Can Irregular Heart beat lead to sudden cardiac arrest?

By Dr S P Pradhan on 9th January, 2025

Irregular heart beat also known as arrhythmia. Normal heart rate is 72/minute.

How irregular heartbeat relates to sudden cardiac arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions and the heart stops pumping blood effectively to body organs.

Irregular heartbeats can trigger sudden cardiac arrest  through disturbances in the heart’s electrical system. When the heart’s electrical signals become chaotic or disordered, it can cause the ventricles or the heart’s lower chambers to quiver instead of contracting effectively. This chaotic activity significantly reduces the blood flow to major organs like brain , liver, heart, kidney. This manifests as cardiac arrest.

Irregular heart rate is basically two types.

1. Tachycardia- When the heart rate is above 100/minute.
2. Bradycardia- When the heart rate is below 60/minute.

Dangerous type of irregular heart beats that can cause sudden cardiac arrest:

1. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) – chaotic electrical activity of ventricles or lower chambers

2. Ventricular tachycardia (VT) – very fast rhythm from the lower chambers

3. Long QT syndrome (congenital or drug-induced)

4. Brugada syndrome

5. Severe heart block or asystole

Risk factors that can aggravate  irregular heartbeat

• Under lying heart disease or structural heart disease

• Previous heart attack

• Heart failure or weak heart muscle

• Family history of sudden cardiac death

• Electrolyte imbalance

• Uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure

How to manage Irregular Heart beats or arrhythmia?

Managing  dangerous arrhythmias involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and  medical procedures.

• Lifestyle changes like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding excessive caffeine or alcohol, and managing stress. Balanced diet include eating more vegetables and fruits with less saturated fat, low salt in diet, less carbohydrates.
• Medications like beta-blockers or antiarrhythmics can regulate the heart’s rhythm.
• In  severe cases, procedures like catheter ablation or implantable devices (like ICDs) might be needed. Regular check-up with a cardiologist is crucial for monitoring and adjusting treatment.
• Consult to cardiologist if anybody is having symptoms of irregular heart beat.
• In case of emergency, call helpline numbers in respective countries.