The average healthy adult has a heart rate of about 70 beats per minute, or 100,800 beats each day. Many heart conditions such as bradycardia, tachycardia, heart attack, cardiogenic shock, valve disorders, high blood pressure, blood clots, infective endocarditis and stroke, affect the normal rhythm and functions of the heart.
Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiogenic shock is a condition where the heart cannot supply enough blood for the body. According to Medline Plus, the most common causes are complications that occur during or after a heart attack. Heart rhythm irregularities, such as ventricular or supraventricular tachycardia, which is a rapid heart rate, or bradycardia, which is a very slow heart rate, are complications that can lead to cardiogenic shock. Symptoms include pale skin color, extreme sweating, rapid pulse and rapid breathing. Treatment is a medical emergency and may require the use of a defibrillator to return the heart rhythm to normal. The outlook for cardiogenic shock patients depends on how soon the condition is treated, and on the extent of damage to the heart, brain and liver.
Palpitations
Palpitations, as reported by the Cleveland Clinic, are heartbeats that cause sensations of the heart racing and fluttering, or pounding in the chest. Palpitations happen without regard to activity, or the lack of activity. Causes of palpitations include stress, fear, exercise, caffeine, some medications and medical conditions, such as low blood sugar. Palpitations may indicate other health conditions, if accompanied by difficulty breathing or confusion. Diagnostic procedures to determine the cause and seriousness of palpitations include an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress test and lab studies of the blood and urine.
Sick Sinus Syndrome
The sinus node, located in the atrium, or upper chamber of the heart, is the heart's natural pacemaker. Sick sinus syndrome indicates that a problem exists with the heart's rhythm. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that sick sinus syndrome includes three specific rhythm irregularities: sinus bradycardia, tachycardias and bradycardia-tachycardia rhythms. Sinus bradycardia is a slow heart rate, tachycardia is a fast heart rate and bradycardia-tachycardia is an alternating between slow and fast rhythms. The most common types of sick sinus syndrome are sinus bradycardia and tachycardias such as supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia. Treatment options include a pacemaker for a slow heart rate, and medications for a fast heart rate.
Aortic Aneurysm
An aortic aneurysm is a weakened area in the walls of the aorta, the largest artery in the body, according to Cedars-Sinai. The location on the aorta, the size, and the shape of the aneurysm defines the type of aortic aneurysm. People at risk for developing an aortic aneurysm include those involved in a car accident, those who have experienced a fall, those with high blood pressure or someone who is a smoker. Treatment for a high-risk aneurysm includes surgery and a graft to repair the affected area of the aorta.
