What is an arrhythmia examination?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Pham Van Hung - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Cardiac arrhythmias are becoming more and more common and tend to be younger, if previously the disease only appeared in the elderly, now it appears in young people as well. If not detected and treated promptly, the disease can seriously affect health, even life-threatening. So what are the symptoms of arrhythmia that need to be examined and what is an arrhythmia examination?

An arrhythmia is an abnormality in pacing or electrical conduction in the chambers of the heart, leading to outward manifestations such as tachycardia (>100 beats/min), or heart rate. slow (< 60 beats/min), irregular or fast, slow,...

Cardiac arrhythmias make the heart's pumping activity less efficient, thereby causing symptoms such as:
Symptoms of palpitations, palpitations: this is the most common symptom, the patient feels like a heart pauses for a moment followed by a strong, “punch”-like beating in the chest. Heart rate faster or slower than normal. Feeling tired, short of breath, short of breath. Chest pain: this is a dangerous sign of arrhythmia, often appearing in patients with other cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease,... Feeling dizzy, dizzy . There may be fainting or near fainting. Sweating.

When we see any of the symptoms of an arrhythmia mentioned above, we need to see an arrhythmia doctor to detect heart problems at the earliest. Cardiac arrhythmia examination includes:
Cardiology examination: Cardiologists will conduct a clinical examination of the patient. Specifically, the doctor will examine and check the following factors:
Blood pressure: check if the blood pressure is normal or not? Heart rate: check what is the heart rate, normal or fast or too slow. Auscultation: Through listening to the heart, the doctor can detect abnormal heart sounds (if any). Do laboratory tests:
Test total analysis of peripheral blood cells. Blood biochemical test, determine the indicators: Quantitative Glucose Quantitative Cholesterol Quantitative Triglyceride. HDL-C quantification. LDL-C quantification. Quantification of Creatinine. Urea quantification. Electrolyte (Na, K, Cl). Quantification of total calcium. Prothrombin time. Activated partial thromboplastin time. Quantification of CRP hs. Quantification of FT3, FT4, TSH

Urinalysis test. Electrocardiogram (electrocardiogram). Holter electrocardiogram. Echocardiography. Straight chest x-ray (cardiopulmonary x-ray). Conclusion: Based on the clinical examination and laboratory test results, the doctor will make a conclusion about the patient's arrhythmia status and the appropriate treatment direction.

Currently, there are many methods of treating arrhythmia. Depending on the condition of each patient, the doctor can use one or a combination of methods, according to the following general principles:
First, it is necessary to remove the cause of the arrhythmia such as stimulants , a number of therapeutic drugs,... Treatment of underlying diseases such as: cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes,... Using antiarrhythmic drugs such as calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, digoxin,... Use methods to reduce heart rate (in case of tachycardia) by pressing and rubbing the carotid sinus, Valsalva maneuver, eyeball press,... School In case of severe arrhythmia or unresponsive to medical treatment, other methods can be used such as: pacemaker placement, electrocardiographic shock, electrophysiological ablation, surgery. Cardiac arrhythmias can seriously affect health, even lead to death if not detected and treated promptly. Examination for arrhythmia includes a physical examination of the heart and laboratory tests necessary to diagnose the disease, determine the cause and extent of the disease. From there, specialists will choose the right treatment method for each patient.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is having a Cardiac Arrhythmia Checkup Package with the implementation of a team of highly specialized, experienced doctors and the support of a system of modern and advanced machines, which will help diagnose Preventive screening of cardiovascular diseases with subjects with cardiac arrhythmias gives the most accurate results