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DILLON A week after the Breckenridge Recreation Center announced it hopes to reopen with a reservation system in mid-June, the Silverthorne Recreation Center and other smaller, private Summit County fitness centers on Tuesday elaborated on their reopening plans ahead of anticipated state action later this week.

Over in Silverthorne, Recreation & Culture Director Joanne Cook said the town rec centers reopening is contingent upon the county entering into phase two of its Roadmap to Recovery. Under phase two, the county stipulates recreation and fitness centers can reopen with strict physical distancing measures and precautions with maximum gathering sizes of 10-50 people. To reach phase two, the county must have no significant increase in cases for four to eight weeks.

When the county enters that stage of its reopening, Cook said the rec center could reopen two to three days later. She added that Silverthorne has its sights on the week of Monday, June 15, as a possibility.

Behind the scenes, we are preparing and anticipating that once the county moves into phase two, we want to have the facility prepared to offer services safely and responsibly and with reduced contact wherever possible, Cook said. Once we are notified the county has moved to phase two, we will do everything we can to open our doors as soon as possible.

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Cook said planned hours are 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays with a midday cleaning break from 1-3 p.m. The current plan would permit passholders ages 15 and older while remaining closed to day users, she said. The rec centers large gathering spaces, such as the gymnasium, would remain closed.

Silverthorne plans to use the SignUpGenius app for passholders to reserve 45-minute time slots, with a maximum of 60 people in the center at one time. Cook also said workout equipment will be spaced out in the facility, including in areas usually reserved for other things, to distance users.

As of Tuesday, Cook said face masks would be required indoors at all times, including during exercise. Cook said that could change if a proposed statewide indoor-recreation plan is updated after members of the public submit feedback this week. The deadline to do that is noon Wednesday, June 3.

There is a guideline in there that people should wear (facial coverings) as much as possible as long as they are comfortable to do so, Cook said about the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environments draft proposal. So we are keeping close tabs on that regulation. If and when that comes out from the state, as long as the county doesnt make something stricter, it is a possibility people will be able to recreate without them. We know thats a concern for some of our members, so if we are able to loosen restrictions safely and still meet county guidelines, we will.

That state department of health guidance for personal recreation will go into effect Thursday, June 4.

As currently written, the amended order would expand the number of recreationists in groups indoors from three to 10. That bump would be a major boon for smaller local fitness centers, such as CrossFit Breckenridge and Peak Yoga in Dillon.

At Peak Yoga, owner Pinna Gallant said her business has been able to surf the financial wave of closure thanks to virtual classes, but that the past couple of months have been a struggle in many way since closing March 15. Peak Yoga reopened its doors to in-person service Monday, June 1, but only with one morning session with a maximum of three people. If the state health departments draft is approved Thursday and the county doesnt decide on more stringent rules, Gallant would be able to host eight customers in a class at once, which would go a long way to meeting demand.

If she does need to get even more creative to reach her community and strengthen her business, she said she is in discussions with the town of Dillon about using the Dillon Amphitheater as an outdoor venue for larger classes. Shes willing to do whatever it takes to reopen safely and strengthen the studio after Peak Yoga lost half of its monthly revenue since the start of the pandemic.

At Peak Yoga, once recreationists got to their mats they were not required to wear facial coverings. Facial coverings during exercise is a talking point in the fitness community.

At CrossFit Breckenridge, owner Dan Messinger said the fitness center on Airport Road has been open since May 1 because the activity is classified as a personal service. Classes, he said, have been pretty similar to normal with slight tweaks to avoid clients using the same equipment. The shops ability to move equipment outside also has helped, though until now hes only been able to max out classes at three people.

Come Thursday, hes hoping that can bump up to 10 to meet the increased demand hes seen for his business while helping the CrossFit community to see more of one another again. As long as athletes are maintaining a 6-foot distance, CrossFit Breckenridge has not been mandating a facial covering.

And if they changed that guideline, we wouldnt open, Messinger said. I dont think its safe for people to do safe workouts with masks on.

Messinger credited his landlord for helping him through the early shutdown, saying if the two werent able to work together, he wouldnt have made it through.

Long-term viability is also something Mary Scheifley, the owner of Peak One Fitness in Frisco, is gauging. After she lost 15% of her members early in the shutdown, shes deciding whether reopening is best for her. For now, shes taking a wait-and-see approach for her business while watching how the town centers reopen before she finalizes a plan shes already crafted.

I have a smaller group base, and I know it can definitely be managed, she said.

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Summit County fitness and recreation centers ready reopening plans while waiting for go-ahead from the state - Summit Daily News

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NEWS RELEASEHALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY*************************The municipality is committed to providing opportunities for residents of all ages to stay active while following public health measures. As June 6 is National Health and Fitness Day, Parks & Recreation is launching Rec at Home. Activities will include:

Check back often, as new activities are being added regularly.

As a first activity to try, residents are encouraged to take part in both the Fitness & Recreation Challenge and the Nature Scavenger Hunt. Residents will be encouraged to share a photo or short video of themselves participating via private message to the Halifax Parks & Recreation Facebook page which will be shared in a compilation video showing the fun ways to enjoy recreation during COVID-19.

