HealthCare

How long can someone survive without a beating heart?

Surviving without a beating heart: the shocking truth

How long can someone survive without a beating heart? Well, not very long. If your heart is going so fast that it doesn't beat effectively, or it's so slow that it's not beating at all, you usually would lose consciousness within about 5 to 10 seconds. After that, if the heart rhythm is not restored, you would not be able to survive. That's the reason that sometimes doctors will implant pacemakers to either prevent the heart rate from going too slow, or defibrillators to stop a dangerous fast heart rhythm. There's one interesting caveat, and that's that there are now some implanted devices, called left ventricular assist devices, that take over the heart function and perform the beating activity of the heart, even if the heart itself is no longer beating. And people can survive now for years with those devices, sometimes waiting for a transplant and sometimes as a long-term solution for severe heart failure. But just thought I would add that as an interesting caveat.

Without a beating heart, someone would not survive very long. However, now there are devices called left ventricular assist devices that can take over the heart's function and allow someone to survive for years.

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How long can someone survive without a beating heart? Not very long. If the heart is not beating effectively or not beating at all, loss of consciousness typically occurs within 5 to 10 seconds. Without restoration of a normal heart rhythm, survival is not possible. This is why doctors may implant pacemakers or defibrillators to regulate heart rate and rhythm.

However, there is an interesting exception. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are implanted devices that can take over the pumping function of the heart, even if the heart itself is not beating. With these devices, people can survive for years, either while waiting for a heart transplant or as a long-term solution for severe heart failure. It's an intriguing development in medical technology.

What should you do if you have a high resting rate?

Uncovering the Reasons Behind a High Resting Heart Rate

What should you do if you have a high resting heart rate? Good question. A high heart rate is generally defined as a heart rate consistently over 100 beats per minute at rest. And if you notice that you may require some further workup to sort out the reason for your elevated heart rate, I generally think of two broad categories for reasons why your heart rate may be fast. If the heart rhythm itself looks normal, we would typically call it sinus tachycardia, meaning that the mechanism is normal. It's just too fast. And there's often a secondary cause for that, something like an overactive thyroid or a fever or low blood counts or anxiety. In that case, you try to identify what the underlying causes and treat that. And usually, the heart rate will get better on its own. The other category are various arrhythmias, and those are abnormal heart rhythms that can be identified and treated by an electrophysiologist. Sometimes they're due to abnormal circuits or areas of the heart that are overactive. And that can often be treated well with medications or with even an ablation procedure, but something that you would want to discuss further with your cardiologist.

If you have a high resting heart rate, you should consult your cardiologist to determine the underlying cause. Treatment may involve identifying and treating the secondary condition or working with an electrophysiologist to identify and treat any abnormal heart rhythms.

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If you have a high resting heart rate, there are a few steps you can take. A high heart rate is typically defined as consistently exceeding 100 beats per minute at rest. It's important to investigate the underlying reason for your elevated heart rate.

There are generally two broad categories for the causes of a fast heart rate. The first is sinus tachycardia, where the heart rhythm itself is normal but too fast. This can be triggered by factors such as an overactive thyroid, fever, low blood counts, or anxiety. Identifying and treating the underlying cause can often lead to an improvement in heart rate.

The second category includes various arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms. These can be diagnosed and treated by an electrophysiologist. Abnormal circuits or overactive areas of the heart may be the cause, and treatment options can include medications or an ablation procedure. It's important to discuss these options further with your cardiologist.

In summary, if you have a high resting heart rate, it's advisable to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause and explore appropriate treatment options.

As an extension to the question on afib in masters athletes: What, if anything, can masters athletes do to mitigate the prospective onset of afib?

Mitigating afib in masters athletes: adjusting exercise intensity.

What, if anything, can masters athletes do to mitigate the risk of atrial fibrillation? Well, others have discussed this at some length, but I would agree that if you have identified that you've had atrial fibrillation, it generally requires you to do some de-training, and that's something that most people are not terribly thrilled to hear about. But what you want to do is find a level of exercise that is sustainable, but that does not contribute to further arrhythmia risk. And that usually includes modifying the degree of endurance athletics that you're participating in.

Masters athletes should modify the degree of endurance athletics they participate in and find a level of exercise that is sustainable, but does not contribute to further arrhythmia risk.

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To mitigate the risk of atrial fibrillation, there are steps that masters athletes can take. If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, it often requires some level of de-training. While this may not be the most exciting news, it is important to find a balance between exercise and minimizing the risk of arrhythmia.

The key is to identify a level of exercise that is sustainable for you while avoiding activities that may contribute to further arrhythmia risk. This typically involves modifying the intensity or duration of endurance athletics that you participate in. By finding the right balance, you can help mitigate the prospective onset of atrial fibrillation.

