Do the changing seasons affect arrhythmia?

Highlights:

• The transition between seasons and arrhythmia
• Are there blood pressure monitors which detect arrhythmia? 

While watching a movie or going out for a walk, out of nowhere, your heart skips a beat or speeds up its rhythm. However, this sudden change is not related to what's going on in the movie or your walk. It is most likely an arrhythmia. 
 
Arrhythmias can generally be described as deviations from the normal heart rhythm, regardless of pulse rate. Typically our hearts speed up their rhythms during physical activity and slow down when resting and while sleeping. If your regularly observe deviations from your normal heart rate, it may be a sign that your heart is not doing a good enough job of supplying blood to your body. Arrhythmia is treatable and manageable with medication, lifestyle changes and regular blood pressure and pulse monitoring. 
 
Arrhythmia varies depending on which part of the heart is leading this change, and whether it is causing a slow, rapid or irregular pulse.     

Arrhythmias causing slow, rapid or irregular pulse  

• Bradycardia - when the resting heart rate is slower than 60 beats per minute. In some people, this type of pulse is normal  
• Tachycardia - is associated with a rapid pulse and resting heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute, often leading to an irregular heart rhythm.  
• Premature heartbeats - characterized by a single beat, a pause, and a stronger beat when the heart returns to its usual rhythm. It feels like skipping heartbeats and is among the most common types of arrhythmia. 
• Atrial fibrillation - affects one in four people over the age of 40. Heart rate can exceed 400 beats per minute, with no synchronicity between the work of the atria and the chambers of the heart. Commonly leads to poor blood supply, increased risk of clots and higher risk of stroke.  
• Atrial flutter - similar to fibrillation, with a heart rate of about 250 to 300 beats per minute. It is usually associated with a blocked or impaired signal to the atrium, which is the cause of an asynchronous heart rhythm. 
• Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia - an arrhythmia with a sudden acceleration of the pulse, it begins and subsides quickly and can occur with physical activity or stressful situations. 

Arrhythmias that come from the heart chambers can be dangerous and usually need immediate medical attention. 

• Ventricular tachycardia - is characterized by a rapid and regular rhythm, may last a few seconds or be more prolonged. In the case that the heart is healthy and the attack is short it does not pose an immediate danger to health, but for people with hypertension and other chronic diseases it can be the cause of serious cardiac incidents.
• Ventricular fibrillation - is the result of indiscriminate electrical impulses that cause the ventricles to flutter, making it difficult to pump blood normally to the body and creating a risk of cardiac arrest. 

What are the symptoms of arrhythmia? 

In general, arrhythmia is not always associated with definite and clear symptoms. Some people may feel a change in heart rate or unusual pauses between heartbeats, such as skipping, fibrillation and palpitations. 
 
Other possible symptoms include: 

• Anxiety
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Disorientation
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath during sleep
• Dizziness and loss of consciousness
• Fatigue or weakness 

What causes arrhythmia?  

The structural changes that happen to the cardiovascular system and come with aging, often lead to an increased risk of arrhythmia. Arrhythmias caused by birth defects or inherited heart disease are typical in children and young adults. The risk of arrhythmia increases with certain lifestyle factors such as smoking, drug use, alcohol use in unsafe amounts, certain medications, unhealthy eating habits, etc. 

How does spring affect arrhythmia?  

With the onset of spring, our cardiovascular health is put to an endurance test due to temperature and allergic fluctuations. Doctors have observed that spring time leads to unstable blood pressure due to the sharp temperature amplitudes during these months often between 0 and 25 degrees. Cold mornings and evenings lead to increased metabolism, creating oxygen starvation for the heart muscle as the heart has to work harder to warm the body. Rising daytime temperatures cause blood vessels to dilate and blood pressure to drop. These changes can lead to an increase in arrhythmia. 
 
The change to and from winter is associated with an increase in physical activity, which for many, during the colder months, is reduced. Consuming more fatty and carbohydrate foods in winter leads to increased cholesterol levels, and incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables in spring changes the overall condition of the body and the cardiovascular system in particular. While in summer and autumn, increased consumption of lighter foods rich in vitamins, salts and amino acids combined with a more active lifestyle protects against cardiac events. This is the reason why some cardiologists note an increase in cardiovascular disease and in particular myocardial infarction in winter and especially in spring.  
 
With the onset of warmer weather, after some immobility in early spring, the body should gradually "get into rhythm" in terms of diet and physical activity.  

How do I know if I have arrhythmia? 

You can take care of your heart at home by choosing a Sendo ADVANCE 2 digital blood pressure monitor. Extremely easy to use - at the touch of a single button, the device measures systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse, classified according to the standard WHO colour scale and approved by the ESH (European Society of Hypertension). 

The Sendo ADVANCE 2 blood pressure monitor takes into account abnormalities in the arrhythmic pulse, better known as arrhythmia. If the device detects an arrhythmia during measurement, a symbol immediately appears on the display to indicate the presence of an arrhythmic pulse. If you see the arrhythmia indication frequently, we recommend that you contact a cardiologist. 

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Bulgaria. Therefore, the first place in your health care should be blood pressure measurement. Trust the best device on the market because every heart matters.  

This article is not a substitute for consulting your GP or cardiologist.  

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FAQ: 

Does the change of seasons affect the occurrence of arrhythmias?

• Yes, seasonal variations can influence the frequency of arrhythmias. Studies have shown that episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF) tend to peak during colder months, especially in winter and early spring, and decrease during the summer. This pattern is observed across various regions and populations.   

Is there a connection between arrhythmia and stroke risk during different seasons?

• Yes, the incidence of AF-related strokes tends to increase in winter, correlating with the higher frequency of AF episodes during this season. Factors like increased blood viscosity and clotting tendencies in colder weather may contribute to this elevated risk

Are there lifestyle factors during winter that might influence arrhythmia risk?  

• Yes, certain behaviors common in colder months can impact arrhythmia risk such as overeating, alcohol consumption, reduced physical activity, and stress.