All activities will be posted on halifax.ca/recathome. Virtual recreation videos will be posted to the Halifax Regional Municipalitys YouTube page and the Halifax Parks & Recreation Facebook page.*************************

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HRM launches 'Rec at Home' activities for National Health and Fitness Day - HalifaxToday.ca

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Anil Kapoor shared this image. (courtesy: anilskapoor)

At the age of 63, Anil Kapoor is considered to be one of the fittest actors in Bollywood and there's absolutely no denying that. On Friday, the actor shared pictures from his home work out session on Instagram, along with a detailed note about his fitness regime. Anil Kapoor talked about how the lockdown brought out best in him, on the fitness front and wrote: "I was never into weightlifting nor did I take rest days so seriously but this lockdown has definitely been a learning curve for me in many ways and this is one of them.

In his post, Anil Kapoor wrote about the importance of "unwinding" and revealed that he takes a day off from his high-intensity workout sessions. He wrote: "It's not all about being locked in the dungeon of my gym, hitting reps after reps day after day. We must take time to let the body rest. When we hit weights we create stress on the body on the muscles from that forced stress the muscle rebuilds itself making it stronger. Rest days are important that's why I take one whole day off. A day when I relax and enjoy the fruits of a disciplined week. On that day I do all the important things that help me unwind."

The Bollywood veteran signed off the post, saying, "For we cannot forget a training plan is long term and the body needs its reward. I let my body take it easy because I know from the next day I am gonna make it work like crazy till the next rest day comes round. It's a perfect balance of faith, patience and perseverance."

Check out Anil Kapoor's post here:

Earlier this year, Anil Kapoor's 33-year-old daughter and Rhea Kapoor shared pictures of him working out at home. She captioned the post: "Ugh! Parents. Always throwing their biceps in your face, am I right? Meanwhile, I am googling biryani recipes. And that, my friends, is what we call balance. #hes63 #proudofhim #stillgonnanaptho."

Anil Kapoor was last seen Mohit Suri's crime-thriller Malang, co-starring Disha Patani and Aditya Roy Kapur. He will next be seen in Mumbai Saga, alongside John Abraham.

Original post:
Anil Kapoor, 63, Shares The Secrets Of His Fitness Regime - NDTV

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Manushi Chhillar on fitness being a way of life

Ever since Manushi Chhillar has gone on to win the Miss World 2017 title, the Indian beauty has had the limelight follow her everywhere. Soon to be making her Bollywood debut alongside Akshay Kumar in the much-awaited historical drama Prithviraj, Manushi Chhillar has also been the face of many endorsements. She was recently named the brand ambassador for Adidas, joining in team members like Ranveer Singh, Rohit Sharma, Hima Das and over 20 other top athletes and youth icons who have been redefining India's sporting and fitness culture.

A fitness enthusiast, Manushi Chhillar hopes to inspire more women to embrace fitness, and create a positive social impact through the power of sport. Commenting on her fitness routine, Manushi said, "My fitness regime is holistic - focused on a balanced lifestyle, sleep, food, thoughts, plays an important role because fitness and health are not just about physical well-being but your mental, emotional and physiological well-being as well. Being fit is important in these unprecedented times and I would encourage all my fans to take out time to be fit and healthy."

"Fitness has been a part of my life since childhood. My parents are doctors and because of that I've had a holistic upbringing. They were mindful about what kind of food came home and always encouraged me to participate in sports. Being a science student, sports was a stress buster for me. It still is. If I have had a long shoot day, I try to play a sport and I feel so much better," revealed Manushi.

"Both physical and mental health are crucial. It has to be part of your lifestyle. Fitness can never be a hobby. I found my space - I love running - and people need to find their own to stay in the best of health. Lack of physical activity causes stress and therefore fitness needs to be a way of life," she added.

(Also read:Manushi Chhillar: The Many Times She Set Fashion Goals)

For Manushi, running has been her favourite mode of fitness

"I have been following guided workouts through training and running apps. I am used to indoor exercises, thanks to my work for which I often travelled from one country to the other. I would workout in my hotel room. Now, being home, I do my workouts plus spend time cleaning and organising to stay active. Thankfully, I have my father staying with me, and that keeps me mentally happy," said Manushi.

Amidst COVID-19 lockdown, when thousands are looking for inspiration, Adidas has started #HOMETEAMHERO Challenge. It not only inspires people to stay physically and mentally fit every single day, but also supports the WHO COVID19 Response Fund. The brand will be donating $1 for every hour of fitness activity clocked on their app till June 7.

"Your discipline has to come from within. You need to spend a few hours daily for fitness. It's best to maintain a journal. Write down your goals, be it weight loss, building stamina or core strength. Every day record your achievements and you will soon start realising your achievements from one day to the other. When you realise you did better than yesterday, you will find your motivation for today," she advised.

"My fitness gear is all about comfort. Even when not working out, I love being in my gym shorts or tights. Now, I have also been adding in a lot of colours to my gear - from t-shirts to shoes."

Self-belief. As cliche as it may sound, but it works. Whenever you face a situation, ask yourself two things: am I going to play victim or do I want to make the most of the situation? You would always want to make the most of the situation and you will find that door of opportunity. It's all in the head. The minute you start seeing things differently, the situation changes," she adds.

