Am I At Risk Of Getting Heart Arrhythmia?

Are you over 60?

Do you have high blood pressure?

Do you have an overactive or underactive thyroid gland?

Do you have diagnosed diabetes?

Do you have a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?

Do you have too high or too low levels of electrolytes in your body, such as potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium (electrolyte imbalance)?

Do you have coronary artery disease, other heart problems or previous heart attack or heart surgery?

Do you have congenital heart disease (you are born with some type of heart abnormality)?

Do you use often over-the-counter cough and cold medicines?

Do you drink alcohol only in moderation, no more than 2 drinks per day if you are a man and no more than one drink per day if you are a woman?

Are you a smoker or exposed to secondhand smoke (you live with a smoker)?

Do you find yourself in a high stress environment?

Do you have increased caffeine intake, over 400 milligrams per day (more than four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two "energy shot" drinks)?

Do you use stimulant drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines?

Do you have a family history of heart arrhythmia?

Based on your answers you have a low risk for heart arrhythmia. Heart arrhythmia is a medical condition that refers to a problem with your heart rhythm, which means that your heart beats too slowly, too fast or irregularly. Although there are certain factors that place people at risk for developing arrhythmia, anyone can develop them. To keep your risk for heart arrhythmia low, you should check your blood pressure regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet that promotes lower cholesterol levels are basic steps in keeping your heart healthy. If you smoke, start a smoking cessation program.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk for heart arrhythmia. Heart arrhythmia means that your heart is not working properly; it beats too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia) or irregularly. People with arrhythmias can live active, healthy lives without treatment, but in some cases, if not detected or treated, arrhythmias can cause serious complications. There are some risk factors that you cannot change such as your age or family history of heart arrhythmia, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing an arrhythmia. You need to consult with your doctor and work with your healthcare team to control your risk factors.

Based on your answers you have a high risk for heart arrhythmia. Heart arrhythmia is a health problem that occurs when your heart does not work properly. Your heartbeats are to slow, to fast or irregular. When your heart does not beat as it should be, it cannot pump enough blood to the body, which can cause serious complications. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing your health problems properly is a powerful way to keep your heart in good shape. Please make an appointment whit your doctor or a cardiologist for the assessment of your risk factors. Your healthcare team will develop a plan to keep your risk factors under control.