and symptoms and prevent the condition from snowballing into heart palpitations.

6 Simple Tips to Treat GERD

• Take smaller meals

By eating smaller meals, your stomach will be partially full and hence, will produce far less stomach acid. This, in turn, reduces gastric pressure. A large meal size combined with a high-calorie intake is tacitly linked to increased oesophagal acid levels and abdominal distention in people with GERD. A very full stomach also puts pressure on the valve between your stomach and the lower oesophagal sphincter (LES) (ref. link).  This allows more gastric acid to flow from the stomach into the oesophagus. Take six small meals rather than the usual three meals a day.

• Slow down the pace of your eating

When you eat, chemical messengers in the stomach (ref. link) signal the brain that food is there. When the stomach is full, the brain responds with sensations of fullness. However, those signals can take a few minutes to reach the brain. By eating quickly, you overeat and overfill the stomach before the messenger signals reach the brain. Eat slowly so that your brain can catch up with your stomach and tell you when it is full.

• Maintain a sufficient gap between your meal and bedtime

Avoid late-night snacking if you have GERD. When you lie flat soon after eating, gravity forces the food inside your stomach closer to the LES (ref. link). If you overeat, the pressure against the LES increases even further. Avoid eating or drinking at least two hours before your bedtime. If you have severe GERD symptoms, stop four hours beforehand.

• Avoid trigger foods

There are foods that can directly impact the lining of the oesophagus, such as spicy foods, citrus fruits, coffee, and juices. Alcohol not only increases the production of stomach acids but also relaxes the LES, allowing acid to seep into the oesophagus (ref. link). 

• Use antacids and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) wisely

Antacids and proton-pump inhibitors are medications taken to reduce stomach acidity. Antacids counteract the acid in your stomach and relieve acute heartburn. With that said, taking antacids whenever you have the slightest hint of acidity and heartburn can lead to more harm than good. The overuse of antacids (ref. link) can cause constipation, diarrhoea, change in stool colour, and stomach cramps. Certain antacids contain calcium and can cause kidney stones (ref. link).

In addition, antacids can interact with the activity of other drugs (ref. link), including HIV medications, NSAIDs, thyroid hormones, and blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin). An antacid should be taken two to four hours before or after certain drugs to avoid interactions.

• Relax

Stress does not directly “cause” GERD but can intensify the perception of symptoms. Stress leads to increased release of acid in the stomach, aggravating GERD. Avoid overthinking, take a few deep breaths, and relax, and you can ease the anxiety that often accompanies acute GERD episodes and experience a more rapid easing of symptoms.

At the same time, daily stress management activities like yoga, meditation and walking may serve as a “preventive” therapy by reducing stress levels daily. 

Bottom line

GERD is a common digestive disorder that causes the stomach contents, especially acid, to flow into the oesophagus. It can affect people of all ages and genders and can be rather complicated to treat. Unfortunately, GERD has the potential to trigger heart palpitations. Often, the factors that lead to GERD can contribute to the development of heart palpitations. If you experience fluttering and a racing heartbeat, contact your health provider as soon as possible. 

It is important to take charge of your health by living a healthy lifestyle, practising preventive medicine, following a nutrition plan, and regularly exercising. Understanding your symptoms and signs and being aware of health conditions helps you lead a healthy and happy life. 

One way you can be assured of your heart health is by using a heart monitoring device. Check out the Frontier X2 and its continuous ECG tracking feature which will help you monitor any possible heart palpitations.

Frequently Asked Questions on Acid Reflux :

Can acid reflux cause an irregular heart?

Although palpitations have many direct causes like gastroesophageal reflux disease (ref. link) (GERD), long-term and regular acid reflux is unlikely to be one of them.

Can GERD feel like heart palpitations?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or chronic acid reflux can often exhibit feelings of chest tightness or palpitations (ref. link). At times the burning sense fades and then continues, which can cause pain.

Can Stomach gas cause heart palpitations?

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can trap air in your oesophagus, which can lead to anxiety, and then a short burst of heart palpitations.

How do you know if it’s heart or acid reflux?

