TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dr. Evan Jim Gunawan, an Arrhythmia Consultant at Eka Hospital MT Haryono, said that uncontrolled high blood pressure and blood sugar can alter the structure of the heart muscle, obstructing the heart's electrical signals.
"Hypertension and diabetes are factors that can damage the heart's electrical system and cause irregular heart rhythms, or arrhythmias," Evan said in Tangerang on Wednesday.
Another factor that can damage the heart's electrical system is thyroid disorders, as an overactive or underactive thyroid gland significantly affects the heart's heartbeat.
Furthermore, sleep disorders, which often cause pauses in breathing, can put a strain on the heart, causing its rhythm to change. A lack of potassium or magnesium in the blood can disrupt the transmission of the heart's electrical signals.
"Our bodies are actually very clever at sending warning signs. If you experience unusual changes in your heart rate, seek early screening to anticipate potential medical disorders," he said.
However, Evan continued, not all sudden heart palpitations are dangerous. The heart has an electrical system with complex pathways to function. The body uses electrical signals to make the heart muscle beat.
Under normal conditions, electrical signals travel unimpeded, maintaining a consistent heart rhythm. However, if there is a disruption or obstruction in the heart's electrical signal pathway, the heart rhythm becomes irregular.
"This irregular heart rhythm is called arrhythmia. Some beats are too fast, too slow, or irregular," he said.
Evan explained that there are two categories of heart palpitations: physiological or normal, which usually occurs after consuming excessive caffeine, exercising vigorously, or experiencing strong emotions such as stress, falling in love, fear, or panic. Typically, the heart rhythm will return to normal on its own once the trigger disappears.
"Dangerous ones usually appear suddenly without a clear trigger, persist for a long time, or are accompanied by other physical symptoms. This indicates a disturbance in the heart's electrical circuit that requires medical examination," he said.
Advances in medical technology now allow for effective treatment of arrhythmias. One popular treatment method is cardiac ablation, a minimally invasive procedure.
"In this treatment, doctors repair damaged electrical pathways to restore the heart rhythm to normal without the need for open surgery. Furthermore, the use of pacemakers has also helped many people return to their normal activities," he said.