In some cases, arrhythmias may not require treatment. Other arrhythmias can be controlled by treating the underlying cause. Arrhythmias that cause symptoms may require one or more of the following treatments to reduce the number or duration of arrhythmic events.

         Medications. Common medications for suppressing arrhythmias include:

• Beta-blockers;
• Calcium channel blockers;
• Digitalis; and
• Antiarrhythmic agents.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Cardioversion. This procedure restores a normal heartbeat by transmitting a brief electric shock through the chest to the heart. Usually an outpatient procedure that is performed in a hospital while the patient is under heavy sedation or anesthesia, it is commonly used to treat:
• Digitalis should not be used for certain arrhythmias, such as WPW syndrome. People with atrial fibrillation are typically prescribed an anticoagulant to minimize their risk of clotting and stroke.
• Atrial fibrillation;
• Atrial flutter; and
• Ventricular arrhythmias.

• Radiofrequency Catheter ablation. A catheter with an electrode tip is positioned on the affected area. The catheter delivers energy to destroy tissue that is interfering with the normal transmission of electrical impulses through the heart. It is most commonly used for:

• SVT – Supra Ventricular Tachycardia (Pulse over 100);
• Atrial fibrillation-particularly newly diagnosed;
• Atrial flutter; and
• Certain types of ventricular arrhythmias.During a catheter ablation procedure, catheters (long wire electrodes) are advanced through the veins in the leg up to the heart.Once the SVT is diagnosed, to cure the SVT, an ablation catheter is advanced to the heart. An ablation catheter is capable of delivering small radiofrequency lesions (electrocautery burns) on the order of 4-5 mm in diameter. These radiofrequency lesions have no long-term adverse consequences. Depending on the type of SVT, these radiofrequency lesions are delivered in various locations of the heart.
• Pacemaker. A small electronic device that is surgically implanted under the skin near the collarbone. A pacemaker regulates a slow or erratic heartbeat by sending rhythmic electrical charges to the right atrium and right ventricle. Pacemakers are frequently used to treat Sick Sinus Syndrome.
• Maze procedure. A physician makes multiple incisions through the atrium. The resulting scar tissue conducts impulses through the heart’s electrical system in a way that allows normal conduction but does not sustain atrial fibrillation. Since it is a form of cardiac surgery, it is reserved for those patients who have undergone a failed catheter ablation or as an add-on for those having a surgical procedure for another condition.
• Occasionally, more complex diagnostic and ablation techniques are required for catheter ablation of SVT. This may be the case particularly in patients with other heart problems or a history of heart surgery. In such situations, sophisticated 3-dimensional mapping techniques using a balloon catheter may be used to identify the location necessary to successful ablate the SVT
• Various measurements of the electrical system are performed. If a person is in normal rhythm at the time of the procedure, an attempt is made then to reproduce the SVT by pacing the heart through the catheters. Occasionally an intravenous medicine called isoproterenol is required to “rev up” the heart in order to reproduce the SVT. Once the SVT is reproduced, the specific type of SVT can be diagnosed using the catheters in the heart.
• Catheter ablation for SVT utilizing radiofrequency ablation (electrocautery injury) was developed in the 1980’s and has since revolutionized the treatment of SVT. With catheter ablation, a procedure is performed entirely through intravenous catheters inserted into the veins in the leg and sometime the shoulder. It is a minimally invasive procedure. That is, no open heart surgery is needed. Generally, procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis. Overall cure rates with catheter ablation is >90% and can be as high as 96-98% depending on the specific type of SVT.

“Cardiac arrhythmia, also known as cardiac dysrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, is a group of conditions in which the heartbeat is irregular, too fast, or too slow.  One form of treatment can be ablation depending on the cardiac rhythm.”

Susheel K. Kodali, MD is the co-director of the Heart Valve Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/ Columbia University Medical Center.

Let’s review what ablation is again;

Ablation is simply to be used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias. The type of arrhythmia and the presence of other heart disease will determine whether ablation can be performed surgically or non-surgically.

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

Problems with the heart’s electrical system or with the muscles’ response to the signal can cause arrhythmias. Physicians have categorized arrhythmias to their type:

• Disorders of impulse generation – A signal that generates part of the heart’s electrical system other than the SA node.
• Disorders of impulse conduction – “block” the heart’s electrical impulse and prevent it from traveling its normal pathway.
• Heart attack – causes scarring of the heart, which can interrupt electrical impulses.
• People without heart disease can develop an arrhythmia for unknown causes, but risk factors can include:

• Emotional stress;
• Consumption of alcohol, caffeine, diet pills, and tobacco; and
• Some prescription medications (certain heart drugs and certain cold, cough, allergy medications and anti-depressants).
• WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The onset and duration of arrhythmia symptoms vary according to its type, frequency, duration, and whether structural heart disease is present.

Common symptoms that people experience may include:

• Palpitations (the sensation of skipped heartbeats);
• Lightheadedness;
• Shortness of breath;
• Fatigue;
• Chest pain;
• Fainting; and
• Urge to urinate. *                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           DIAGNOSIS
• Arrhythmias can be difficult to diagnose because they can be unpredictable and brief. A physician will typically take a person’s medical history, and perform a physical examination, during which the physician may detect an arrhythmia using a stethoscope. Arrhythmias that occur infrequently, last for short periods of time, or do not cause noticeable symptoms may require more detailed tests, such as:
• Certain arrhythmias may cause fainting, and, occasionally stroke, while others (‘silent’ arrhythmias) cause no symptoms.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG);
• A Holter monitor (an ambulatory ECG); and/or
• A loop ECG.QUOTE FOR THE DAY:

• Part III on Ablation tomorrow.