Heartburn generally begins as burning in the top part of the stomach that drives up into the chest while a heart attack usually induces pressure, tightness, or pain in the chest that may proceed to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. 

How are heart palpitations treated?

You can follow some activities like:

1. Add routine activities into your day like yoga, or meditation
2. Deep breathing exercises
3. Dodge activities that cause anxiety

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

Increased Heart rate | Heart Rate Monitor | Living with AFib | Atrial Fibrillation Heart Rate | Endurance Training | Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation | How to Improve Heart Health | Resting Heart Rate | Silent heart attack | Running Heart Rate

Frontier X2:

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It has been established (ref. link)that an elevated heart rate while being nauseous serves as a sign of motion sickness. However, there hasn’t been much research done on the connection between heart rate and how subjectively motion sickness is rated. If a rise in the heart rate is associated with motion sickness, it is thought to have autonomic roots. A straightforward measure of the heart rate can be one of the indicators of the modest variations in the level of motion sickness.

A number of digestive disorders can lead to nausea and vomiting. Vomiting brought on by stress or indigestion may also be accompanied by a racing heart. These symptoms may also be linked to emotional problems like anxiety disorders (ref. link) since these problems can occasionally result in nausea. 

Vomiting and nausea are common symptoms of many digestive system disorders (ref. link), such as food poisoning or gastroenteritis. There are many other causes of slow heart rate, such as heart rhythm problems or shock. 

Nausea

When the many body systems that sense balance and position provide conflicting messages to the brain, it can lead to nausea (ref. link). Your feeling of balance and orientation to your environment is maintained by your brain using information from four sensory systems.

• Your vision can dictate how you move and understand where you are relative to the rest of the world. This is an essential part of the balance system.
• Using sensory nerves in your joints, your brain can maintain track of where your legs, arms, and torso are at all times. Your body can then make minor adjustments to your posture to maintain balance (proprioception).
• Your body’s position and motion concerning gravity are revealed by your skin’s sensation of pressure.
• The semicircular canals and the labyrinth, a region of the inner ear, contain specialised cells that can detect motion and changes in position. Injuries or conditions of the inner ear might cause erroneous signals to reach the brain. They can communicate to the brain that motion is being detected by the inner ear’s balancing system (labyrinth). Vertigo may develop if these incorrect signals clash with signals coming from the body’s other balance and positioning centres.

The list that follows can be used as a resource to learn more about these ailments, but it should not be used in place of a medical professional’s diagnosis. Your symptoms and indications may potentially be related to a wide range of other medical issues.

Panic Attacks (Panic Disorder)

A panic episode is an unprovoked, sudden feeling of anxiety (ref. link). Even while you are sleeping, these episodes might happen at any time. When having a panic attack, a person could think that they are going to die or have a heart attack. A panic attack causes a person to feel fear and horror that are out of proportion to the actual circumstance and may have nothing to do with what is happening around them. 

Racing heartbeat, lightheadedness, nausea, tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers, chills, and chest aches are among the symptoms that most people with panic attacks encounter. There are several ways to treat panic attacks that include abating breathing difficulties and the individual’s sense of being out of control.

Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is widespread, but it also poses a serious health risk. Food poisoning symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain. Various factors can lead to food poisoning, including bacteria and toxins (from hazardous seafood or plants) (Staphylococcus aureus or Salmonella). The aetiology of food poisoning determines the course of treatment.

Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)

Aberrant conduction of electricity in certain parts of the heart is known as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) (ref. link). Previously known as paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT), the title is now only used to describe a specific type of heart ailment. Weakness, breathlessness, chest tightness, dizziness, and palpitations are all signs of PSVT. The heart’s normal electrical pattern is restored as part of the treatment for PSVT.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a state of unease that is accompanied by symptoms like imitative behaviour, migraines, and attention deficit disorder. Disorders of anxiety (ref. link) are major medical conditions. Pharmacological and psychological interventions are sometimes used to treat anxiety.

When to See a Doctor?

