The heart, a strong muscular pump slightly larger than a fist, generates rhythmic electrical impulses that keep blood flowing continuously throughout the body. When this rhythm is disrupted, arrhythmias occur — sometimes harmless, sometimes life-threatening. Irregular, too-fast, or too-slow rhythms impair cardiac efficiency, compromising oxygen delivery to organs like brain and lungs.
Possible causes: congenital heart disease, hypertension, alcohol/caffeine abuse, electrolyte imbalance, stress, medication-induced arrhythmia, sleep apnea, heart failure, valve disease, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, myocarditis/pericarditis, smoking, drug use.
Prevention includes: a balanced, low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes; regular exercise; monitoring cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar; checking blood pressure routinely; no smoking; maintaining healthy weight; and managing stress through relaxation, yoga, meditation, or flower essences.