What is an arrhythmia?
An arrhythmia is a change in the rhythm of the heart rhythm. Your heart may beat too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia). Your heart rate may be irregular. This happens if your heart skips a beat or gets an extra beat. Arrhythmias are common. For most people, they are minor and not serious. However, they can be serious or life-threatening. More serious arrhythmias if you have other heart problems.
There are several types of arrhythmias. The type that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) is usually worse than the type that starts in the upper chambers (the atria).
- Atrial fibrillation: Your heart beats irregularly and too fast. This type needs treatment. It can increase your risk of stroke.
- Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia: Your heart has beats that are too fast. This can be uncomfortable. It’s not serious.
- ectopic rhythm: Your heart has an extra beat. Seek treatment if you have a few extra beats in a row and/or other heart problems. Examples include heart disease and congenital heart disease.
- Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation: My heart beats too fast. It may not pump enough These types are serious and require immediate treatment.
Cardiac arrhythmia symptoms
Sometimes, people feel their heart beat fast or skip a beat. This can be caused by strong emotions or exercise. It is usually not a cause for alarm. Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms. You may have an arrhythmia or other heart problems.
Possible signs of a more serious problem include:
- Palpitations or rapid beating in your chest
- Feeling tired or light-headed
- fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Get immediate care if symptoms occur and you have a history of heart disease or heart attack.
What causes arrhythmias?
Your heart has 4 parts, or chambers. The walls of your heart squeeze together (contract) to push blood through the chambers. Electrical signals in your heart control these. Nerve impulses and hormones in your blood affect the rate of contractions. A problem in any of these areas can cause an arrhythmia.
Heart disease is the most common cause of more serious forms of arrhythmia. Arrhythmias can be caused by congenital heart disease (CHD), abnormal heart valve function, and heart failure. Mild arrhythmias can be caused by other factors. These include alcohol abuse, smoking, caffeine, stress, or exercise. Arrhythmias can also occur for unknown reasons.
How is arrhythmia diagnosed?
Your doctor will do a physical exam and review your symptoms. He or she will ask about your health and heart history. Your doctor will do the tests. This includes an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). During this test, you will lie down and your doctor will monitor your heart rate.
Your doctor may do an exercise or stress test. This includes monitoring your heart while you walk on the treadmill. You may be given medicine to speed up your heart rate. This can help detect potential heart disease.
Another way to monitor your heart rate is to wear a device called a Holter monitor. It records your heart rate for 24 hours. If your doctor wants to monitor your heart for more than 24 hours, they can give you an event recorder. It records your heart rate patterns for several days or more. Your doctor may conduct other tests to provide information about your heart.
Can arrhythmias be prevented or avoided?
You can prevent some types of arrhythmias by making lifestyle changes. Limit alcohol use and stop smoking. Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Work with your doctor to manage heart disease or other health problems.
Treatment of arrhythmia
Treatment depends on the type of arrhythmia you have. Some mild arrhythmias may not require treatment. Other types can be treated with medication. Severe cases that require additional treatment include:
- Artificial pacemaker. The electronic device is placed under the skin on your chest. It helps your heart maintain a regular rhythm.
- defibrillation. A brief electric shock can stop the abnormal rhythm and restore a normal rhythm.
- Procedures to correct certain types of arrhythmia. If the arrhythmia occurs in a certain area of the heart, that part may be removed. A procedure called a cardiac ablation can destroy tissue in the heart causing arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias caused by health problems should be treated and managed properly.
Living with an arrhythmia
People with mild illness may need monitoring, but no other form of treatment is available. For severe cases, treatment can control your symptoms and heart rate to minimize damage. If your condition is left untreated, it can cause a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. Follow your doctor’s orders and maintain a healthy lifestyle.