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What causes arrhythmias? what causes arrhythmias? what causes arrhythmias? what causes arrhythmias?

A patient with arrhythmias may experience a number of symptoms, including an irregular heartbeat, an occasional forceful or rapid beat, a feeling of lightheadedness or actual fainting. Pacemakers represent one extreme end of a whole spectrum of treatments for arrhythmias. Typically, these can include anything from simple reassurance and suggestions for lifestyle modifications (see box, p 4) to drugs and various implantable devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators.

Treatment options should be based on what causes the arrhythmia in the first place - for instance:
* Stimulants, such as caffeine, tobacco and alcohol, can interfere with the coordinated beating of the heart muscle, often causing extra beats
* Recreational drugs, like cocaine, which can make the heartbeat fatally fast in some instances
* An overactive thyroid gland, which can cause certain rhythm disturbances
* Certain prescribed and over-the-counter medications
* An acute heart attack, which is also a common cause of fatal arrhythmias. Indeed, it is not entirely clear whether arrhythmias are the risk factor for heart failure or whether heart failure can lead to fatal arrhythmias.

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Alternative treatments for arrhythmias - For many people, an irregular heartbeat is just an annoyance, but certain arrhythmias may have serious consequences, ranging from fainting to sudden d...

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Nsaids and diuretics causing heart failure - Doctors may be increasing the risk of heart failure among older patients if they are mixing diuretics with NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory dru...

Oral antifungals associated with heart failure - Oral and intravenous forms of the antifungal itraconazole (Sporanox) have been found to lead to an increased risk of congestive heart failure. ...

Digoxin doesn’t help against heart failure - Digoxin, the heart drug derived from digitalis, has now been comprehensively shown to be ineffective in heart failure, according to a study of nearly...

Heart attack: deadly drugs - Heart attack patients given antiarrhythmic (irregular heartbeat) drugs are more likely to die. ...

Appetite Suppressants: They cause heart failure, doctors discover - Anti-obesity drugs and appetite suppressants are causing heart attacks, doctors have discovered. All the patients had been healthy, with no history of...

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Join the What Doctors Don't Tell You community now - and be informed for when it really matters

What causes arrhythmias? what causes arrhythmias? what causes arrhythmias? what causes arrhythmias?

Join the What Doctors Don't Tell You community now -
and be informed for when it really matters