Let's learn more about antiarrhythmics, medications used to treat irregular heartbeats.

Have you ever felt like your chest suddenly started pounding for no reason? Or a strange feeling like your heart stopped and then started again? For some people, this feels like the rhythm of your heart is disturbed. In medical terms, we call these conditions irregular heartbeats, or 'arrhythmias'. Although this is common for many people, sometimes it can be serious. So, there is a special type of medicine that doctors prescribe to restore this heart rhythm. That is what we are going to talk about in this article today, very simply and in a way that you can understand.

First, let's see what this irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) is.

To understand this, we first need to know a little about how the heart works. Imagine that your heart is a pump powered by a small electrical system. This electrical system is what gives the heart muscles the signals to contract, that is, to contract. When the heart contracts and expands in this way, blood is pumped throughout the body. We call this a heartbeat. So, what happens if there is a problem or malfunction in that electrical system that I mentioned? Then the rhythm of the heart beats is disrupted. That means:

• The heart rate may increase too much. (We call this Tachycardia)
• The heart rate may become too slow (this is called bradycardia).
• The heart can beat irregularly, without any rhythm.

We commonly call any such condition an arrhythmia . Atrial Fibrillation , Atrial Flutter , and Ventricular Tachycardia are some of the most common types of such irregularities.

So what are these antiarrhythmics?

Simply put, antiarrhythmics are drugs that are given to control, prevent, and treat the above-mentioned heart rhythm disorders. These drugs mainly correct the defect in the heart's electrical system and bring the heart back to a normal, healthy rhythm. These drugs mainly work in two ways: 1. They stop the abnormal, extra electrical signals that are generated in the heart. 2. They prevent or control the abnormally fast electrical signals from traveling through the heart tissue. Most often, these drugs are given to you by your doctor as pills to take daily. However, in some emergency situations, if the patient is unable to take pills or if the condition is serious, they are also given as intravenous (IV) medication.

How do these medications work? Let's see.

These antiarrhythmic drugs are not all the same. They are divided into several main categories based on how they work. Your doctor will choose the most suitable drug for you based on the type of irregularity you have and the cause of it. Let's take a look at what these main types are and how they work.

What are the benefits of using this medicine?

If you have an arrhythmia, these medications can greatly reduce the discomfort you feel. They can also help prevent serious complications that can occur due to this condition. The main symptoms that these medications control are:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Dizziness and feeling like you're spinning.
• Fainting (loss of consciousness)
• Heart palpitations
• Difficulty breathing

When these symptoms are controlled, your daily life becomes much easier. These medications also help reduce the risk of serious conditions such as heart failure , cardiac arrest, and stroke .

Let's also be aware of the risks and side effects, right?

Like any medication, these antiarrhythmic medications can have certain risks and side effects. It is very important to be aware of this. Your doctor and cardiologist will check you regularly. If you develop any new symptoms, they may decide to change your medication dosage or switch you to another medication.

Commonly seen side effects:

Some people may experience side effects like these when taking this medicine:

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Excessive thirst
• Skin changes ( redness , dryness)
• Headache
• Nausea
• Hearing a ringing in the ears (Tinnitus)
• Sun sensitivity (skin turns red easily)
• Edema
• Difficulty urinating
• Vision changes
• If you have asthma, it may increase.

If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.

Overdose

Never take more of these medications than your doctor has prescribed . Taking more can be very dangerous. Overdose can cause serious conditions such as:

• Confusion
• Damage to heart tissue
• Respiratory Arrest
• Sedation
• Seizures
• Falling into a coma

If you or someone you know has taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . For more information, you can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital.

Can there be problems with other medications? (Drug Interactions)

Yes, absolutely. These antiarrhythmic drugs can interact with other medications you are taking and cause problems. Therefore, before your doctor prescribes this medication, it is essential that you tell him or her about everything you are taking. This includes:

• Medicines for other diseases
• Skin care creams
• Inhalers
• Over-the-counter medications
• Vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements
• Ayurveda or herbal medicine etc.

If your doctor is aware of all the medications you are taking, he or she can prescribe the safest medication for you. Also, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor before starting this medication.

How long do I need to take this medicine?

Often, these medications need to be taken long-term. Sometimes, they may need to be taken for the rest of your life. You should continue to take them as your doctor tells you, as long as the medication is working and you don't have any serious side effects. Antiarrhythmics, Heartbeat, Arrhythmia, Chest Beat, Heart Rhythm, Beta blockers, Heart Disease, Atrial Fibrillation, Sinhala medical article