Let’s begin our discussion by exploring a cardiovascular condition that may precede cases of heart attacks: ischemia. In medical terms, ischemia refers to reduced blood flow to an organ or tissue, causing a lack of oxygen in that area of the body. Symptoms include sudden and severe pain and numbness in specific body parts due to inadequate blood flow. When referring to the cardiovascular system, this lack of blood flow occurs in the coronary arteries, typically from atherosclerosis - cholesterol buildup in a blood vessel. Left untreated, ischemia can silently progress to the point where the heart muscle dies, at which point the condition becomes a myocardial infarction, colloquially known as a heart attack. Myocardial infarction occurs when the blood supply to the heart is severely reduced or completely blocked, resulting in the damage or even death of certain parts of the organ. Symptoms of this condition include extreme tightness of the chest, heartburn, and/or pain radiating to the back shoulder area. With the proper timely treatment, however, ischemia may not progress to the serious damage and death seen in heart attacks, which will be the focus of the next paragraph. 

Effectively, preventive measures for myocardial infarction and ischemia can be separated into lifestyle choices and medical interventions. Some lifestyle choices include eating healthy meals, exercising effectively, and avoiding tobacco and sugary foods. Practicing these habits can significantly lower the risk of damage to one’s cardiovascular system, and greatly reduce one’s chance of death. From a more medical point of view, routine check-ups are vital to preventing and detecting potential warning signs of cardiovascular disorders. Regarding ischemia, the preferred treatment is often to increase blood flow to the ischemic area by simply increasing the oxygen delivered. In the case of a major issue, providers will often directly intervene using techniques like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), which are potent ways to open up blocked vessels. 

In conclusion, understanding the profound impact of cardiovascular disease on mortality rates in the United States is crucial for individuals seeking a long and healthy life. The primary culprits, ischemia and myocardial infarction, can be life-threatening; however, they may ultimately be preventable through timely interventions. With myocardial infarction and ischemia claiming thousands of lives each year, protecting oneself and loved ones from these conditions is a crucial responsibility that cannot be ignored.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm 

Following our article on myocardial infarctions and ischemia, there are many other threatening cardiovascular conditions that humans can suffer, including this editorial’s topic: supraventricular arrhythmia- atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. Similar to other cardiovascular diseases (CVD), these conditions can profoundly impact an individual’s quality of life and, if left untreated, can lead to severe consequences. As a result, familiarizing oneself with these disorders is crucial in enhancing one’s quality of life. 

Supraventricular arrhythmia is a general cardiovascular term that describes conditions characterized by abnormal heart rhythms originating above the ventricles, as the prefix “supra” - meaning above or over - suggests. An example of supraventricular arrhythmia is atrial flutter, a condition in which the atria beat regularly but more rapidly than usual due to problems in the heart's electrical system. Even though the heart beats at a regular rhythm, it is beating faster than usual because the atria beat significantly quicker than the ventricles, which may lead to individuals experiencing four atrial beats to every one ventricular beat. Some cases of atrial flutter may elicit no symptoms, while other individuals may experience signs of palpitations, chest pain, or dizziness. In general, an arrhythmia categorized by an irregularly fast or erratic heartbeat, originating in areas above the ventricles of the heart is known as a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). If we imagine the heart as a pump as we did in Anatomy and Physiology Part I: Overview of the Human Heart, the “pump” requires consistent and constant electrical impulses from the heart itself, specifically from the sinoatrial node (SA node) region, to function properly. When these impulses are neither consistent nor constant, the heart can fail to pump out blood properly.

Another form of supraventricular arrhythmia is known as atrial fibrillation, a condition categorized by an irregular beating of the atria, usually both in period and strength. The irregular beating pattern of the heart during atrial fibrillation distinguishes it from atrial flutter, which is when the atria beat regularly but more rapidly than normal. Atrial fibrillation is caused by the abnormal origin of electrical impulses; in other words, instead of originating from the SA node, the electrical impulses come from many locations outside the SA node in the upper chambers. Disorganized electrical signals cause the chambers of the heart to beat irregularly, reducing the organ’s function. Some individuals with atrial fibrillation report feelings similar to symptoms of atrial flutter, including dizziness, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. 

Fortunately, in today’s world, different forms of supraventricular arrhythmia are managed through medications or specific technological interventions. The medicines used to treat these conditions are often beta-blockers, which help to decrease the rate of rapid heartbeat. Other interventions include electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation, both of which directly influence electrical signals to restore proper heart function. Ideally, avoiding invasive surgical interventions to manage abnormal heart rhythms is optimal, underscoring the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. One of the largest components of a healthy lifestyle is your diet (emphasized by the age-old saying, “You are what you eat”), to which heart-healthy foods help significantly. Some that are recommended for daily diets include whole grains, tomatoes, olive oil, and fat-free dairy products like yogurt. We will further delve into the treatments and preventive measures for atrial fibrillation and flutter in our next article.

In conclusion, the various forms of supraventricular arrhythmia are dangerous but preventable. By reading this article, we hope that you will be more informed on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from these conditions, becoming closer to living a healthy, worry-free life.