Risk factors for arrhythmia in the heart
Certain factors may increase your risk of developing arrhythmias in heart arrhythmias.
Age. Over the years, the heart muscle is weakened and lose some of its agility. This can affect the electrical impulses flowing through the heart.
Inheritance. Being born with a heart defect such as an extra electrical pathway that occurs with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, can affect the heart's electrical function.
Coronary artery disease. Narrow arteries (coronary arteries), heart attack or other heart damage can cause all kinds of arrhythmias.
Thyroid Problems. Your metabolism increases when the thyroid gland secretes too many hormones ( hyperthyroidism ). This can cause rapid or irregular heart beat and is usually associated with atrial fibrillation. Your metabolism will slow when the thyroid secretes the too little hormones ( hypothyroidism ), which can cause a slow pulse ( bradycardia ).
Drugs. There are drugs that may predispose to arrhythmias in the heart.
High blood pressure. This increases your risk of developing coronary artery disease. The high blood pressure can also cause the walls of the left ventricle thickening, which can change the line of electrical impulses to the heart.
Diabetes. Your risk of developing coronary artery disease and high blood pressure greatly increases if you have a poorly controlled diabetes. In addition, episodes of low blood sugar trigger an arrhythmia.
Electrolyte disturbances. Minerals such as potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium found in small quantities in the blood. Disturbances in the amount of these substances into the blood can trigger arrhythmias.
Obstructive sleep apnea. This sleep disorder can cause a slow pulse and bouts of atrial fibrillation.
Alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can affect factors that alter the transmission of electrical impulses in your heart, and it also increases the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Chronic alcohol abuse can impede your heart and lead to cardiomyopathy. Both these conditions can lead to development of arrhythmia.
Stimulants. Stimulants such as caffeine and nicotin may predispose to extrasystoles and may contribute towards the development of serious arrhythmias. Narcotic drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine can affect the heart strong and lead to a number of different types of arrhythmias or sudden death due to ventricular fibrillation.
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