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information on
Heart Rate
Variability (HRV),
Irregular
Heartbeats, and
Autonomic Nervous
System (ANS)
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multi-functional wrist
monitor
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Do you have     
hypertension?
- are you monitoring   
frequently?
- are you taking
prescription drugs?
- are you aware of drug
side effects on ANS?
- self-improvement tips
Read more......
Feeling dizzy      
or even fainted?
- are you low in blood
pressure or heart rate?
- are you taking
prescription drugs?
- You may experience
Baroreflex failure
Read more......
Irregular heartbeats?
- often noticing abnormal
heartbeats (missing,
uneven, or super-fast)?
- Yo might have cardiac
arrhythmias
- Most sudden death
events are preceded by
irregular heartbeats
Read more......
Mitral Valve Prolapse?
- Mitral valve is the
bicuspid valve between left
atrium and ventricle
- If mitral valve is not
closed properly (called
mitral valve prolapse
MVP), the blood may
backflow during pumping
- there is a strong
connection between panic
attackes and MVP
- How to detect it?
Read more......
Am I having   
dysautonimia?
- autonomic nervous
system works to fine tune
body conditions depending
on physiological needs
- ANS consists of two
branches: sympathetic and
parasympathetic
- do you have balanced
ANS?
- what are the symptoms of
dysautonomia?
Read more......
What is Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeats)?
- ANSWatch detects and reports irregular heartbeats
automatically
Glimpse of Facts on Irregular Heartbeats (Arrhythmias)



  • A broad definition of “Cardiac Arrhythmia” includes any irregular heart rhythm, overly fast
    heartbeats (above 120 beats per minute; tachycardias) and overly slow heartbeats (below 50;
    bradycardias)
  • In a normal heart rhythm, the sinus node in the heart generates an electrical impulse which
    travels through the right and left atrial / ventricular muscles to cause heart contractions
  • Cardiac arrhythmias occur as a result of abnormal electrical activity in the heart (signals and
    their conduction paths)
  • Most commonly observed arrhythmias are premature contraction, delayed contraction, skipped
    heartbeat, and extra systole (see Figure 1 below).  They can be combined in irregular order.  
  • Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can be serious or even life threatening. When the
    heart rate is too fast, too slow, or irregular, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to
    the body. Lack of blood flow can damage the brain, heart, and other organs.
Who Is At Risk for an Arrhythmia?

  • Millions of Americans have arrhythmias. They're very common in older adults.  Our
    clinical experience indicates that about 70% of adults older than 70 have at least 1
    event of arrhthmia during a 5-minute ANSWatch testing.  
  • About 2.2 million Americans have atrial fibrillation (continuous fast heartbeats that
    are life threatening).
  • Older adults tend to be more sensitive to the side effects of medicines, some of
    which can cause arrhythmias. Some medicines used to treat arrhythmias can even
    cause arrhythmias as a side effect.
  • Arrhythmias are more common in people who have diseases or conditions that
    weaken the heart, such as (1) heart attack (2) heart failure or cardiomyopathy (3)  
    heart tissue that's too thick or stiff or that hasn't formed normally (4) leaking or
    narrowed heart valves (5) congenital heart defects
  • Other conditions also can increase the risk for arrhythmias, such as (1) high blood
    pressure (2) infections that damage the heart muscle (3) diabetes (4) sleep apnea
    (5) overactive or underactive thyroid gland (6) certain drugs (such as cocaine or
    amphetamines), or an imbalance of chemicals or other substances (such as
    potassium) in the bloodstream.
Figure 1: Arrhythmias (various types)
What Causes an Arrhythmia?

  • An arrhythmia can occur if the electrical signals that control the heartbeat are delayed or
    blocked. This can happen if the special nerve cells that produce electrical signals don't work
    properly, or if electrical signals don't travel normally through the heart.

  • An arrhythmia also can occur if another part of the heart starts to produce electrical signals.
    This adds to the signals from the special nerve cells and disrupts the normal heartbeat.

  • Smoking, heavy alcohol use, use of certain drugs (such as cocaine or amphetamines), use of
    certain prescription or over-the-counter medicines, or too much caffeine or nicotine can lead to
    arrhythmias in some people.

  • Strong emotional stress or anger can make the heart work harder, raise blood pressure, and
    release stress hormones. In some people, these reactions can lead to arrhythmias.

  • A heart attack or an underlying condition that damages the heart's electrical system also can
    cause arrhythmias. Examples of such conditions include high blood pressure, coronary heart
    disease, heart failure, overactive or underactive thyroid gland (too much or too little thyroid
    hormone produced), and rheumatic heart disease.
How Are Arrhythmias Treated?

  • Common arrhythmia treatments include medicines, medical procedures, and
    surgery.
  • Treatment is needed when an arrhythmia causes serious symptoms, such as
    dizziness, chest pain, or fainting.
  • It has been our experience that people with minor or mild arrhythmias (in terms of
    frequency and type) can improve by life style changes (more exercise, eating
    healthy foods, and increasing sleep time, Yoga, Qi, etc.)
  • ANSWatch users have demonstrated that the easy-to-operate monitor plays a vital
    role in the treatment or self-improvement of arrhythmias
Case 2: Delayed heartbeat (red)
Case 1: Early heartbeat followed by delayed heartbeat (red)
Case 3: Skipped heartbeat (red)
Case 5: “Constant” cardiac arrhythmias (Twin-Sister Peaks)
Case 4: Early heartbeat followed by delayed heartbeat (red)
Case 6: “Constant” cardiac arrhythmias (Triplet-Sister Peaks)
Case 7: Ventricular fibrillation (lasting for 3 seconds from 278-281)
Case 8: Simultaneous testing by ANSWatch and ECG (a missing
heartbeat caught by ANSWatch was corresponding to an abnormal
ECG waveform)
Case 9:  Simultaneous testing by ANSWatch and ECG (periodic
early contractions caught by ANSWatch were corresponding to
early QRS on ECG)
Case 7: Ventricular fibrillation (lasting for 3 seconds from 278-281)