Your heart is basically a pump that makes sure blood reaches all over the body. It has an electrical system that allows the nerves to inform the heart when it needs to speed up or slow down. Arrhythmias occur when the heartbeat is abnormal in any way. Tachycardia is a type of arrhythmia in which the heart beats too fast. With bradycardia, the heartbeat is too slow.
Arrhythmias can cause different levels of pain and discomfort depending on how they have begun. In some cases, a person may experience no more than an uncomfortable awareness of the heart’s beat. In more extreme cases, severe chest pain may be experienced, along with shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting spells and sweating. Though these symptoms and the appearance of “palpitations” can often be harmless and the sign of a need for a change in diet or some other lifestyle habit, they can sometimes lead to life-threatening situations, including a stroke and cardiac arrest.
The different causes of arrhythmias will result in varying effects. Arrhythmias can appear after a heart attack or other instances of heart damage. They can also be an unavoidable result of congenital heart disease, meaning that heart trouble has been present since birth. An overactive thyroid gland or excessive potassium levels can lead to arrhythmias, as can overuse of certain drugs, including nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, and stimulants such as amphetamines.
When a person gets an arrhythmia, it could block, slow, or increase the heart’s electrical signals, which can result in severe pain. If you are unable to work because of this condition and would like more information about applying for Long Term Disability and/or Social Security disability benefits, call the office of Nick Ortiz at 850-898-9904 for assistance.