An excessively quick heartbeat (tachycardia) can result from a variety of factors . Make an appointment to see a doctor if you believe these issues arise.

• Internal ear issues. Examples include Ménière’s illness, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, and labyrinthitis.
• Damage to the head or ears.
• Head pain from migraines. These are excruciating, incapacitating headaches that frequently come with dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, noise, and odour.
• Less blood flowing through the arteries supplies blood to the brain’s base (vertebrobasilar insufficiency).
• Allergies.
• Illnesses such as the flu or colds. Home treatment of your flu and cold 
• symptoms usually will relieve lightheadedness.
• Vomiting, diarrhoea, fevers, and other illnesses that cause dehydration.
• Very deep or rapid breathing (hyperventilation).
• Anxiety and stress.

If you have chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, weakness, lightheadedness, dizziness, or near-fainting, get emergency medical attention. Many prescription and over-the-counter medications, including alcohol, can make you dizzy or cause nausea. These issues could result from the following:

• Overdosing on a medication (overmedicating).
• The drug interacts with alcohol. This issue frequently impacts.
• Older persons may take multiple medications concurrently.
• Misuse of prescription drugs or alcoholism.
• Drug overdose or withdrawal’s effects.

It is extremely common for professional athletes to have heart rates in the upper 30s (ref. link). However, in this instance, the low heart rate is due to a strong, effective cardiac pump, but the root cause is not nausea.

But for the majority of people, a heart rate in the 30s is abnormal, especially if it makes them feel weak or faint. Your low blood pressure may also be caused by your sluggish heart rate. Seek quick medical help if you are having alarming symptoms or severe vomiting. Keep a record of your symptoms, and consult your doctor if you have any questions.

It is always better to keep a check on your heart rate to avoid any emergency in future. Now keep tabs on your heart rate and overall heart health using our Frontier X2 heart monitoring device.

Frequently Asked Questions on High Heart Rate :

Can an upset stomach cause higher heart rate?

It is normal to have an increased heart rate while you are sick and in case of nausea. While sick, the brain usually signals the heart to pump the blood faster leading to an increase in heart rate (ref. link).

What is an unsafe heart rate? 

While at rest, a healthy heart rate should range between 60-100 beats per minute. Anything above 100 beats per minute, should be considered as critical and needs immediate medical attention (ref. link).

Can a high heart rate make your throw up?

 An irregular heartbeat may imply that there is not enough oxygen being supplied to the various parts of the body. The lack of blood can make one feel dizzy and nauseous resulting in throwing up.

Can heart palpitations make you vomit? 

Heart palpitations are often accompanied with nausea, vomiting, sweating and shortness of breath.

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

How To Improve Heart Health | Heart Arrhythmia |  Heart Palpitations Causes | AFib Risk Factors | Heart Attack Causes | Low Heart Rate | Atrial Fibrillation | Stress Test for Heart |  Endurance Training | Best Heart Rate Monitor

Frontier X2:

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When balancing your job, family, social obligations, and other commitments, it is understandable that you might overlook taking care of yourself. Understandable as it may be, you must schedule your time in a way that you have time for both – managing your health as well as your everyday work. 

You may find it exceedingly difficult to take care of yourself if you have a busy lifestyle. To ensure you live a long and healthy life, taking good care of yourself and your heart is vital. This article will explain how to care for your heart even if you lead a hectic lifestyle.

Tips to Be Healthy on a Hectic Schedule

1. Munch on Some Healthy Snacks While Working

Almonds or walnuts are heart-healthy, filling snacks that you can easily carry to work. They can be stored in a sealed bag for weeks before going bad, and don’t need to be refrigerated. A little planning goes a long way when sustaining heart health on a busy schedule.

Other heart-healthy snacks include the following for individuals who prefer variety:

• Vegetables and hummus
• Nuts and pumpkin seeds
• Berries and chia seeds in plain, full-fat Greek yoghurt
• Cheddar, feta, or aged gouda cheese
• Wheat-based crackers

2. Avoid Eating Junk Food

There is nothing intrinsically wrong with eating while not counting calories, but some foods are superior to others. Choose nutrient-dense foods over ultra-processed, nutrient-depleted ones. Due to excessive preservatives, artificial additives, added sugar and sodium, etc., these foods barely resemble natural foods. Additionally, they frequently strip these meals of their fibre and nutritional value.

