What is extrasystole and what is the connection with osteochondrosis

What it is

Extrasystole is one of the features of cardiac arrhythmia, manifested by an impulse disorder of muscle contraction. Extrasystole manifests itself in a similar way with osteochondrosis in an advanced stage. Serious discomfort, pain, problems with other organs and body systems occur as a result of damage to:

• thoracic spinal column;
• cervical vertebrae;
• lower back.

Arrhythmic processes of the heart muscle as an independent pathology appear against the background of excessive physical activity. Impaired heart function occurs due to a lack of oxygen in the vessels that actively deliver blood flow to the internal organs. Extrasystoles, which are additional signals of an anomaly, act purposefully to eliminate the anomaly.

Causes of pain in the heart and extrasystole in osteochondrosis, methods of treatment

Extrasystole is the occurrence of periodic heart rhythm disturbances; the disease is characterized by premature single or paired contractions of the heart muscle.

The disease is considered one of the most common types of arrhythmias; according to some data, extrasystole is observed in 90% of people over fifty years of age.

This type of arrhythmia is a consequence of heart diseases such as heart defects, coronary disease, etc.

The main causes of pain in the heart and extrasystole

Extrasystole can also be caused by intoxication due to poisoning, infectious diseases and neoplastic processes. Arterial hypertension, hyperthyroidism, systemic allergic reactions may also be accompanied by extrasystole.

This type of arrhythmia occurs with strong emotions . when the level of catecholamines in the blood increases, it acts as viscero-visceral reflexes in case of diaphragmatic hernia, cholecystitis and stomach diseases.

Functional extrasystoles can occur in completely healthy people at times of stress, strong emotions, or conflict situations. They are easily eliminated when the pathogen disappears.

For extrasystoles caused by an increase in the tone of the vagus nerve, physical activity adequate for age and training is recommended.

Extrasystoles do not require special treatment and do not cause hemodynamic disturbances or painful sensations.

Heart pain is associated with stress, a sedentary lifestyle, the situation can be aggravated by constant anxiety and incorrect reactions to current events.

A sedentary lifestyle and incorrect posture lead to deterioration in the mobility of the diaphragm, incorrect positioning of the esophagus, stomach, and thyroid gland, as a result of which the corresponding ligaments of the heart sac are strained and the rhythm of heart contractions is disturbed.

For what reasons does vertebral artery syndrome occur and what are its symptoms? Find out more about this.

How to properly perform a massage when the sciatic nerve is pinched can be found out in detail in this article.

How the heart hurts with osteochondrosis: the specifics of sensations

Osteochondrosis can also cause pain in the heart.

Progressive narrowing of the intervertebral discs promotes the formation of osteophytes . and in some cases, herniated intervertebral discs, as a result of which compression of one or more roots is diagnosed.

The disease occurs in middle-aged patients and can develop at a rapid or slow pace.

With the acute onset of the disease, a sharp pain occurs in the neck, which spreads along the inner surface of the shoulder to the fingers. The pain is accompanied by numbness and tingling in the skin.

A characteristic sign of osteochondrosis is increased pain when moving the head . A characteristic sign of the slow version of the disease is increased pain when staying in bed.

Night chest pain can be confused with attacks of angina pectoris; with cervical osteochondrosis, specific syndromes accompanied by cardialgia can develop.

Osteochondrosis can be accompanied by pain in the neck, shoulder joints, shoulder girdles, upper limbs, and in the front of the chest. The pain can be dull, bursting, aching, burning.

Treatment of pain due to vertebrogenic cardialgia and extrasystole

Methods for treating pain in vertebrogenic cardialgia

The goal of therapy is to eliminate the cause of pain; manual therapy is used for this.

With its help, muscle-joint blocks are released, blood flow and trophism in the lower layers of the muscles surrounding the spinal column are improved.

Regular gymnastics improves peripheral blood circulation in the pathological area and helps stop degenerative processes.

Physiotherapy has an excellent .

Laser treatment, ultrasound, microcurrents have a deep warming effect.

All local techniques for vertebrogenic cardialgia are recommended to be used in the form of long courses, which are recommended to be continued after the pain has disappeared.

Treatment of pain with vertebrogenic cardialgia also involves taking medications, which include vitamin-mineral complexes and analgesics.

The main emphasis is still placed on local treatment .

Features of the treatment of extrasystole that occurs with osteochondrosis

If the extrasystole is mild and does not cause discomfort to the patient, treatment is not prescribed.

It is imperative that the cause of the heart rhythm disturbance is identified and its elimination begins; this is necessary to stop the further development of extrasystole.

Direct treatment of the disease is indicated when 700 or more extrasystoles per day are reached.

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to diagnose the type of extrasystole, record the heart rate and identify the individual characteristics of the body.

Holter monitoring is mandatory to monitor the effect of the antiarrhythmic drug.

