“Can arrhythmia cause a heart attack?”
I am a 49 year old male and I have heart arrhythmia. Can arrhythmia cause a heart attack?
7 Answers
The simple answer is no. However, we need to find out specifics about the arrhythmia. As I answered before in a previous post the word "Arrhythmia" is very generic.
Yes
It depends on the arrhythmia. A supra ventricular arrhythmia involving the atrium, atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation is unlikely to cause a heart attack although the latter if very rapid or for an extended period will stress your heart which can, in turn, cause a heart attack. A ventricular arrhythmia, however, is much more harmful and can be fatal, both of which can be the result rather the cause of a heart attack. Both require immediate defibrillation by electric paddles to prevent imminent death.
You should be seen by cardiologist & check your coronary arterial system. If there is a blockage, arrhythmia may cause heart attack. Otherwise get treatment for arrhythmia & you should be fine.
Heart attack is caused by an obstruction of a coronary artery that provides blood flow to your heart muscle, which can lead to arrhythmias. Certain heart arrhythmias can be fatal, but not by necessarily by causing a heart attack, they just make your heart muscle not pump very well. As someone who as arrhythmias, you should see a cardiologist who can do a necessary work-up to figure out why you are having certain arrhythmias and also assess your coronary arteries and heart muscle function.
It is a possibility in some situations.
Yes, by lowering the blood pressure or breaking off small clots that embolise to coronaries.
