Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are a common type of arrhythmia where the upper chambers of the heart beat earlier than they should. While often benign, they can indicate a risk for more serious problems. Diet and lifestyle changes can help manage PACs, but patients should be honest with their cardiologist and seek immediate medical attention if experiencing serious symptoms.
Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are a type of cardiac arrhythmia. They are extremely common, with many people experiencing these contractions at some point in their lives. In some cases, the condition is benign, while in other cases, PACs may indicate that the patient is at risk for a more serious problem and steps may need to be taken to manage the heart rhythm. People with heart problems who experience these contractions are of particular concern.
This type of arrhythmia occurs when the atria, the two upper chambers of the heart, beat earlier than they should. Many people are not even aware that a premature atrial contraction is occurring, although some people feel the contraction as a faint heartbeat or palpitation, as if the heart has skipped a beat. With the use of an electrocardiogram (ECG) or the use of a heart rate monitor, a doctor can monitor contractions, determining how often and when they occur.
In patients for whom premature atrial contractions are a minor problem, the condition can be managed with diet. Reducing caffeine often eliminates or greatly reduces them, and other changes in diet and exercise can also be used to address the condition. Medicines to manage the heart rhythm are also available, although these are generally only used in severe cases.
In addition to diet, stress can be a major factor in the development of premature atrial contractions, as can certain lifestyle activities such as drug use or strenuous exercise. Patients should be honest about their lifestyle when interviewed by a cardiologist – they can’t get into legal trouble for disclosing something like drug use, and knowing all about a patient will help a doctor develop a diagnosis and treatment plan appropriate. Failure to disclose certain things could put a patient at risk, as a doctor will make decisions based on the information given to them.
When a patient has been diagnosed with premature atrial contractions, they will need to see a cardiologist regularly for monitoring. The cardiologist will monitor changes in heart rhythm and help the patient manage the condition so it does not get more serious. Patients should also seek immediate medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, and other symptoms of more serious cardiac events, notifying medical personnel that they have experienced PACs in the past.
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