He emphasized that the phrase "my heart is skipping" is heard in his practice almost daily.
“Some say it with a smile, some with concern. But behind these words can lie both harmless conditions and serious disorders that increase the risk of stroke or sudden death,” the specialist noted.
According to Osmonov, as an arrhythmologist, ignoring heart rhythm problems is a bad idea, even if they seem temporary and resolve on their own.
He then shares examples from his medical practice:
First case: “I’m 38, what stroke?”
A 38-year-old man came to the doctor, complaining of periodic sensations of irregular heartbeat. He had no pain, was active in sports, and looked completely healthy.
After examination, he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation — the most common arrhythmia, which is one of the main causes of ischemic stroke.
The question often arises:
“Doctor, but I’m still young. Is this dangerous?”
The danger lies not in the sensation of palpitations itself, but in the fact that with atrial fibrillation, clots can form in the heart, which can "move" to the brain and cause a stroke suddenly and without warning. Therefore, modern therapy in such cases begins not with prescribing "rhythm pills," but with assessing the stroke risk and determining protective measures against it.
What arrhythmias are most common
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular rhythm, often painless, but with a high risk of stroke.
Supraventricular tachycardias are sudden episodes of increased heart rate, usually seen in young and seemingly healthy patients.
Ventricular arrhythmias are the most dangerous form, leading to loss of consciousness and sudden cardiac arrest.
Bradycardia and blocks are conditions where the heart beats too slowly.
It is important to remember that the same symptoms in different people can indicate completely different risks.
Second case: “Attacks attributed to nerves”
A 26-year-old woman suffered from episodes of sudden heart palpitations for several years. She was told it was "stress," "vegetative issues," or was offered sedatives.
One of the episodes was captured on an ECG, revealing that it was supraventricular tachycardia.
After catheter ablation (an electrophysiological/RF ablation procedure through blood vessels), the symptoms completely disappeared. It is important for patients to understand: not everything can be treated with pills, and not all problems are related to nerves.
When to urgently call for medical help
It is crucial to seek medical assistance immediately if palpitations or rapid heartbeat are accompanied by:
- fainting or sudden weakness,
- pressure or tightness in the chest area,
- severe shortness of breath,
- speech disturbances or weakness in the limbs.
- In these cases, time is of the essence.
How rhythm disturbances are treated today
Modern arrhythmology has long abandoned the approach of "improving the ECG." We treat not the numbers, but the specific risks to life and quality of life.
The main treatment goals are as follows:
1) reducing the risk of stroke (especially in atrial fibrillation);
2) controlling the pulse or restoring rhythm if truly necessary;
3) applying procedures such as ablation when they provide the best effect.
Recent international studies have shown that in some patients with atrial fibrillation, early rhythm restoration can improve not only overall well-being but also prognosis. Thus, the approach to treatment is always individualized — there is no "universal recipe."
A pacemaker and defibrillator are not a death sentence
Sometimes the problem lies not in a frequent pulse but in a too-slow pulse. In such cases, the installation of a pacemaker is not a "last resort," but a way to restore a person’s normal life.
In cases of high risk of dangerous arrhythmias (such as ventricular tachycardias), an implanted defibrillator can indeed save lives, as confirmed by large international studies.
What is important to remember
Heart rhythm disturbances are not always dangerous, but they always require attention and investigation.
If the "heart skips" regularly, if there are episodes, dizziness, or weakness — it is better to get an accurate diagnosis than to remain in ignorance.
Sometimes observation is enough. In other cases, pills or a single procedure are necessary.
But almost always, the right decision begins with one step: do not ignore the signals that the heart sends.
