What is the best treatment for premature beats in the elderly?

Sep 24, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Possible causes of premature beats in the elderly may include excessive fatigue, chronic sleep deprivation, emotional stress and anxiety, unhealthy lifestyle habits, myocarditis, etc. Treatment options such as general management and medication can be adopted under the guidance of a physician. It is important to ensure adequate rest, avoid overexertion and prolonged lack of sleep, and maintain emotional stability in daily life.

In general, there is no single best treatment for premature beats in elderly individuals. The causes of premature beats in the elderly may include excessive fatigue, chronic sleep deprivation, emotional stress and anxiety, myocardial ischemia, myocarditis, and other factors. Treatment under a doctor's guidance may involve general management, medications, and other approaches. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Excessive Fatigue

Prolonged physical or mental fatigue in elderly individuals can increase cardiac load and elevate excitability of myocardial cells, thereby triggering premature beats. It is important to ensure adequate rest, avoid overexertion, and maintain a balanced schedule between work and rest.

2. Chronic Sleep Deprivation (Staying Up Late)

Staying up late disrupts normal sleep cycles, leading to insufficient sleep and reduced sleep quality, which in turn affects the autonomic nervous regulation of the heart and may induce premature beats. Establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding excessive use of electronic devices at night, and practicing relaxation techniques before bedtime—such as meditation or listening to soft music—are recommended.

3. Emotional Stress and Anxiety

Emotional stress and anxiety can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, increasing the excitability of myocardial cells, potentially causing premature beats in elderly individuals. Psychological counseling and learning relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises or yoga may be beneficial.

4. Myocardial Ischemia

Myocardial ischemia may result from coronary artery narrowing or blockage, leading to inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle. This condition may cause premature beats and is often accompanied by symptoms such as chest tightness and palpitations. Under medical supervision, medications such as isosorbide dinitrate tablets, metoprolol tartrate sustained-release tablets, and bisoprolol fumarate capsules may be prescribed for treatment.

5. Myocarditis

Myocarditis is usually caused by viral infections, such as influenza virus or Coxsackie virus, resulting in inflammation and damage to myocardial cells, which may trigger premature beats in the elderly. Other possible symptoms include fever, fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, and edema. Patients should follow medical advice and take medications such as Guanxin Danshen dripping pills, Wenxin granules, and coenzyme Q10 capsules as appropriate.

In daily life, it is important to ensure sufficient rest, avoid overexertion and chronic sleep deprivation, maintain emotional stability, learn relaxation techniques, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, reduce intake of stimulants such as caffeine, and maintain healthy lifestyle habits to minimize the occurrence of premature beats.