A heart arrhythmia may feel like a fluttering, pounding or racing heartbeat. Some heart arrhythmias are harmless. Others may cause life-threatening symptoms.
There are times when it is OK to have a fast or slow heartbeat. For example, the heart may beat faster with exercise or slow down during sleep.
Heart arrhythmia treatment may include medicines, devices such as pacemakers, or a procedure or surgery. The goals of treatment are to control or get rid of fast, slow or otherwise irregular heartbeats. A heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent heart damage that can trigger some heart arrhythmias.
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Symptoms
A heart arrhythmia may not cause any symptoms.
The irregular heartbeat may be noticed during a health checkup for another reason.
Symptoms of an arrhythmia may include:
A fluttering, pounding or racing feeling in the chest.
A fast heartbeat.
A slow heartbeat.
Chest pain.
Shortness of breath.
Other symptoms may include:
Anxiety.
Feeling very tired.
Lightheadedness or dizziness.
Sweating.
Fainting or almost fainting.
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Causes
Sick sinus syndrome. The sinus node sets the pace of the heart. If the node doesn't work properly, the heart rate may switch between too slow and too fast. Sick sinus syndrome can be caused by scarring near the sinus node that slows, disrupts or blocks heartbeat signals. The condition is most common among older adults.
Conduction block. A block of the heart's electrical pathways can cause the signals that trigger the heartbeats to slow down or stop. Some blocks may cause no symptoms. Others may cause skipped beats or slowed heartbeats.
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Diagnosis
Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Atrial flutter
Supraventricular tachycardia
Ventricular fibrillation.
Ventricular tachycardia
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Treatment
If you feel like your heart is beating too fast or too slow, or it's skipping a beat, make an appointment for a health checkup. You may be told to see a doctor trained in heart diseases, called a cardiologist.
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Prevention
If you feel like your heart is beating too fast or too slow, or it's skipping a beat, make an appointment for a health checkup. You may be told to see a doctor trained in heart diseases, called a cardiologist.
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Risk Factors
A type of arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation can cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure. This can cause the person to fall to the ground within seconds, also called collapse. Soon the person's breathing and pulse will stop. Ventricular fibrillation is an emergency that needs immediate medical help. It's the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death.
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Complications
Get emergency medical care if you have these heart symptoms:
Chest pain.
Shortness of breath.
Fainting.
Medical Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.