Although we should avoid processed foods, busy schedules can be a major factor here. It is one of the main reasons why people choose to eat processed food. Foods with a high level of processing are tasty and convenient. Office-goers generally consume them on the move for that reason.

While the convenience of certain processed foods is undeniable, there are other non-processed foods that are easy and quick to access. Foods that are not processed but make for a quick snack may not be the healthiest alternative, however, compared to highly processed foods, they are far better for your heart health.

List of ultra-processed foods you should avoid:

• Soft drinks
• Fried foods
• Candy
• American-style loaf bread
• Flavoured chips

List of low-processed food you can have:

• 100% fruit juices
• Whole food meal 
• Granola bars 
• Meats and fish
• Unrefined coconut oil

3. Exercise

There is no question that sitting for long periods is detrimental to your heart and overall health (ref. link). Due to reduced blood flow to the lower limbs, there is a higher chance of blood clots , nerve pain, and vascular problems. It raises the risk of dementia, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. If you dislike exercising on a stationary bike or treadmill because it seems tedious, you should keep in mind that an hour of functional physical exercise can go a long way. Additionally, once you’re done exercising, you might get a sense of fulfilment that will spur further motivation.

Casual physical activity for 30 minutes a day won’t undo the harm that sitting for seven or more hours a day does to the body and heart. You must work out for at least an hour to repair the daily harm. Engaging in physical training at least 5 days a week is key if you have a heavily sedentary lifestyle.

4. Practice Breathing

Elevated blood pressure could become a permanent part of your health state if you are stressed for an extended period. The prevention of numerous diseases depends on stress management. Unquestionably, making long-term adjustments to your diet and exercise routine will improve how your body responds to stress. However, when you’re in a hurry and are feeling overwhelmed, nothing works better than taking a few controlled, deep breaths.

Deep breathing switches the body’s sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic nervous system (ref. link). Both systems are automatic since they are a part of your autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system can result in sweating, shivering, freezing, stuttering, digestive distress, and other unfavourable side effects of stress. It also boosts blood pressure and pulse rate. This system kicks in when you’re “stressed.”

The body is “tricked” into believing that it is time to unwind, recoup, and digest by deep breathing. Your blood pressure decreases when the parasympathetic nervous system takes over, and the other adverse effects disappear. This typically provides you some time to process your stress and find a more effective approach to handle it.

5. Routine Body Check-up

The first step in preventing heart disease is understanding your health metrics. Your body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting glucose, and cholesterol measurements are an excellent place to start. Schedule a yearly physical with your doctor. If you don’t have professional medical training, it might give you insights into how the body functions. Your doctor can compute your statistics and assess your risk for heart disease by looking at your family medical history and screening exams.

Summing-up

Better health and longevity can be attained by making small efforts toward a healthy lifestyle. Make wise decisions now to safeguard your future. Simply taking care of your heart is the key to having a healthy one. It’s never too late to make lifestyle adjustments that maintain heart health, and these heart healthy exercises can assist you.

Your heart is a muscular organ with cardiac muscles, and cardiovascular exercises help build a strong heart. Choose a regular physical activity that you enjoy, and that gets your body moving. Take part in heart-pumping physical activity, such as walking during lunch, using the stairs as opposed to the elevator, or working out for at least 30 minutes.

Finally, no matter how busy you are, keeping tabs on your heart health has never been easier due to the availability of revolutionary technology. Use the Frontier X2 heart monitoring device to ensure your heart is functioning perfectly all through your packed schedule.

FAQs

How can I tell if my heart is healthy?

The common test for a healthy heart is the blood pressure. A normal, healthy blood pressure should be below 120/80 mm Hg. Having a normal blood pressure is a sign of a healthy heart (ref. link).

How can I take care of my heart myself?

