Treating and Living with Arrhythmias

Do you need treatment?
Most arrhythmias are considered harmless and are left untreated. Once your doctor has documented that you have an arrhythmia, he or she will need to find out whether it’s abnormal or merely reflects the heart’s normal processes. He or she will also determine whether your arrhythmia is clinically significant – that is, whether it causes symptoms or puts you at risk for more serious arrhythmias or complications of arrhythmias in the future. If your arrhythmia is abnormal and clinically significant, your doctor will set a treatment plan.

Treatment goals

Prevent blood clots from forming to reduce stroke risk
Control your heart rate within a relatively normal range
Restore a normal heart rhythm, if possible
Treat heart disease/condition that may be causing arrhythmia
Reduce other risk factors for heart disease and stroke

This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 01/20/09.