2021-04-26 16:54:52
Due to the progressive aging of the population, cardiac arrhythmias are becoming a growing health problem in developed countries. Atrial fibrillation already affects between 2 and 3% of the population in Europe and North America. Cardiac arrhythmias cause more than one hundred thousand deaths a year in the world. In particular, they are closely related to the dreaded sudden death, which causes half of the deaths due to cardiovascular disease, and 15% of all deaths worldwide.
As the name suggests, cardiac arrhythmias involve an abnormality in the rhythm of the heartbeat. Four different types of arrhythmias have been identified, which are caused by different problems in the heart. First, we have premature beats, which can originate in both the atria and ventricles of the heart. These arrhythmias are the least dangerous, and can appear as a result of excessive consumption of nicotine, caffeine or excessive stress. Supraventricular tachycardias are another type of arrhythmias characterized by excessively fast heartbeats that are caused by inappropriate electrical activity in the upper part of the heart. Ventricular fibrillation, or ventricular arrhythmias, are characterized by excessively rapid contraction of the heart’s ventricles, located in the lower part of it. This can lead to cardiac arrest. The heart tries to pump blood so fast that the normal cycles required for it to fill and empty the blood cannot be completed, resulting in a serious decrease or even stoppage of blood flow. In the absence of treatment, this situation leads to death. Finally, the fourth type of arrhythmias is made up of bradycardia, or arrhythmias characterized by an excessively slow heart rate. This type of arrhythmias does not usually cause symptoms until the heart rate falls below fifty beats per minute.
Each type of arrhythmia, and its different subtypes, which would take too long to talk about here, have different causes. In all cases, however, arrhythmias are caused by a defect in the heart’s autonomous electrical activity. Identifying where the defect that leads to a specific arrhythmia has occurred is essential to determine the correct treatment of these.
To enlighten us about arrhythmias and their diagnosis and treatment, today we spoke with Andrew Clementresearcher of Institute ITHACA, from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, in Spain. Dr. Climent has developed a new heart analysis device without the need for surgery or any invasive procedures. This device, called Acorys, allows a better diagnosis of the different types of arrhythmias. Dr. Climent has recently founded a company, called Corify Care, which intends to commercialize this device and roll it out to hospitals in the immediate future. As if this activity for the benefit of society were not enough, Dr. Climent has also been the main promoter of the initiative Science in Parliament, which aims to establish a permanent Scientific Advice Office for the legislative power in Spain, that is, for all political parties and groups that are part of the Spanish Parliament, whatever their ideology or political position. The office will be operational in the coming months, and it is undoubtedly good news to try to ensure that science and knowledge are taken into account when making decisions about the drafting of laws that regulate our coexistence.
References:
#Cienciaes.com #Cardiac #arrhythmias #Science #Parliament #speak #Andreu #Climent