“Ablation uses extreme temperatures to destroy tumors or alleviate blockages and other symptoms. Ablative therapies include radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation and cryotherapy.”

“When the Twin Towers collapsed to the ground on September 11, 2001, a massive cloud of smoke, dust and debris released hazardous asbestos fibers and other toxic substances into the air. Asbestos fireproofing materials from 20 stories of the towers came showering down on New York City.”

The Mesothelioma Center

The world trade center (WTC) terrorist attact and its aftermath exposed hundreds of thousands of people to dust, debris, smoke and fumes. September 11, 2001, among rescue and clean up workers, office workers, building evacuees, and residents of lower Manhattan have shown increased respiratory and other physical health problems. Following is a outline of the most common conditions experienced by individuals exposed to the WTC attacks and their aftermath. The types of conditions are:

Upper Airway Cough Syndrome: Formerly named postnasal drip syndrome which is commonly caused by continuous irritation or infection of the sinuses and the nose either due to allergies or from environmental irritants. The signs or symptoms that arise from this are cough, nasal congestion, postnasal drip and frequent need to clear the throat.

Asthma/Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome:  Some people exposed to the WTC disaster area have developed asthma related to exposure to irritants (also called reactive airways dysfunction syndrome [RADS]). Signs and symptoms include: Shortness of Breath (SOB); chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, phlegm, possible triggering of symptoms by colds or seasonal allergies or exercise or fragrances or extremes of temperature or humidity, recurrent episodes of respiratory infections requiring antibiotic treatment.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease:    

Some people exposed to the WTC disaster developed this condition. GERD results from the flow back or return (reflux) of stomach contents into the esophagus. LPRD results from the reflux of stomach contents into the voice box or throat.

Symptoms of GERD: Heartburn, acid regurgitation, upset stomach, cough made worse with meals or at night

Symptoms of LPRD: Hoarseness or other vocal changes, sore throat, cough, sensation of having a lump in the throat

Long-Term Physical Health Concerns

There has been increased concern about sarcoidosis and cancer among individuals who were highly exposed during the WTC disaster. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in conjunction with other programs, is closely monitoring these conditions in order to detect any increases in these diseases.

At this time, there is no evidence of an increased rate of cancer among individuals highly exposed to the WTC disaster. Increased rates of sarcoidosis have been documented among fire department personnel ( Izbicki G, Chavko R, Banauch, GI, et al. World Trade Center “Sarcoid-Like” Granulomatous Pulmonary Disease in New York City Fire Department Workers. Chest. 2007;3:131;1414-1423). Rates of sarcoidosis among other groups are currently under investigation.

If you want to learn how to eat healthy with all four food groups with learning how to lose weight within your body mass index you have come to the right blog. There are 4 food groups with each group having lean, leaner and the leanest type of foods in that group of the 4. If you want to learn more about this read a book through Dr. Wayne Scott Anderson with his book “Dr A’s Habits of Health” and even foods to buy if you want them in the beginning of your diet loss which is you buying more health bars to lunches and dinners to desserts of all kinds to all types of shakes/drinks and so much more foods via Jenny Craig or Slim fast or Medifast etc… Remember though these are processed foods but may work for you in the beginning a short time in usage to help you (They are low in fat/calories/carbs). Though if you want more natural foods to help decrease your weight and healthier even Shaklee based on healthy eating foods not processed or you can do it yourself at home if you have the power to read up on and buy healthier foods lower in carbs, fats, cholesterol and calories. Learn how to become healthier for yourself, even spreading the news to family or friends who may become interested and being a great mentor for your children in helping the next generation to be more healthy which would help our health care system to helping our health economy that includes insurance payments for bills at hospitals/doctor’s offices lessened. Helping those who want to become healthier from being effected from 9/11 disaster in 2001 and even our society as a whole is a goal of this blog since it has become so unhealthy in diet causing so many increases in diseases/illnesses, including children, (Obesity, Diabetes II, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and more). Take a look at facebook or UTube with pictures of people in America shopping at Walmart. It may be funny to a some individuals but it is also outright scary with what’s happening to our country. Our country has increased drastically in poor health habits that killed our economy with let alone what our health care system with increase in insurance costs for our society. We could, as a society, turn things around for the better regarding ourselves and others in our country for everyone’s health that would impact every American citizen of all ages in a positive way. I hope I have impacted someone in this country in wanting to learn more about knowing how to become healthier with making a good change for our country as a diversified whole. Society has a responsibility and impact on how things run in each of their respective countries but especially in America, since we live in a democracy. Its common sense if we get better regarding our health overall it will put an impact on our health economy if we don’t our health care system will just get WORSE. Come on America let’s make our nation a better place to live in we have enough diseases now coming into our country. We need better control of disease. If you’re a strong person with discipline you can do this and higher odds will live a happier and more satisfying life. Do you want that and do you have what it takes? It is all in the mind.

The term chronic in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease means that it lasts for a long time. While symptoms may vary from time to time, the lungs can still have disease, therefore, COPD is for life.”

AHA American Heart Association

Chronic lower respiratory disease, primarily COPD, was the third leading cause of death in the United States in 2011.  Fifteen million Americans report that they have been diagnosed with COPD.  More than 50% of adults with low pulmonary function were not aware that they had COPD; therefore the actual number may be higher.

CDC Center for disease control and prevention