Taking out time for a short walk, eating healthy meals and getting a good night’s sleep goes a long way in ensuring that the heart functions properly and remains healthy (ref. link).

What are the signs of a weak heart? 

You should pay serious attention to your heart health if you feel easily fatigued doing mundane activities, feel out of breath while doing physical activities, have a reduced ability to endure physical exercise, suffer from rapid or irregular heartbeats, or if you notice swelling in your feet, legs or ankles.

How can I give rest to my heart? 

It is important to relax the heart and there are simple ways to do it. 

• Take a walk- if you do not engage in any form of physical exercise, a 10-minute walk is a good start. 
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables 
• Take deep breaths during the day 
• Have a hearty breakfast 
• Replace fast food and snack nibbles with nuts and dry fruits 
• Cut down on caffeine, soda, alcohol or other aerated drinks. 

What is the best exercise for the heart? 

All forms of physical exercise are good for the heart (ref. link) and help in improving the overall heart health in the long run. You can train using a combination of aerobic exercises  with strength training exercises for good heart health.

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

Arrhythmia Causes |  Heart Palpitations Causes | Heart Rate Zones | Low Heart Rate |  Heart Attack Symptoms | Atrial Fibrillation | Cardiovascular Disease | Heart Healthy Exercise | Best ECG Monitors | Aquatic Exercise for Heart Health

Frontier X2:

Smart Heart ECG Monitor in USA | ECG Machine Price in India | Best Heart Rate Monitor UK

Oxygen is vital to the human body for survival, and we depend on air (atmospheric oxygen) for breathing. But the air we inhale now consists of a combination of dust, pollen, mould, dirt, soil, and numerous other compounds that can lead to various diseases. The consequent ailments usually start with mild presentations that accumulate over time. These may result in intense manifestations, including an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The Ideal Composition of Air

Proportion of oxygen in ideal air best for health is approximately 21% (ref. link). The remaining part of the air comprises nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide. Nitrogen and argon are inert and hence redundant. Other constituents include volatile organic compounds from vegetation and natural events, such as volcanic eruptions or wildfires. The fusion of these components constitute the ideal composition of air for humans to stay healthy and devoid of diseases.

The Actual Air Quality

Currently, the air we breathe is not ideal for optimal health, with significant evidence of air pollution and global warming. Vehicles, manufacturing industries, and other human activities are the main sources of the emission of poisonous substances. Air pollution is one of the most pertinent global concerns right now. In 2019, about 12% of global deaths were attributed to household air pollution (ref. link).

A study demonstrated an increase in cardiovascular diseases from 0.5% to 1.5% (ref. link) for every boost in particulate matter as low as 5 micrograms per cubic metre. This particulate matter is invisible to the naked eye and results from chemical reactions between pollutants. For example, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide reactions are ejected from automobiles, the combustion of materials, and industrial processes. 

In 2021, the WHO released air quality guidelines (ref. link) recommending permissible concentration of pollutants. 

Why is Intoxication Through Air Highly Effective?

The absorption of harmful chemicals that enter our bodies through food or water depends on the barriers that it encounters while passing through the gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, the air that we inhale directly meets internal structures within the lungs; along the inner surface of windpipes and finally alveoli where exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs. Minimal obstacles enable the constituents, including pollutants, to enter the bloodstream.

Eventually, the blood passing through the lungs reaches every part of the body, affecting the organs. However, the heart can be the most affected (ref. link) as blood from the lungs reaches the heart before being pumped to other parts. This means to pollutants are at the highest concentration they will be at in the body, while in the heart. Mentioned below are a few ways in which the air quality can affect the heart:

• Blood Pressure

Prolonged exposure to air polluted with carbon dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure (ref. link). Many studies conclude positive correlation between pollution and high blood pressure. 

• Mechanism

Oxidative stress is one of the predominant pathways underlying cardiovascular diseases due to air pollutants. Several epidemiological and controlled exposure studies have produced strong evidence that supports the finding. Let us know more about cardiovascular events resulting from poor air quality.