Plan for further examination for pain in the heart and extrasystole

To identify the general picture of the disease, the cardiologist must listen to all the patient’s complaints, measure blood pressure, listen to the lungs and heart, and examine the condition of the skin and subcutaneous fat. At the next stage, laboratory and instrumental studies are prescribed .

Laboratory studies include tests, instrumental electrocardiogram, 24-hour ECG monitoring, echocardiography.

Video describing the nature and location of heart pain

By watching a video with a story from a specialist - a neurologist, you will be able to more clearly determine the causes of pain in the heart and the nature of the spasms themselves, which can be true or giving off, that is, provoked by dysfunctions in the work of other organs

Emergence

Extrasystole and osteochondrosis are closely interrelated, since the pathology is caused by an advanced form of dystrophic disorders of the articular cartilages of the vertebrae. Destruction of the muscle tissue of the spinal column leads to the following problems:

• compression of the walls of blood vessels;
• abnormal conditions of nerve fibers;
• impulse disturbance of the heart muscle.

The manifestation of the disease is characterized by abnormal pulse beats. In this case, there is a pause before the next impulse, after which a short period passes before the next heart beat. This condition quite seriously alarms a person, since there is a fear of cardiac arrest.

The appearance of extrasystolic impulses is a compensating pause, due to which the general blood supply is restored. The location of the process can be observed in various areas of the lumbosacral region and other internal organs.

The occurrence of extrasystole in osteochondrosis is not uncommon, since it can be called the root cause of the disease. Lack of proper treatment leads to hypoxia of cardiac muscle cells.

Other reasons for provoking pathology are:

• Metabolic dysfunction in the body also leads to vascular dysfunction;
• Impaired activity of the heart muscle has a detrimental effect on the functioning of the nervous system, since the restriction of movements caused by pain causes serious discomfort. As a result of this, a person is in constant stressful situations, often leading to nervous breakdowns;
• Incorrectly distributed physical load on the parts of the spinal column can provoke displacement of the intervertebral discs, which also causes muscle tissue soreness;
• Taking certain medications prescribed for certain indications often causes extrasystole signals to appear.

The formation of pathology in different parts of the spine is characterized by certain differences.

Cervical region

Narrowing of the intervertebral discs caused by degenerative processes contributes to the risk of developing osteophytes, which exert mechanical pressure on the nerve roots. Moreover, the more nerve fibers are affected, the faster the disease progresses, causing severe pain spasms.

Compressed cervical vertebrae are characterized by pain spreading from the seventh to the second vertebra. In this case, the pain affects the inner area of ​​the shoulders, reaching the tips of the upper limbs. A concomitant symptom is numbness in the fingertips.

Thoracic region

If muscle extrasystole occurs in the thoracic region, the patient often has heart disease, accompanied by pain in this area. Extrasystole of the thoracic spine is also characterized by disturbances in blood pressure and pulse. Painful symptoms are observed in the later stages of development of the pathology with increased physical activity.

The myocardium does not receive the required volume of oxygen. Additional extrasystoles in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region activate the movement of blood flow through the veins, accelerating the work of the heart muscle, which is accompanied by rapid pulse beats.

Lumbar

Extrasystole of the lumbar spine provokes the release of a large amount of toxic substances from the adrenal cortex, which leads to spastic vascular conditions. At the same time, like pathologies of the thoracic region, lumbar problems are accompanied by pressure surges and increased heart rate. The tonometer numbers can be so high that the patient is diagnosed with a hypertensive crisis.

Case from practice

A patient came to see me at the clinic with complaints of sensations of paroxysmal interruptions in the heart that occur periodically during hard work. Palpation revealed pain in the thoracic spine. Single extrasystoles from the atrioventricular junction were recorded on the ECG. No ischemia or other signs of cardiac pathology were detected. After a week of taking Naklofen and Sirdalud, as well as topical use of Diclofenac ointment, the condition improved and the patient stopped feeling interruptions.

Symptoms

The initial stage of the pathology is characterized by the fact that extrasystoles in osteochondrosis are manifested by a constant feeling of muscle tension and tissue soreness. Such symptoms significantly limit the patient’s motor activity; discomfort interferes with the natural movements of the body, upper and lower extremities.

Since the pain syndrome at the onset of the disease is not pronounced, patients rarely seek qualified medical help, believing that the pain will go away spontaneously. Ignoring symptoms can lead to their intensification, which becomes a frightening factor.

Additional signs of extrasystole in osteochondrosis are the following conditions:

• sudden shocks of the heart, accompanied by periodic freezing for several seconds. After this, the heart muscle begins to contract rapidly;
• discomfort, tension in the subscapular area;
• disorientation in space, accompanied by fainting;
• sudden hot flashes, sweating, chills;
• feeling of lack of air to take a deep breath;
• general weakness, blue lips;
• pale skin;
• irregular pulse, sudden jumps in blood pressure.

The occurrence of such symptoms should alert a person and prompt them to seek the necessary medical help. Otherwise, an increase in discomfort in the spine and other areas of the body can lead to serious psychological problems, which will require consultation with a psychotherapist and the prescription of appropriate treatment.

