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What Causes Heart Arrhythmia In An Elderly Person?
Question: My brother died suddenly last week at 50 from a heart arrhythmia. My older brother, 57, had heart ablation surgery last year for rhythm problems. They were not overweight and in good health. I am 55 years old, male, 5'11" 160lbs, exercise 5 days/week and in superior condition from racing cycles. However, I am concerned due to my family history and want to know what test or tests you suggest I get to have my heart checked for this type of issue.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and perform these tests:
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure
- a cardiac stress tests (also called treadmill test) to investigate for possible myocardial ischemia during physical exertion (or coronary artery disease)
- blood lab tests (complete blood count, blood lipid profile, fasting glucose, blood electrolytes) to exclude possible diabetes or dyslipidemia, which are known risk factors for coronary artery disease.
- if you have experienced any cardiac palpitations, an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia and examine your heart rhythm trends during the day.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Meanwhile, I would recommend some lifestyle modifications, which would help reduce your cardio-vascular risk:
- avoid smoking or alcohol intake
- a healthy diet (mediterranian diet would be recommended, reduce salt and caffeine intake and saturated fatty acids intake contained in red meat, butter, etc.)
- perform a lot of physical activity (it is recommended at least 4 km of walking per day).
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and perform these tests:
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure
- a cardiac stress tests (also called treadmill test) to investigate for possible myocardial ischemia during physical exertion (or coronary artery disease)
- blood lab tests (complete blood count, blood lipid profile, fasting glucose, blood electrolytes) to exclude possible diabetes or dyslipidemia, which are known risk factors for coronary artery disease.
- if you have experienced any cardiac palpitations, an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia and examine your heart rhythm trends during the day.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Meanwhile, I would recommend some lifestyle modifications, which would help reduce your cardio-vascular risk:
- avoid smoking or alcohol intake
- a healthy diet (mediterranian diet would be recommended, reduce salt and caffeine intake and saturated fatty acids intake contained in red meat, butter, etc.)
- perform a lot of physical activity (it is recommended at least 4 km of walking per day).
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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