"When I landed back in India after winning the crown, it was almost 30 minutes past midnight. I didn't expect a crowd but there were people from all over to welcome me at the airport. I really enjoyed the chaos. Seeing everyone come out to support and cheer for me made me realise that I am part of such a big family. There were so many peoplehappy for me and that was a great feeling," said Manushi.

So are you motivated to get your fitness game on?

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Manushi Chhillar Talks Fitness And What She Does To Stay Active - NDTV Swirlster

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Fitness centres in Sooke are taking high precautions as they reopen for public use.

Ellen Connor, owner of Sooke Boxing Club, said she reopened on June 1, allowing 10 people in the gym at a time.

Connor rearranged the gym, hanging punching bags spread out around the space, and outlined where each person should stand during a class. The club has increased cleaning measures, and participants receive a spray bottle to sanitize anything they touch during class.

Things are weird, laughed Connor. But we dont have any other choice.

There will be no partner drills, and everyone will remain at their own punching bag to ensure physical distancing. The club is also not renting out gear, so people are expected to bring their own equipment.

Its been challenging but doable. I am just glad to have everyone back in, and to feel some sense of normalcy in these abnormal times, said Connor.

ALSO READ: Sooke youth and coaches stay active from home

Sooke 24 Hour Health and Fitness also reopened on June 1, with reduced capacity and customers booking ahead of time for their workout. The club also increased staffed hours, has organized the gym to ensure physical distancing, and has provided personal spray bottles for cleaning equipment.

For more information on booking your spot email info@sookefitness.com or call 250-642-7111.

Otter Point Athletics began holding classes again on June 1, following the guidelines of provincial health authorities.

Customers are expected to enter through the rear garage door only. A walkway outlines where people should stand before entering the gym, and those attending classes are asked not to show up too early.

Those entering a class will be first met by a coach and asked if they, or anyone they have been in contact with, are feeling any flu-like symptoms in the last two weeks, or if they, or anyone they know, have been travelling in the last 14 days.

If you have been, be honest, and you are going to be asked to go home, said owner Rick Read in a YouTube video. We dont want to have to close the gym again.

Increased sanitation measures are implemented between every class, and the gym has been mapped out in to individual stations which everyone will stay within during the entire class. Customers are also expected to disinfect equipment they use.

The gym is not accepting new members for the time being, and bathroom access is restricted.

For more information on Otter Point Athletics visit otterpointathletics.com.

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Sooke fitness facilities reopen to the public - Sooke News Mirror

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Counting calories is essential to lose weight. The problem is that you have to know how, since not everyone should ingest the same. In fact, it is very important to also take into account the physical exercise that is performed daily to calculate it. A study from an American university published by Mens Health magazine reveals some simple tricks that can help those who want to lose weight quickly and in a controlled way.

The key to the calories is as follows. Depending on the work carried out daily. For this, the following guideline must be followed. If no weekly exercise is performed, the persons weight must be multiplied by ten and added to a thousand, for example: a person who weighs 85 kilos must ingest about 1,850 calories to lose weight. If you do one or two weekly training sessions, you must multiply by 12 and add a thousand; if he carries out between two and four sessions, for 14 more thousand; and if there are more than five times that you exercise, it is multiplied by 16 and a thousand are added.The study revealed by Mens Health explains that the caloric deficit to lose weight should never exceed 500 calories, as it could be harmful to health.

Another key that the study reveals is that approximately 10 percent of the calories ingested are burned in digestion.

As for exercise, the same study by the American magazine reveals that a person burns around 20 percent of the total calories ingested throughout the day thanks to exercise. You dont need that high intensity exercise. For example, a person who weighs 85 kilos burns about 180 calories just by walking for half an hour.

Another aspect to consider according to the study is that when counting calories, liquids should not be left out. This is not a problem when the only thing ingested is water, but it is not so much if we talk about other drinks, such as beer. For example, a cane has about 150 calories. If we take two and we are doing a diet in which we reduce the daily intake by about 300 calories, we will have thrown overboard the sacrifice made in the food.

Also keep in mind that it is highly advisable to have a varied and balanced diet and put yourself in the hands of a professional.

Link:
Weight loss tricks: An American study reveals the two keys to keep in mind to lose weight - Explica

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If you want to lose weight, you need to exercise. Regular physical activity will also boost your overall health and mental wellbeing. But unfortunately, many people are using the excuse of lockdown to get out of their daily exercise session. This can be disastrous for not only your waistline but also for your health. According to a study from the Journal of Applied Physiology, just a two-week break from workout can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, insulin sensitivity and more. Many experts have also found out that chronic stress and anxiety have a close association with obesity. According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, there is a link between light physical exercises and lower stress, better mood and lower body mass index (BMI). So apart from weight loss, exercise will also boost your health, which is a bonus. Also Read - 5-min workout routine to lose weight from your lower body

Here are a few low-intensity workouts which will help you lose weight and boost health. And, you cant even use the excuse of space constraint because you can perform these exercises standing in your kitchen while cooking. Also Read - You need to trim your lats for fast weight loss: A few workouts for you

Note:Try to walk or jog on the spot for 15 to 45 seconds after every exercise. And dont forget your 5-minute stretch to cool down after you have finished working out. Also Read - Best exercises for burning calories and losing weight

This workout can easily be performed in the kitchen as it just requires you to jump wherever you are standing before moving forward or backwards.

