Arrhythmia

What is an arrhythmia?

You may have heard someone say, “My heart skipped a beat,” when they’re excited or scared. But an irregular heartbeat, called an arrhythmia, is more common than you’d think.

An arrhythmia occurs when an abnormal electrical impulse or abnormal electrical pathway occurs in your heart. There are many different types of arrhythmias, which can be temporary or permanent.

Often, arrhythmias are annoying but not life threatening. However, if left untreated, irregular heartbeats can interfere with how your heart pumps blood to the rest of your body, which can increase the likelihood of a blood clot, heart attack or stroke. The good news is that most arrhythmias are manageable with medications, procedures or devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators.

What are the symptoms of an arrhythmia?

Arrhythmias can vary by type and degree of severity, and each can cause different symptoms. However, some arrhythmias don’t cause any noticeable symptoms.

Arrhythmias are classified into two broad categories: bradycardia and tachycardia.

Bradycardia, or a heartbeat that’s too slow (beating less than 60 times per minute) can cause the following symptoms:

• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Memory or cognition issues
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Fainting (also known as syncope)

Tachycardia, or a too-fast heartbeat (beating more than 100 times per minute) can cause:

• Heart palpitations
• Racing heart
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Anxiety
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Sweating

Specific types of irregular heartbeats include:

• Atrial fibrillation (aFib)
• Atrial flutter
• Premature atrial contractions
• Premature ventricular contraction (or PVC)
• Supraventricular arrhythmias
• Ventricular fibrillation

Feeling a fluttering sensation in your chest, heart palpitations or other symptoms of an irregular heartbeat doesn’t necessarily mean you have an arrhythmia. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions.

What causes an irregular heartbeat?

Things like caffeine, alcohol and stress can cause small, temporary arrhythmias, like PVCs. But certain behaviors, genetics and risk factors can increase your chances of developing a permanent arrhythmia.

• High blood pressure: One-third of American adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Hypertension increases the risk of not only developing an arrhythmia, but experiencing a heart attack, stroke, heart failure or kidney failure.
• Diabetes: Those with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop an arrhythmia.
• Heart disease: People with a history of heart attacks or abnormal heart valves are more likely to develop heart rhythm problems.
• Being overweight: People who have excess body fat — especially around the waist area — are more likely to develop an irregular heart rhythm, even if they have no other risk factors.
• Family history: If you have a family member who has been diagnosed with heart disease prematurely (before 55 for men or 65 for women), you have a greater risk for developing a heart condition.
• Age: The risk of developing an arrhythmia increases as you get older.
• Other risk factors: The risk of developing an arrhythmia increases with:
  • Having sleep apnea, a thyroid condition or asthma
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Smoking
  • Recreational drug use

How is an arrhythmia diagnosed?

Our team of heart specialists is experienced in diagnosing and treating all kinds of arrhythmias.

We offer screening tests that use the most advanced technology to better detect irregular heartbeats, including:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – The most common way to diagnose an arrhythmia, this noninvasive test uses small electrodes (or wires) attached to your chest and arms to record your heart’s electrical activity.
• Heart monitor – Different types of heart rhythm monitors are available to wear anywhere from 24 hours to 4 weeks to record your heart’s electrical activity. This device helps your doctor monitor your heart’s rhythm.
• Blood tests – These tests can also rule out any issues with your thyroid, liver or kidneys.
• Echocardiogram – With this test, a wand-like device is placed on your chest and uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart chambers and valves.
• Stress test – This test involves monitoring your heart while you exercise. A stress test helps assess blockages in the blood vessels of your heart as well as heart rhythm problems associated with exercise.
• Tilt table test – During this noninvasive test, your doctor will have you lie on a special table while your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored when you are elevated to the standing position.