Prevention and Treatment of Arrhythmia

Do you need treatment?

Most abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias, are considered harmless and are left untreated. Once your health care professional has documented that you have an abnormal heart rhythm, they will need to find out whether it’s abnormal or just reflects the heart’s normal processes. They will also find out whether your arrhythmia is clinically significant – that is, whether it causes symptoms or puts you at risk for more serious abnormal heart rhythms or complications of arrhythmias in the future. If your arrhythmia is abnormal and clinically significant, a treatment plan will be developed. View an animation of arrhythmia.

Treatment goals

• Prevent blood clots from forming to reduce stroke risk, especially for people with atrial fibrillation (AFib).
• Control your heart rate within a relatively normal range.
• Restore a normal heart rhythm, if possible.
• Treat heart disease/condition that may be causing arrhythmia.
• Reduce other risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Living with arrhythmias

Taking medications

• Take all medications exactly as prescribed.
• Never stop taking any prescription medication without talking to your health care professional.
• Tell your health care professional about any side effects you have.
• Tell your health care professional about all your other drugs and supplements, including over-the-counter medications and vitamins. Track your medications with a printable log (PDF).

Monitor your pulse

You should know how to take your pulse, especially if you have an artificial pacemaker.

• Put the second and third fingers of one hand on the inside of the wrist of the other hand, just below the thumb OR on the side of your neck, just below the corner of your jaw.
• Feel for the pulse.
• Count the number of beats in one full minute.
• Keep a record of your pulse along with the day and time taken and notes about how you felt at the time. Use our blood pressure/pulse tracker (PDF).

Certain substances can contribute to an abnormal heartbeat, such as:

• Smoking
• Long-term excessive alcohol use
• Medications used to treat certain mental illnesses
• Medications to treat abnormal heart rhythms. The same medicines used to treat arrhythmias can also cause abnormal heart rhythms. Your health care team will monitor carefully if you're taking these medications.
• Beta blockers for high blood pressure
• Illegal drugs such as cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines

If you're being treated for arrhythmia and use any of these substances, be sure to discuss this with your health care professional.

Manage your risk factors

Having certain arrhythmias increases your risk of heart attack, cardiac arrest and stroke. Work with your health care team and follow their instructions to control other risk factors:

• Reduce high blood pressure
• Control cholesterol levels
• Lose excess weight
• Eat a heart-healthy diet
• Avoid tobacco smoke and vaping
• Enjoy regular physical activity

Take it one day at a time

The best thing you can do is to follow your treatment plan and take things one day at a time. Sometimes you may feel that you don’t get the support you need and that the people around you aren’t very understanding. That’s common because others don’t easily see your symptoms. It’s hard for them to understand that you might be struggling to function normally. Help others to understand by educating them about your condition and by asking for support to help follow your treatment program.