World Heart Rhythm Week 2021 June 7 – June 13
World Heart Rhythm Week is an annual event which will run between the 7th – 13th June in 2021. This is organised by the Arrhythmia Alliance, a coalition of patients, charities and professionals who work together to promote effective diagnosis and treatment of heart arrhythmia (a disorder affecting the rhythm of the heartbeat). The aim of World Heart Rhythm Week is to raise awareness of the symptoms of heart arrhythmia in both the general public and medical profession.
During the week, the Arrhythmia Alliance is asking its supporters to help spread the word by sharing information on social media, displaying information in public places, hosting awareness activities or simply making a donation.
Throughout the community, on these dates, there will be extra information about heart arrhythmia on display in GP surgeries, schools and community centres. There will also be activities such as the Pulse Check Challenge at health centres and community groups and fundraising events such as quiz nights, cake sales and coffee mornings.
Further information about Heart Arrhythmia and World Heart Rhythm Week can be found at www.arrhythmiaalliance.org.uk
Heart arrhythmia
Heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) occur when the electrical impulses that coordinate your heartbeats do not work properly, causing your heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly.
Heart arrhythmias may feel like a fluttering or racing heart and may be harmless. However, some heart arrhythmias may cause bothersome — sometimes even life-threatening — signs and symptoms.
Heart arrhythmia treatment can often control or eliminate fast, slow or irregular heartbeats. In addition, because troublesome heart arrhythmias are often made worse — or are even caused — by a weak or damaged heart, you may be able to reduce your arrhythmia risk by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.
What is a normal heartbeat?
Your heart is made up of four chambers — two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). Your heart rhythm is normally controlled by a natural pacemaker (sinus node) located in the right atrium. The sinus node produces electrical impulses that normally start each heartbeat. These impulses cause the atria muscles to contract and pump blood into the ventricles.
The electrical impulses then arrive at a cluster of cells called the atrioventricular (AV) node. The AV node slows down the electrical signal before sending it to the ventricles. This slight delay allows the ventricles to fill with blood. When electrical impulses reach the muscles of the ventricles, they contract, causing them to pump blood either to the lungs or to the rest of the body.
In a healthy heart, this process usually goes smoothly, resulting in a normal resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats a minute.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-arrhythmia/symptoms-causes/