Restoring Heart Rhythm: The Procedure You Need to Know About

What is a cardioversion? So if you've had a sustained arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm, your doctor may have discussed with you the possibility of undergoing a cardioversion. A cardioversion is a procedure used to restore normal heart rhythm. There are two forms electrical, cardioversion, in which a shock is applied to the heart, or chemical cardioversion, during which medication is used to restore normal sinus rhythm. Generally, when we're talking about cardioversion, we're talking about electrical cardioversion. Those tests are prescheduled. You'll be brought into the lab and given some sedative medications, so that you fall asleep and you're comfortable through the procedure. Procedure is relatively quick. Electrical current would be applied across the heart, and it resets the heart to normal rhythm. Following your cardioversion, you'll have to talk to your doctor about what you can do to prevent the next occurrence of your arrhythmia. And that may require catheter ablation procedures, various medications, or lifestyle modifications.

Cardioversion is a procedure used to restore normal heart rhythm by either applying a shock to the heart (electrical) or using medication (chemical). The procedure is quick and requires sedative medications, and afterwards it may be necessary to take steps such as lifestyle modifications to prevent further arrhythmia.

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A cardioversion is a procedure used to restore normal heart rhythm in individuals with sustained arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm. There are two types: electrical cardioversion and chemical cardioversion. Electrical cardioversion involves applying a shock to the heart, while chemical cardioversion uses medication to restore normal sinus rhythm.

Typically, when referring to cardioversion, it is the electrical form that is being discussed. The procedure is scheduled in advance, and you will be given sedative medications to ensure comfort and sleep during the procedure. The actual cardioversion is relatively quick, as an electrical current is applied across the heart to reset it to a normal rhythm.

After the cardioversion, it is important to discuss with your doctor how to prevent future occurrences of arrhythmia. This may involve additional procedures such as catheter ablation, medications, or lifestyle modifications.

Genetic Heart Condition: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Explained

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart condition caused by abnormalities of the genes that encode the proteins that make up the heart muscle. As a result, the heart muscle tends to grow thick. And it can be associated with symptoms including shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, syncope or passing out, palpitations or chest pain. If you've had these symptoms your doctor may look for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by performing an electrocardiogram or an ECG, that's the electrical test of the heart. And if there are any abnormalities found or if the suspicion is high, perhaps an echocardiogram or an ultrasound or even a cardiac MRI. There are treatments for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. And overall, it's quite a rare condition affecting about 1 in 200 to 1 in 500 people in the United States.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a rare genetic heart condition characterized by the thickening of the heart muscle. It can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, syncope, palpitations and chest pain. Treatment options are available, but diagnosis usually requires an ECG, echocardiogram or cardiac MRI.

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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart condition characterized by abnormalities in the genes responsible for the proteins that make up the heart muscle. This leads to the thickening of the heart muscle. Symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may include shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, passing out, palpitations, or chest pain. To diagnose this condition, doctors may perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) or other tests such as an echocardiogram or cardiac MRI if abnormalities are detected or suspicion is high. Treatment options are available for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, although it is considered a rare condition, affecting approximately 1 in 200 to 1 in 500 people in the United States.

Is it possible to stop an AFib episode at home?

Stopping AFib Episodes: Can it be done at home?

Is it possible to stop an episode of atrial fibrillation at home? Great question. Sometimes the episodes will stop on their own if you have a paroxysmal atrial fibrillation that comes and goes on its own. You can simply wait and try to ride out an episode. However, if the episodes tend to last longer, your doctor may prescribe a medication to be taken known as pill in the pocket where you carry the medication around and take a medication only as needed. The most common medications to be taken pill in the pocket are flecainide and propafenone. And usually, the first time you take a medication like that, your doctor will have you in an observed setting like the clinic or an emergency room to make sure that you tolerate the medication. If it works well, then you can be given instructions to take the medication only as needed with episodes to terminate and arrhythmia at home. So great question.

It is possible to stop an episode of atrial fibrillation at home, but it depends on the type of atrial fibrillation. Your doctor may prescribe a medication that can be taken as needed, known as "pill in the pocket" medications.

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Is it possible to stop an episode of atrial fibrillation at home? Sometimes, if you have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation that comes and goes on its own, the episodes may stop on their own, and you can wait it out. However, if the episodes tend to last longer, your doctor may prescribe a medication known as pill in the pocket. This means you carry the medication with you and take it only as needed. Common medications used in this approach are flecainide and propafenone. Typically, the first time you take such medication, your doctor will have you in an observed setting, like a clinic or an emergency room, to ensure you tolerate it well. If it works effectively, you can then be given instructions to take the medication only as needed to terminate the arrhythmia at home.

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Peter A. Noseworthy, M.D. is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Heart Rhythm Services, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine. He holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a Fellow in Cardiac Electrophysiology from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA. His research focuses on the pathophysiology and management of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, with a particular focus on identifying genetic determinants of ventricular arrhythmia, developing noninvasive means for arrhythmia risk stratification, refining catheter-based ablation techniques and studying health outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac ablation. His work aims to improve outcomes in patients with cardiac arrhythmias by identifying patients at risk of adverse events and tailoring therapies to maximize benefit.

Neither AnyQuestion nor its Experts provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or otherwise provide professional healthcare services.

Dr. Peter Noseworthy, MD