• Disruption of Vascular Tone

The tone of blood vessels plays a crucial role in homeostasis, which refers to altering body functions in response to an undesirably dynamic environment or changes within the body itself. Some homeostatic responses need changes in blood vessel tone, especially arterioles. Pollutants in circulation disturb the endothelium, an interface between blood and blood vessels. This leads to the loss of endothelial response to dilators which increases the blood flow rate and reduces blood pressure. As a result, chronic cardiovascular diseases set in.

Another mechanism involves nitrogen monoxide (NO) scavenging activities of superoxide pollutants. Depleting NO and inhibiting NO-releasing vasodilators reduce vasodilation activity leading to elevated blood pressure. Many studies (ref. link) have demonstrated that individuals exposed to different types of air pollution  have higher levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress in their blood and in urine samples. 

• Atherosclerosis

Endothelial dysfunction caused by the pollutants forms the basis for another condition called atherosclerosis. Loss of endothelial function and expression of adherent molecules attract circulating inflammatory cells to the vascular walls. Inhibition of NO promotes the oxidation of lipids in the blood, and the inflammatory cells retain the resulting product. 

The accumulation of the cells and oxidised lipids form plaques that grow into the lumen. It narrows the blood vessels and increases pressure. The plaques grow and may erode or rupture. The erosion leads to a blood clot and may occlude arteries, which can lead to cardiovascular events such as a stroke or heart attack.

• Thrombosis

When you’re bleeding, the process of blood clotting is actually life saving. However, the body regulates it to prevent cardiovascular conditions caused by thrombotic obstruction of arteries. Many studies have shown pollutants to elevate activities of blood clotting factors that pose high risks for thrombosis.

• Cardiac Remodelling

The heart supplies blood to its muscles via coronary arteries. The prolonged oxidative stress due to substandard air quality alters coronary circulation and weakens cardiac muscles. It ultimately renders the heart unable to deliver blood to meet the body’s needs. The substantial loss of cardiac function is called heart failure. The organ tries to compensate for the loss of function, But it reduces contractility and pressure on the coronary artery. A meta-analysis found an association between air pollution and the incidence of heart failure.

• Myocardial Ischemia and Infarction

Conditions in coronary arteries, such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis, limit blood supply to cardiac muscles. It deprives a part of the heart muscles of oxygen, and the fibres die, which is called Myocardial Infarction (MI). Unlike cardiac remodelling, MI does not lead to heart failure shortly. Many studies have linked NO2 and PM25 exposure with risks of myocardial infarction.

Air quality has a significant influence on the heart. Respiration is an indispensable process, but is difficult to manipulate. Hence, improving the quality of ambient air and having low exposure to pollutants are the only options to safeguard your heart. Devices like air purifiers are plausible options, but only for small places like homes. 

No matter how polluted the air in your city, you can now use our revolutionary Frontier X2 heart monitoring device to make sure your heart stays healthy.

Frequently Asked Question:

What happens to the heart if we breathe in dirty air? 

Dirty or polluted air can cause various health related problems, especially in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Due to the added stress, the heart is required to work harder to pump enough blood and circulate oxygen throughout the body. The issues can be severe for people already suffering from underlying heart conditions.

Can air pollutants cause a heart attack? 

The presence of air pollutants can be damaging to the heart in more ways than one. The harmful pollutants can lead to heart diseases such as artery blockages which eventually lead to heart attacks. Further, due to oxygen deprivation there can be severe damage to the heart in the long run.

Can poor air quality cause heart palpitations? 

Air pollution and a bad air quality index directly impacts heart health. Study shows even a slight drop in the air quality can lead to increased cases of heart arrhythmias and palpitations.

How does fresh air help the heart? 

Fresh and clean air cleans the lungs and de-stresses the cardio and respiratory systems. It even helps in decreasing the heart rate.

Does air quality affect our blood pressure? 

A study has shown that poor air quality or air pollution leads to elevated blood pressure levels. People with other underlying medical conditions are more prone to be affected by high blood pressure owing to poor air quality.

