What is arrhythmia? It is a heart rhythm problem.
Arrhythmia is an abnormal rhythm of the heart. It might beat too fast for some and too slow for others.
The normal range for a healthy heart-rate is considered to be in the 60-100 beats per minute (bpm). This is the average number of time the heartbeats per minute.
Doctors may say the electrical impulses of the heart are firing to soon or too late.. technical terms when they give you an EKG. This may be useful to know but you are unlikely to get any treatment outside of don’t worry about it or take this drug to manage it. Try to go the non-drug route as described below.
There are two basic kinds of arrhythmia. Bradycardia is when the heart rate is too slow – less than 60 beats per minute. Tachycardia is when the heart rate is too fast – more than 100 beats per minute.
Most arrhythmia are harmless, but some can be serious or even life threatening. When the heart rate is too fast, too slow, or irregular, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. Lack of blood flow can damage the brain, heart, and other organs.
Pacemakers are sometimes implanted in people when the arrhythmia doesn’t respond well enough to medication. Pacemakers help the heart beat more rhythmically.
Heart arrhythmia can arise suddenly and be temporary or be a chronic problem if the underlying cause is not managed. Some heart rhythm problems seem innocent enough but may become bothersome.
Heart Rhythms
The heart rate changes constantly. You may measure your pulse rate and determine your heart rate is 75 beats per minute. This would be an average heart rate.
A more accurate way to look at your heart-rate is to look at your heart rate variability, or your heart rhythms graphed over time.
The image above shows a persons heart rhythms (HRV) when graphed on an affordable consumer bio-feedback device called the emWave.
The heart rate variability reading is similar in ways to an EKG. Both read the electrical activity in the heart. The EKG looks at the time it takes for an electrical signal to go through the pumping chambers of the heart.
HRV, on the other hand, looks at the beat-to-beat changes in your heart-rate. This is where Arrhythmia problems can occur so it is helpful to see your own heart rhythms and to learn ways to change them to a state called heart coherence.
What is arrhythmia? A state where your heart rhythms are not regular by beating too fast or too slow.
What is Heart coherence? It is a state where your heart rhythms are smooth and balanced as seen on the right side of the chart above.
There are simple breathing and concentration techniques you can do to generate heart coherence in your body throughout the day.
These practices can make your heartbeat slower and more regular. This should really help you with any arrhythmia problems you may have. It is certainly worth trying and with a bio-feedback device you can even see your arrhythmia and feel it go away with practice.
Make Your Heartbeat Slower and More Regular
Here’s an action plan for you or anyone who has asked what is arrhythmia and how can I get rid of it.
- Practice Relaxation Breathing. Breathing is the key to self-healing and this includes arrhythmia.
- Learn heart breathing which is similar to relaxation breathing and brings your heart to the center of your life.
- Buy an emWave heart-rate biofeedback device and get HRV training that will teach you how to regulate your heart rhythms and achieve cardiac coherence. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
- Buy a meditation course that incorporates heart rate variability training into the meditations. All of our courses are heart rhythm friendly!
All the above practices create smoother heart rhythms. This is known as heart coherence or entrainment. Your heartbeat will slow and become more regular.
Smooth heart rhythms are good for your heart and may eliminate your arrhythmia. Even if this doesn’t completely eliminate your arrhythmia you will reduce the severity of it I am confident.
Always check with your doctor to verify your specific medical condition and do let them know that you are trying mind-body practices to deal with the issue. Many doctors are starting to realize the benefits of mind-body practices and will be supportive.
A doctor understands arrhythmia. However, it is up to you, the patient, to advocate for mind-body practices as another way to help maintain your heart health. You may not want another drug to take because of this problem.
Mind-body practices are cheaper and than surgery and non-invasive. There’s alot to be gained by trying some of the recommended practices on this website.
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