This is another workout that you can perform inside your kitchen even if it is small.

You must be familiar with this exercise as it is one of the most effective workouts for weight loss. Squats just require you to take a sitting position where there is no chair. This is yet another simple exercise to perform with in your kitchen.

Here, you just need to put one step forward and then backward. It doesnt require a bigger space and can be done quickly too.

Theburpee is a full body exercise which is used instrength training and weight loss. The basic movement is performed in four steps and known as a four-count burpee. Doing this exercise quickly in a lesser number of time can help you keep your weight intact.

Published : June 5, 2020 8:21 pm | Updated:June 5, 2020 10:53 pm

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5 weight loss exercises to practice while cooking during lockdown - TheHealthSite

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With what the world is living in 2020, its imperative to shop for businesses that are supporting other organizations. Now that masks have become part of our daily lives when stepping out, one of Meghan Markles favorite ethical brands, Everlane, recently restocked their cotton masks to be a part of their 100% Human Collection. The line which also includes t-shirts, tank tops, and sweatshirts, stands by supporting two things that are important to the company and that the world needs to be reminded of: Protecting human rights and remembering that we are more similar than we are different.

With Everlanes sustainable mentality, the masks are made using leftover knit materials, which means you can expect them to be just as comfortable as their tees and tanks (yay!). Each one has Lycra ear loops that offer some stretch meaning you wont have to worry about hurting your ears (another yay!). They are made from a double layer of cotton fabric, and the brand recommends washing the mask before and after every wear.

For this reason, they are offered in packs of three, so you can easily switch them up. You can choose between an all-black kit or one with a mix of black, heather grey and charcoal grey, and each pack retails for $28.

In the wake of the recent protests following George Floyds death, the company has pledged to donate through their 100% Human initiative, $75,000 to ACLU and to the Equal Justice Initiative, both of which are advocating for racial injustices in addition to many other social issues.

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This Meghan Markle-loved brand made face masks that send a valid and humane message - HOLA! USA

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AS we move into our third month in lockdown, many of us will be feeling the result of a few too many trips to the fridge.

And some of us may even be fearing the so-called "Quarantine 15" - what some people have dubbed the weight gain likely to be caused from weeks of self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic.

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However, top fitness coach and weight loss mindset specialist Jenna Rigby, reveals that there's one easy way to get back in shape - and that's by knowing your body type.

She says that by simply adapting your workouts for your body type, this can speed up weight loss and make you love the skin that you're in.

Jenna, who has teamed up with advice website Flawless.org, said: "Our bodies come in all different shapes and sizes, and its important to understand our own individual type in order to highlight our best bits.

"Remember that the purpose of exercise is to burn fat and build muscle.

"Exercising will enhance your body shape and, in some way, change its appearance, but its possible your body shape wont change."

Here, the GlamFIT Studios coach takes us through her recommended exercises for each body type, to enhance your figure and boost weight loss...

A rectangle is a straight up and down body type where your measurements are usually the same in all areas.

Women with this body type often strive to create curves that dont naturally occur.

The best exercises: To enhance and create curves, dedicate particular days of exercise to the specific body parts you want to enhance.

"For example, to build a booty you need to focus on building muscle through glute exercises such as squats.

"When muscle needs to be created, weighted exercises such as deadlifts and weighted lunges will help you build those areas quicker.

Triangle is one of the most common body types, your shoulders and bust are narrower than your hips and you tend to have slim arms.

The best exercises: To begin with, focus on fat burn around the stubborn areas - this can be achieved through HIIT-style workouts which keep you in the fat burning zone the longest.

"Keep each workout varied and focused on exercising the whole body evenly. And dont forget those beautiful arms!

"Theyre already slim so perfect to get toned up quickly and look good in those sleeveless dresses."

The best online fitness classes in lockdown

1. P.E with Joe Wicks

While they're theoretically aimed at children, the Body Coach's 30-minute classesare straightforward, fun-packed and challenging enough for literally anyone to take part in.

2. Psycle

Psycle offer between four and sixInstagram live workoutsevery single day, including abs blast sessions, revival yoga, HIIT, barre and meditation.

3. Barry's Bootcamp

Each of their Instagram live classes are a quick-fire combination of body weight training, cardio and intense aerobic exercise that keeps the heart rate elevated, meaning you burn more calories.

4. Peloton

The Peloton fitness app is jam-packed with easy-to-follow and high-quality fitness videos. Their classes included yoga, strength, meditation, cardio and bootcamp classes.

5. Pilates PT

Award winning pilates instructor and founder of 'The Pilates PT Method'Hollie Grantis live streaming her high demandclasses via Zoom.

If your shoulders and bust are larger than your relatively narrow hips, you have whats known as an inverted triangle and are often seen as 'top heavy'.

The best exercises: Posture is key in enhancing this body type.

"Try pairing up chest and back day to provide strength in these areas and help to elevate your posture.

"My favourite chest exercise has to be press-ups, and lateral pull-down and hyper back extension are great for the back."

If you have broader hips than shoulders, a narrow bust, and a fuller waistline, you have whats called a diamond body shape.

With this, you may carry a little more weight in your upper legs.

The best exercises: Start by defining your legs - running and uphill walking will help create that definition.

"This body type also often has a naturally flat stomach so HIIT training works well to maximise fat-burn in this area and show off your best features.