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

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Arrhythmias (ref. link) are associated with an irregular heartbeat (ref. link) that can lead to severe heart issues, even potentially becoming life-threatening. Heart arrhythmias include stroke, organ failure, complete heart failure, or cardiac arrest. 

So, how to know whether or not you are experiencing a high-grade arrhythmia and need urgent treatment? Read on to find out all about life-threatening Heart Arrhythmias in this detailed guide.

Types of arrhythmias that need immediate treatment

Heart Arrhythmias are of two types (ref. link): Tachycardia (the heart beats too fast, more than 100 beats per minute) and Bradycardia (the heart beats too slow, fewer than 60 beats per minute). Most arrhythmias are not lethal and can be treated with medication and simple lifestyle changes.

However, there are cases that are often fatal and require immediate treatment. Some of these are Asystole, prolonged pauses or long QT syndrome, and ventricular arrhythmias like ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Let’s understand some of these Heart Arrhythmias in detail.

• Ventricular fibrillation 

Ventricular fibrillation or (V-fib) arrhythmia is a life-threatening condition. In this case, the patient’s ventricles start to quiver instead of pumping blood, causing the heart to collapse. Numerous factors can cause V-fib, such as poor blood flow, cardiomyopathy, damage to the heart muscle, aorta issues, and drug toxicity. Hence, it’s advisable to seek immediate medical attention at the earliest.

• Ventricular tachycardia 

Ventricular tachycardia is a type of Heart Arrhythmia that affects the ventricles, causing the heart rate to become high and unstable. In this case, pressure in the heart increases as it pumps fast, causing the fluid to back up in the lungs. This weakens the heart muscle and causes cardiac arrest. Therefore, it’s best to seek a cardiologist when needing to treat ventricular tachycardia arrhythmias.

• High-grade atrioventricular heart block (HAVB)

HAVB can result in Bradycardia when the electrical signal between the heart’s atria and the ventricles weakens. It makes the heartbeat inconsistent and often leads to a complete heart block. Therefore, patients with symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, or loss of consciousness must contact a doctor immediately.

• Asystole

Lastly, Asystole (ref. link) (a failure of electrical and mechanical activity of the heart) is the most lethal form of Heart Arrhythmia that can occur when ventricular arrhythmias worsen. It’s better to contact your family physician if you experience even minor symptoms.

What are the symptoms of life-threatening arrhythmias?

No matter how fatal Heart Arrhythmias are, patients often ignore the symptoms as they might occur for a small amount of time. Therefore, it is important to always watch out for signs like:

• A “fluttering” sensation or feeling of skipping a heartbeat 
• A sudden racing heartbeat or extremely slow heartbeat 
• Chest pain, discomfort, or sudden shortness of breath
• Dizziness, fatigue, and abnormal pounding feeling in your chest.
• Fainting and weakening of the heart muscle 

A doctor’s advice is necessary when experiencing these symptoms, as the signs might worsen over time. The patients may show unresponsiveness, lose consciousness, or have difficulty breathing. So, the earlier you can assess whether or not you are at risk of developing complications such as life-threatening Heart Arrhythmias, the better.

Risk factors that lead to high-grade arrhythmias

Consider the things mentioned in the list below to know whether or not you can experience arrhythmias. You are at risk if:

• You have a history of heart attack
• Suffer from high blood pressure
• Have an overactive or underactive thyroid
• Use alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products regularly
• Have a stressful life and suffer from sleep apnea
• Have diabetes or if you are born with a congenital heart defect

Ways to reduce the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias

Thankfully, there are several ways to reduce the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias. Some of them include avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco products, lessening excess use of Amphetamines, cold medicines, and cough suppressants, and taking medical advice while taking weight loss drugs, beta-blockers, or any psychotropic medications.

You can decrease the probability of severe conditions of arrhythmias by (ref. link)

• Lowering levels of cholesterol and high blood pressure
• Maintaining a heart-healthy diet and moderate BMI (body mass index)
• Avoiding smoking and becoming physically active

Proper diagnosis of arrhythmias to start the recovery process is equally important too!

