Madrid, Nov 6.- A study conducted by the European University of Spain today delves into cardiac arrhythmias and the influence of stress, caffeine, alcohol, and lack of sleep.
Francisco José Martín, a specialist in sports cardiology at the I-Shape center of the European University, stated that “detecting them early prevents complications such as stroke, heart failure, or sudden death.”
He detailed that fever or certain medications can also influence the onset of arrhythmias, and while not all are serious, they should not be ignored. “Timely detection of arrhythmias allows for intervention before serious complications arise. Although many are benign, their management is key because certain arrhythmias are associated with cardiovascular events and a higher risk of heart failure,” he noted.
According to the educational institution, which has campuses in the Canary Islands, Andalusia, Valencia, and Madrid, in 2024, heart failure caused 18,574 deaths in Spain.
Dr. Martín suggested that based on certain symptoms, it is important to pay attention to how a person feels in their daily life. Palpitations that are bothersome, a feeling of emptiness in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting are reasons to seek evaluation from a doctor.
Sometimes arrhythmias go unnoticed and are discovered during a routine electrocardiogram or a sports check-up. “In active individuals, noticing an unusually high or irregular heart rate during exercise warrants investigation. The type of arrhythmia matters, as does ensuring that the heart is structurally healthy,” the expert specified.
In the assessments of the study, elements such as structural causes (changes in the muscle itself) or electrical causes (errors in the transmission of the heartbeat signal) appear, along with habits and external factors.
Additionally, scars or dilatations of the heart, genetic electrical disorders, excessive caffeine or alcohol intake, stress, lack of sleep, fever, electrolyte imbalances, or certain medications are among the possible triggers.
“In young people and athletes, isolated extrasystoles are common and usually benign but should always be evaluated in a clinical context,” Dr. Martín pointed out.
Elaborating on the topic, he noted that atrial fibrillation disrupts the contraction of the heart's atria, which promotes the formation of clots and increases the risk of stroke.
Heart failure occurs when the heart loses its ability to pump effectively and is accompanied by fatigue and shortness of breath. “The sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner action can be taken with lifestyle changes, medications, ablation, or devices like pacemakers or defibrillators when indicated,” Martín emphasized.
“The heart has memory. What we repeat every day with exercise, diet, and sleep builds its future health,” concluded the specialist from the European University.