"My favourite stomach burners have to be bicycles and lying leg raises.

Often the most desired body type, your buttocks and bust are well-balanced, and the waist is also defined.

Your body is generally in proportion throughout.

The best exercises: Your workouts need to be evenly balanced amongst all body areas to avoid losing those curves.

"Starting with cardio and moving onto a full body circuit routine is the best way to burn fat evenly.

"Circuit classes, CrossFit, and dance often work well for these body types."

If youre naturally muscular but not particularly curvy, you have an athletic body type - your shoulder and hip measurements are about the same.

Your waist is narrower than your shoulder and hips, but it isnt overly defined and looks more straight up and down.

The best exercises: This body type is perfect for weight training and muscle definition can easily be achieved to create curves in all the right places.

"Weighted squats and deadlifts compound exercises will help build the lower body curves and supersets on the biceps and triceps (bicep curls and tricep pull-downs) will provide arms envied by many."

How to work out if you're a healthy weight

The body mass index(BMI) is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is healthy.

The BMI calculation dividesan adult's weight in kilograms by their height in metres squared. For example, A BMI of 25 means 25kg/m2.

For most adults, an ideal BMI is in the 18.5 to 24.9 range.

For children and young people aged2 to 18, the BMIcalculation takes into account age and gender as well as height and weight.

If your BMI is:

If you want to calculate your BMI, try the NHS' healthy weight calculator.

Source: NHS

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To conclude, Jenna says: "Its important to remember with any body type, cardio and fat-burning activities will always help enhance your figure and get your body type looking its best.

"Keep your workouts initially focusing on the full body and then move onto enhancing your best features three-six months into a routine.

"Toning is not about losing your best features its all about embracing and showing them off."

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The best way to lose weight for your body shape revealed from hour-glass to apple - The Scottish Sun

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On this page:BasicsTypesCausesRisk FactorsSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentLifestyle ChangesLife With Arrhythmia

When your heart beats normally, you probably dont give it a second thought. But when that steady thump-thump changes, it could be a sign that something more is going on. There are numerous conditions that can cause your heart rate to speed up, slow down, or lose its regular rhythm. Some are nothing more than an annoyance. Others can be much more serious. We'll help you sort through the differences so you can get the treatment you need.

Weve all heard the sayings my heart skipped a beat and my heart was pounding out of my chest! Maybe thats why so many of us think of irregular heart rhythms as occasional episodes that are triggered by unusual levels of happiness, fear, or excitementand its true, they sometimes can be. But for people who live with irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias, their symptoms occur for a variety of reasons, often triggered by a combination of factors, including genetics, underlying physical conditions, stimulants like cigarettes and alcohol, and/or those external stressors or high emotions.

So, lets get to the details. Arrhythmias are abnormal heartbeats that interfere with your hearts ability to pump blood efficiently and effectively. They can make your heart beat much faster or slower than it should, and sometimes it beats in an out-of-sync manner.

Most arrhythmias wont harm you, but the more serious types can prevent your brain, heart, and other organs from getting the blood and oxygen they need to survive and thrive. Some arrhythmias can be fatal.

For example, one type of arrhythmia, called atrial fibrillation, can cause blood clots to form. Such clots can travel to your brain and trigger a stroke, or, less commonly, cause a pulmonary embolism, a blockage in one of the arteries in your lungs. As scary as this is, these conditions can be treated when they're detected in time.

Before we dive into the details, though, lets start with how your heart beats when its doing its job the way its supposed to:

You know that your heart is a pump, and each beat or contraction moves blood through the body.

It has four chambers: On top are the left and right atria. On the bottom are the left and right ventricles.

To keep your blood flowing at a rate necessary to meet your bodys needs, the walls of each chamber contract and relax in a steady rhythm.

Thats your heart beating. It gets faster when you exercise or move around, as the demand for oxygen grows, and it slows down while youre at rest.

What controls this complex process? The heart has its own pacemaker. Called the sinus node, it's located at the top of the right atrium. It sends electrical signals to each part of your heart telling it what to do and when. Here's how it works:

First, the signal instructs the atria to contract, which pushes blood into the ventricles.

Next, it pauses at the atrioventricular (AV) node, which is med-speak for the electrical connection between atria and the ventricles. That little time-out gives the ventricles a sec to fill up.

Finally, the signal tells the ventricles to contract. Blood in the right ventricle heads over to the lungs to pick up oxygen. Blood on the left flows out to the rest of the body.

This whole signaling system works thanks to your autonomic nervous system, which also controls your liver, kidneys, and other bodily organs. They all function without any input from you (imagine if you literally had to think through every heart beat!). When all works as it should, your heart will beat approximately 60 to 100 times each minute.

Arrhythmias can be grouped in a couple of different ways, including where in the heart they occur and how they affect your beat.

Now, lets break it down even further.

Lets go back to the saying, My heart skipped a beat! Youve probably had one of these before. In fact, nearly everyone experiences them on occasion. This can occur spontaneously or with stress, excessive exercise, smoking, or too many cups of coffee rather than from an underlying heart condition.

