
A carotid massage is done by applying pressure underneath the angle of the jaw in a gentle, circular motion for about 10 seconds. Carotid Massage: Carotid arteries are the major blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain, neck and face.Use a tongue depressor and quickly insert it into the mouth, touching the back of the throat. Gagging: Gagging stimulates the vagus nerve.This creates a physiological response similar to what happens when you jump into cold water. Cold Stimulus to the Face: Emerge the face in cold water or place an ice pack on the face for about 10 seconds.This generates increased pressure within the chest cavity and triggers a slowing of the heart rate that may stop the abnormal rhythm. Blowing through a Syringe: This is called valsalva maneuver, and it involves blowing into a syringe while lying down, face up, for 15 seconds.You can also try blowing through a straw.
Bearing Down: Bear down as if you are having a bowel movement to stimulate the vagus nerve and correct an irregular heartbeat. Coughing: A forceful and sustained cough can stimulate the vagus nerve. There are different types of maneuvers that you can try, and remember that not one maneuver works for everyone. Vagal maneuvers are natural treatments that can be done before turning to medications or other more invasive procedures. Studies show that vagal maneuvers are simple, non-invasive methods of stopping irregular heartbeat by stimulating the vagus nerve. The vagus forms part of the involuntary nervous system, and it commands unconscious body procedures, such as keeping the heart rate constant. The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve, extending from the brainstem to the abdomen. This stimulation causes a reflex stimulation of the vagus nerve, which results in the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that can slow down the electrical impulses that lead to a rapid heartbeat. Vagal maneuvers are used to slow down a rapid heartbeat by stimulating the receptors in the internal carotid arteries. collapse and cardiac arrest (in extreme cases)ĭuring an arrhythmia, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body, which can damage the brain, heart and other organs.ħ Natural Treatments for Irregular Heartbeat. Random moments of irregular heartbeat are typically harmless, but when arrhythmias last long enough to affect how well the heart works, more serious symptoms may develop, including: Premature beats that occur often or in rapid succession may feel like a fluttering sensation in the chest or neck. A single, premature beat may be felt as a palpitation or skipped beat. ( 2)Īccording to the American Heart Association, irregular heartbeats can produce a broad range of symptoms, from barely perceptible to cardiovascular collapse and death. This can happen if the special nerve cells that produce the electrical signals don’t work properly. A problem with this process, such as it being delayed or blocked as it travels down into the lower branches of the heart, can cause an irregular heartbeat. When the heart beats, an electrical signal spreads from the top of the heart to the bottom, causing it to contract and pump blood. A heartbeat that’s too slow is called bradycardia. When a heartbeat is too fast, this is called tachycardia. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart arrhythmia - this occurs when the normal beating in the upper chambers of the heart is irregular, and blood doesn’t flow as well as it should from the atria (upper chambers) to the lower chambers of the heart.
This usually feels like a fluttering in the chest or a feeling of a skipped heartbeat. Premature or extra beats are the most common type of arrhythmia. It’s important to be aware of the risk factors for an irregular heartbeat and the natural, non-invasive ways in which you can treat arrhythmias.Īn irregular heartbeat can mean that the heart beats too fast, too slow or with an irregular rhythm. Most cases of a fluttering feeling in the chest are harmless, but some cardiac arrhythmias are extremely dangerous and require immediate treatment. ( 1) This is especially true for people with coronary heart diseaseor for those under constant stress. In fact, a recent study found that one in four adult Americans over the age of 40 could develop an irregular heartbeat. Conventional Treatment for Irregular HeartbeatĮach year, millions of people experience irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias.Irregular Heartbeat Causes and Risk Factors.7 Natural Treatments for Irregular Heartbeat.