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Apnea may cause irregular heart rhythm

Written by: David Castillo on January 25th, 2011
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irregular heart rhythm
Apnea may cause irregular heart rhythm  | read this item

Intermountain Southwest Cardiology Dr. Jaime Molden warns the public of a common misconception regarding irregular heart rhythms. She explains that it is not merely an occurrence due to coronary artery blockage or heart attack. Instead, the doctor says that a lot of cardiac arrhythmias are simply “stand-alone problems.”

Molden adds that other than the common cause, which is structural heart disease, a lot of other factors can play a part in irregular heart rhythm. These are high blood pressure, genetics, obesity and chronic lung disorders, stress and sleep apnea. Also included in the list of suspects are hormonal imbalances due to thyroid-related issues.

According to Molden, the most common and complicated form of irregular heart rhythm is atrial fibrillation, wherein electrical impulses in the heart are out of sync. Thus, management of chronic issues such as obstructive sleep apnea and high blood pressure in addressing atrial fibrillation is highly recommended as a first step.

Source: TheSpectrum



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