These types of arrhythmias, officially called premature atrial contractions (PACs) or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), are the most common types and are rarely cause for concern. They can originate in either the atria or ventricles. Theyre often found in children and teenagers. But if they happen frequently or they bother you, talk to your doctor. Its rare, but they can be a sign of an underlying heart problem, such as injury to the heart, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

This type of arrhythmia, which can sometimes be life-threatening, starts in the atria. When it occurs, your heart can beat faster than 100 beats per minute at rest (which is another way of saying youre experiencing tachycardia).

Supraventricular arrhythmias include:

Atrial fibrillation (afib): This is the most common type of arrhythmia that requires medical intervention. Afib causes an erratic and often rapid heartbeat. During an episode, your heart cant pump as well as it does normally, and blood may pool in your left atrium. Clots can form there, and if one gets into your bloodstream, it can travel to your brain and cause a stroke. Afib can also lead to heart failure.

Most people who develop afib already have underlying heart disease and are 65 or older, though this condition can occur in young, healthy people as well. Episodes tend to be short and infrequent at first, coming and going on their own. However, as the disease progresses, episodes happen more often and will eventually require medical intervention to stop. For example, your doctor may have to shock your heart to correct its beating.

People with afib commonly take medications to prevent stroke, such as blood thinners. Other drugs and procedures may be needed to correct the hearts rhythm and rate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that between about 3 and 6 million people in the U.S. have atrial fibrillation.

Atrial flutter: Similar to atrial fibrillation but rarer, it causes a super-fast heartbeatsometimes more than 300 beats per minutethats regular rather than erratic. Because the same type of pooling and clotting can occur, atrial flutter can also lead to a stroke or heart failure. However, such complications can usually be avoided with proper treatment.

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT): This is another very rapid heartbeat (up to 250 beats per minute) that starts and stops suddenly. Its often not dangerous. However, some PSVTs are cause for concern. People with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, for example, are born with an extra electrical pathway that connects the hearts upper and lower chambers. While this PSVT only rarely causes cardiac arrest, it can cause fainting.

These arrhythmias, which can also cause fast and irregular heartbeats, start in the ventricles, your hearts lower chambers. While they can be life-threatening without treatment, there are procedures and medications available that restore a normal heart rate when it occurs.

Ventricular tachycardia: This type of rapid heartbeatoften greater than 170 beats per minutedisrupts the ventricles ability to fill and pump properly. When this type of arrhythmia lasts only a handful of heartbeats, it does not cause problems; however, if it lasts longer, it can cause dizziness, shortness of breath, fainting or, in extreme cases, cardiac arrest.

Ventricular fibrillation: The most serious of the arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation is a medical emergency requiring an immediate call to 911. When this arrhythmia strikes, it causes the lower chambers (venticles) to quiver instead of contract, which stops the heart from pumping blood. If the heartbeat is not corrected within minutes, ventricular fibrillation leads to cardiac arrest and death.

This type of arrhythmia causes your heart to beat too slowly. For the average adult, that means under 60 heart beats a minute at rest or while doing non-strenuous activities (although a slowed rate during sleep is not unusual or always cause for alarm, according to the American Heart Association).

Your heart's natural pacemaker (remember, it's called the sinus node), is located in the right atrium. It sends electrical impulses across the atria, triggering them to pump blood into the ventricles. Bradyarrhythmias occur when those signals are blocked. This slowing or blockage can be caused by tissue damage from aging, previous heart procedures, inflammatory diseases, birth defects, and more.

In some people, slow heartbeats are perfectly normal. Athletes, for example, are very physically fit and therefore have hearts that work super efficiently, both when theyre working out and, say, sitting behind a desk. Thats because people who are in top physical condition can pump sufficient blood with fewer heart beats at restas few as 50 each minute.

Still, for regular Joes and Janes who are not daily gym bunnies or Olympic track stars, when the heart beats too slowly to meet the body and brains needs, there is a risk of passing out. The lack of oxygen may also cause confusion and shortness of breath. In extreme cases, cardiac arrest can occur.

This arrhythmia compromises the ability of your hearts pacemaker, or sinus node, to properly control your heart rate, causing it to swing from too slow to too fast or to wildly erratic. It can lead to stroke, heart failure, and cardiac arrest.

Your hearts electrical signals travel a route from their origin in the sinus node to their destination, such as your ventricles. If the route gets blocked, the signals may slow down, causing a dip in your heart rate.

Most arrhythmias occur in people who already have some form of heart disease. They can also occur in people who possess structurally normal hearts with no sign of disease, but rather have issues with how the electrical pathways in their hearts are working.

Having had a heart attack, for example, can increase your odds of an arrhythmia because the scarring that results can form along the path that the electrical signals interfering with transmission. Arrhythmias can also occur during a heart attack, as cells die off and scar tissue develops.

Specifically, the heart disease-related causes of arrhythmia include:

This buildup of plaque narrows and stiffens the heart's arteries. As blood flow and oxygen to the heart is reduced, the way it responds to electrical signals may change. This can cause atrial fibrillation.

CAD also frequently leads to heart attack, and the scarring can increase your risk of both ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Both can both also occur during a heart attack due to the sudden loss of blood flow in the heart.

This disease weakens your heart and alters the way electrical signals travel through your heart, setting you up for arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, sick sinus syndrome, and ventricular tachycardia.

When your hearts system of valves does not work properly, it can put extra strain on your heart. That causes the heartyour most important muscleto enlarge and stiffen. Heart-valve disorders are among the most common causes of atrial fibrillation. They can also trigger ventricular tachycardia.

Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune disorders often affect the heart and can cause arrhythmias, likely due to the chronic inflammation that occurs in such diseases. For example, lupus raises the risk of faster than normal heartbeats (above 100 beats per minute) as well as atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

In addition to these causes, many risk factorssome in your control, others notup your odds of developing an arrhythmia. Many of them also increase your risk of heart disease more broadly. They include:

Hypertension makes your heart work harder. As a result, your left ventricle grows thick and stiffens, which interferes with your hearts electrical wiring. Electrical signals can no longer move as easily, which increases your risk of atrial fibrillation.

This disease significantly boosts your odds of developing HBP and CAD, and people with diabetes have as much as 40% higher risk of atrial fibrillation. Inflammation associated with diabetes is once again the likely culprit.

Excess weight makes the heart work harder, and that extra strain can cause the heart to enlarge, making it more susceptible to atrial fibrillation. Obesity also often accompanies other arrhythmia risk factors, such as HBP, sleep apnea, and diabetes.

When your breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep, your heart gets less oxygen. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to atrial fibrillation and other usually less serious arrhythmias, including premature contraction.

If your body produces too much thyroid hormone, your heart may beat harder and faster. When left untreated, this can trigger afib.

As we get older, our hearts internal pacemaker loses cells, which causes it to slow down. Age-related heart changes can also affect the pathways that electricity follows. And with age we become more prone to diseases that affect the heart, like CAD, heart failure, and diabetes. Arrhythmias among the elderly include atrial fibrillation, bradycardias (slow heart beats), sick sinus syndrome, and other atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.

You can be born with structural abnormalities of the heart that affect the way it conducts electricity, leading to atrial tachycardias as well as life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

The genes that you inherit from your parents play a role in the development of some types of arrhythmias, called cardiac channelopathies. They can cause your heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly whether or not you have other forms or heart disease.

The most common inherited arrhythmia is long QT syndrome, in which the lower chambers of the heart develop a rapid and irregular rhythm that can lead to ventricular fibrillation, a life-threating arrhythmia. Many people have no symptoms until they experience fainting, seizure, or even sudden cardiac arrest. Most first epsiodes occur before age 40. If you have a family history of this heart condition, ask your doctor for screening tests, which may include genetic testing, wearing event montoring devices, and an electrocardiogram (ECG).

Other examples of arrhythmias that you can be born with include:

Will you feel your heart speed up or slow down? Not always. Arrhythmias cause a variety of symptoms, but you may have no symptoms at all. Often, people learn they have an arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation by chance.

Maybe you get a required heart exam prior to knee surgery, for example, and your doctor discovers a problem. Or a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation may come after youve already had a stroke. For others, a rapidly beating or erratic heartbeat is both noticeable and uncomfortable. Every person is different.

Something else to keep in mind: Having mild symptoms or no symptoms does not indicate that you have a less serious arrhythmia. And the opposite is also true. You could have severe symptoms but have a harmless arrhythmia. Here are some of the common symptoms:

These can feel differently for different people, but you may experience a pounding sensation in your chest, or you may feel like your hearts racing that famous mile a minute.

Remember from above: Some arrhythmias can cause your heart to beat to more than 100 times each minuteand sometimes much faster than that. You may also feel like your heart has skipped a beat or a beat has come earlier than usual. Again, though, that you may not feel any abnormal beating during an episode of arrhythmia.

Some or all of these can occur when your heart rates off and your heart cant pump blood efficiently. That can reduce the amount of oxygen your heart delivers to the rest of your body, resulting in shortness of breath. Both fast and slow heartbeats can cause these symptoms, according to the AHA.

People can faint from dehydration, emotional distress, or even standing up a little too quickly, and then quickly recover. Fainting from an arrhythmia, however, is caused when your blood pressure dropssometimes to dangerously low levels. Such drops in blood pressure are medical emergencies, so if you have a history of arrhythmias, be sure to carry or wear a medical ID card, necklace, or bracelet so others know to call 911.

You likely will see an electrophysiologist, a specialized type of cardiologist who focuses on heart-rhythm disorders. Early treatment may lead to better treatment outcomes. This is particularly true of atrial fibrillation, which may cause a stroke if left untreated.

In addition to a physical exam and a discussion of your family health history, your doctor will record your hearts electrical activity with an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), a painless test that lasts about ten minutes. It will reveal any abnormalities with your hearts electrical wiring that take place during the test.

However, arrhythmias often come and go, and yours may not occur during your ECG at your doctors office. If that happens, there are options:

These wearable devices will monitor your hearts activity while you go about your normal daily routine. If you are given an event recorder, you will turn it on when your symptoms begin, and it will start recording your hearts activity. Holter monitors, on the other hand, are worn 24/7 (except when youre in the shower), for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. These smart-phone-sized devices automatically begin recording as soon as a change is detected. Theyre considered to be more effective because they capture irregularity during its first stages.

If your arrhythmia most often occurs during physical exertion, your doctor may order a stress test, in which you will get your heart rate going on a treadmill or exercise bike (or with medication if you cant exercise).