How doctors diagnose arrhythmias 

There are various ways through which a cardiologist detects irregular heart rhythms and checks how severe arrhythmias are:

• Doctors detect the electrical activity of the heart with Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).
• A Holter monitor is a portable ECG device that doctors use to record a patient’s heart activity.
• An event recorder is another wearable ECG device that detects sporadic arrhythmias. 
• Doctors do Echocardiograms to check the heart’s size, structure and motion.

Treatment for life-threatening arrhythmias 

Medication, medical therapy, and surgery are the three options for high-risk heart arrhythmias patients. Doctors decide whether to give drugs to control heart rhythm or opt for surgery. The best thing is all the treatments show positive results and help patients retain a healthy life.

Types of surgeries to treat two life-threatening arrhythmias like Ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia include:

• Catheter ablation– In this surgery, doctors use the electrodes at the tip of a catheter to create tiny scars in the patient’s heart to block the abnormal electrical signals and restore a normal heartbeat.
• Pacemaker surgery– In case of slow heartbeats, doctors often place a pacemaker ( small device) near the patient’s collarbone to help keep the patient’s heartbeat at a steady rate when necessary.
• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) surgery- Like a pacemaker, an ICD is a battery-powered unit that sends energy shocks to reset the heart to a normal rhythm. Surgeons implant this device under the skin near the patient’s collarbone to monitor and restore their heart rhythm.
• Maze surgery– In this procedure, doctors make a series of incisions in the heart’s upper half (atria) and create a maze of scar tissue that doesn’t conduct electricity. These scar tissues then interfere with abnormal electrical impulses that cause arrhythmias.

Lastly, Coronary bypass surgery is another option for high-grade arrhythmias patients that helps improve the heart’s blood flow and prevent arrhythmias.

Bottom line

An active lifestyle and a healthy and nutritious diet are the best ways to control the symptoms of low-grade arrhythmias. However, sports enthusiasts and fitness freaks can have Atrial fibrillation (AFIB) and notice symptoms during exercising, including heart palpitations, excess sweating, dizziness, and shortness of breath. These can develop into two life-threatening arrhythmias. So, it’s advisable to schedule regular appointments with a doctor if you have symptoms that can lead to arrhythmias. 

Finally, while it used to be difficult to catch arrhythmias during daily life, our revolutionary Frontier X2 heart monitoring device and it’s continuous ECG feature will keep you secure and never let you miss an event.

Frequently Asked Questions on Arrhythmia:

What arrhythmia causes most cardiac arrests? 

Ventricular Fibrillation, or V-fib, is the most common arrhythmia that leads to a cardiac arrest. During V-fib, there is a rapid heartbeat in the heart’s left ventricle which causes the heart to dysfunction. 

What triggers an arrhythmia? 

Any situation that makes the heart work harder to pump more blood, raising the blood pressure or making the body release stress hormones, can trigger an arrhythmia (ref. link). Such situations can arise if your blood sugar levels are too low or too high, in case of increased intake of caffeine, a sudden shock or surprise or dehydration. 

Can anxiety cause heart arrhythmia? 

Stress can cause some heart arrythmias (ref. link) such as atrial fibrillation or AFib. Suffering from anxiety can elevate the severeness of an atrial fibrillation arrhythmia. 

Which arrhythmia causes sudden death?

The most fatal of the heart arrhythmias can be Ventricular Fibrillation or V-fib. During a V-fib the heart stops pumping blood. If not treated within minutes, V-fib can cause instant death. 

What should you avoid if you have arrhythmia? 

A few food and lifestyle habits have been known to aggravate the heart arrhythmia (ref. link). One must avoid (ref. link) too much caffeine, alcohol, herbal supplements, food rich in sodium and foods containing tyramine such as soy sauce and parmesan cheese. Apart from this, overeating or eating large portions of meals can also contribute to the condition. 

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

Heart Rate While Running | Silent heart attack | Heart Attack Symptoms | Heart Palpitations Causes | Increased Heart Rate | Healthy Heart Tips | Running Heart Rate Zones | Heart Attack causes | Wearable ECG Monitor | Cardio Exercise

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