Reasons for appearance

In cases of disorders associated with atrophy and destruction of the tissues of the spinal column, there is a flattening and protrusion of the cartilaginous discs that hold the vertebral bodies together and ensure their normal mobility and shock absorption.
Violation of these structures leads to infringement of the nerve fibers responsible for sensitivity and autonomic functions. In this case, irritation is transmitted to nearby organs, and the myocardium is no exception. Pain in the heart and various rhythm disturbances occur, including extrasystole. At the initial stage of the pathology, deviations can be short-term and occur against the background of a sharp turn or tilt, and in advanced forms of osteochondrosis - frequent or constant. In the latter case, the heart will experience continuous overload and hypoxia against its background.

Excitation of different parts of the conduction system occurs in two ways - direct impact on the fibers of the sympathetic nerves and reflex.

Diagnostics

To exclude serious pathological changes in the body, osteochondrosis and extrasystoles must be diagnosed in a timely manner. Initially, the therapist conducts a survey of the patient, facilitating a preliminary understanding of the clinical picture. His pulse is also felt and blood pressure is measured. After this, he is sent for examination to a cardiologist, who carries out the following measures:

• by palpation determines the location of the extrasystole and its type;
• studies the individual parameters of the patient’s body;
• prescribes pulse diagnostics;
• analyzes the frequency of heart contraction;
• conducts laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods;
• a halter is attached to the patient’s body for a day;
• ultrasound, ECG, MRI of the heart are prescribed;
• Treadmill testing and bicycle ergometry are carried out.

Diagnosis of extrasystole allows you to establish an accurate diagnosis, after which optimal treatment can be prescribed.

Treatment

Since the connection between extrasystole and osteochondrosis is pronounced, therapeutic measures are prescribed if the patient has more than 200 attacks per day. Effective monitoring is carried out by Holter. There are several therapeutic methods. Depending on the diagnosis, they consist of the following activities:

Medicines

Serious pain conditions require taking painkillers (usually Panangin is prescribed, which helps enrich the heart muscle with calcium, magnesium, and improve metabolism). Sedative medications are prescribed for a pronounced fear syndrome of heart failure, even to the point of cardiac arrest.

The development of arrhythmia can be provoked by taking certain medications. In this case, doctors review the treatment regimen and prescribe other groups of drugs.

If hypertension is a symptom of the pathology, the patient is prescribed medications that normalize blood pressure.

Manual therapy

Using this method, spastic conditions of muscle tissue are reduced, blood flow and metabolism are normalized.

Physiotherapy

Therapeutic exercises and massage significantly improve the patient’s general condition. The physiotherapeutic complex is selected based on individual characteristics.

Traditional therapy

To improve the patient's condition, folk remedies are used:

• 4 teaspoons of valerian should be added to 1 glass of water, the contents are placed in a water bath for half an hour. After filtering and cooling, the raw materials are taken 1 tbsp. spoon three times a day after meals;
• 5 – 6 cloves of garlic, 2 lemons are crushed in a meat grinder, placed in a three-liter container, filled with water. The product is taken once a day, half a glass. At the same time, heart function improves and metabolism is normalized;
• For 1 glass of water you need to add 1 tbsp. spoon of motherwort. Take a drug that improves the functioning of the nervous system, 1 tbsp. spoon before meals for 2 weeks.

Drug treatment

Treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs for extrasystole is carried out only if the cause is heart pathology (read about the drugs used here). In cases of osteochondrosis, proper rehabilitation can improve the condition and eliminate rhythm disturbances.

To stop an exacerbation, the following drugs are taken:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac). They relieve pain and swelling in the affected area.
2. Muscle relaxants (“Sirdalud”, “Mydocalm”). Relieves muscle spasm.
3. In case of severe infringement, corticosteroids are used or a novocaine blockade is performed.

To prolong remission, massage and physical therapy are used. In very advanced cases, surgery is recommended to eliminate pinched nerves and restore blood flow and nerve conduction.

A situation may arise when there is simultaneously a violation of the structure of the spine and pathology of the heart. In this case, treatment is carried out jointly by a cardiologist and a vertebrologist. But the priority is the treatment of problems with the myocardium, as they can lead to serious consequences and even death.

Preventive measures and nutrition

To prevent extrasystole in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, it is advisable to adhere to medical recommendations:

• avoid stress;
• supply the body with sufficient amounts of microelements and vitamins;
• follow an individually designed diet;
• promptly treat diseases of internal organs;
• monitor blood pressure;
• monitor the level of potassium and magnesium in the blood.

To normalize the general condition, the patient is advised to give up bad habits and not overuse strong coffee or tea.

Pathological heart function can be caused by diseases of the respiratory and immune systems, problems of the gastrointestinal tract, and negative processes in the spine leading to osteochondrosis. A serious approach to getting rid of extrasystole in osteochondrosis can effectively eliminate the problem.

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