During this invasive surgical procedure, a catheter, or thin wire, is inserted through a vein, often in your groin, and threaded to your heart. Electrodes at the catheters tip stimulate the heart so that your doctor can evaluate its electrical function. This test helps find the cause of your arrhythmia and also helps guide treatment decisions. You will be awake but sedated for this one- to four-hour test. Often, youll go home the same day, but your doctor may decide to monitor you overnight.

Strapped onto a table in a horizontal position, you are slowly raised until you are vertical. This shows how your blood and heart rhythm respond to gravity and changes in position. This test is often done to trigger symptoms like lightheadedness, which can be caused by a heartbeat thats too slow or too fast.

A wide variety of treatments exist to help you manage your arrhythmia. Your doctor will determine which therapeutic approach is best for you depending on your specific symptoms.

For some arrhythmias, medications can be used to restore your heart beat to normal. They include:

Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digitalis

These medications slow the heart and may be prescribed if your arrhythmia causes your heart to race.

Anticoagulants and antiplatelets

These include drugs such as warfarin and aspirin. They prevent clots and reduce your risk of stroke.

Antiarrhythmics

These medications help correct your heart beat and to keep your heart beating normally. If your doctor prescribes one of these, you may start it in the hospital, where you can be observed to be sure its effective and safe for you at the prescribed dose. They include:

Nexterone and Pacerone (Amiodarone): One of the most commonly prescribe drugs for arrhythmia, its often taken for atrial fibrillation. It can also treat other arrhythmias, including dangerous ventricular arrhythmias like ventricular fibrillation.

Tambocor (Flecainide): Used for irregular heartbeats, to slow a fast heart rate, and to maintain a normal rhythm, it works by relaxing the heart to improve how well it pumps blood. Its used to treat some types of supraventricular tachycardia as well as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. It also may be used for dangerous arrhythmias called sustained ventricular tachycardias, which are too-fast rhythms that require medical intervention to restore a normal heartbeat.

Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine, and Sotylize (Solatol): Prescribed for atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation, this medication, which comes in various brands names, is used primarily in patients with life-threatening arrhythmias.

When medications cant do the job, your doctor may recommend a procedure.

Catheter Ablation

A catheter is threaded to your heart via the groin. Once there, your doctor will apply heat or extreme cold to small areas of your heart, creating tiny scars. These block the pathway of the electrical signal thats causing your arrhythmia. Most often, its used to treat supraventricular tachycardia, but it can also treat both atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.

Cardioversion

When your heart beats irregularly or too fast, your doctor may have to shock it in order to get it back to normal. While sedated, two paddlesone on your chest, the other on your backdeliver brief electrical shocks to right your heart. The procedure takes about 30 minutes.

Implantable Devices

If your arrhythmia cant be managed sufficiently with medication and/or procedures, you may require a different kind of solution: a device that helps control the electrical signaling of your heart.

Pacemaker: A small device is implanted under your skin below one of your collarbones. Wires from the device run through a vein and attach to the heart. They deliver signals that tell your heart to beat faster and are used for bradycardias, or arrhythmias that slow your heart beat. Some pacemakers connect directly to your heart without the need for wires.

Cardioverter-defibrillator: Implanted like a pacemaker but slightly larger, this device monitors your heart constantly. It can sense when a life-threatening arrhythmia, such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, occurs. It shocks the heart to restore a normal heartbeat.

In addition to sticking with your treatment planif your arrhythmia requires treatment, that isyoull need to focus on a healthy lifestyle to protect your heart and help prevent symptoms.

That means:

Eat well: Focus on foods that support heart health, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean meats, and fish. Avoid foods with saturated and trans fats, limit red meat, and choose whole foods over highly processed foods, which are often loaded with sodium and sugar.

Exercise: After getting your doctors OK, your goal should be 30 minutes a day five days a week. You and your doctor can discuss the right workout for you. To start, it may be something as mild as a daily walk around your neighborhood.

Weight loss: If youre overweight or obese, slimming down will help your heart. Losing weight can lower blood pressure, which reduces the risk of stroke.

Limit alcohol: Booze can stress your heart and make it beat faster. It can also trigger arrhythmias. Your doctor can help you decide if you need to cut it out altogether.

Quit smoking: Your hearts health will improve dramatically, and youll be less likely to have an arrhythmia if you break this habit. Visit the American Heart Association to get help to stop smoking today.

Sleep well: If you have sleep apnea, which disturbs your breathing constantly as you sleep, you will likely benefit from a device known as a C-PAP, which helps open your airways during the night and keeps you breathing normally. Good sleep will also help improve your blood pressure.

Tackle stress: Too much worry and anxiety can up blood pressure, boost cortisol levels, and increase your risk for arrhythmias. Try daily mediation, a walk with a loved one or friend outside, or focusing on doing the things you love to better manage stress.

Pay attention to side effects: Monitoring how you feel while on a medication is super importantit might not be the best medication for you, and in some cases, medication can actually trigger an arrhythmia. You may need a dose adjustment or a different medication altogether. Share all your symptoms with your doctor.

Theres no doubt that living with an abnormal heartbeat can be stressful, even frightening. Fortunately, theres plenty that you can do to help ease your worries, which is especially important because stress can be a trigger for an episode of arrhythmia.

Read more:
Heart Arrhythmias: Types, Treatment, Signs, and Symptoms - HealthCentral.com

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