Heart arrhythmias are caused by an electrical problem with the signals that coordinate your heartbeats. Some of them are harmless, but other types can be serious and life threatening.
A healthy heart beats normally at a rate of 60-100 times a minute, or about four beats per second. During this normal heart rhythm, electrical signals start in your right upper chamber (the atrium) and travel through the veins in the arms, neck and chest. These signaling signals then arrive at a cluster of cells in the heart called the AV node, where they slow down and allow blood to fill the ventricles. The ventricles then contract to pump blood through the arteries and into the lungs or throughout the rest of your body.
Some people have a natural pacemaker, which helps control their heart’s rhythm. This natural pacemaker is located in the right atrium and sends electrical signals to your heart that help it beat at a consistent rhythm. If you have a sinus arrhythmia, it means that your sinus node is not sending the proper heart signals to the atria.
The sinus node is most often affected by scarring that occurs near it after a heart attack or other heart problems. If the scarring is too large, it can block or slow down the signals and cause an arrhythmia.
Symptoms of an arrhythmia vary, but they can include fatigue, dizziness, fainting, palpitations or pounding in the chest, shortness of breath and sweating. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s best to see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
Arrhythmias can be diagnosed using your medical and family history, a physical exam and the results of tests or procedures. These may include blood tests, a chest X-ray, an electrocardiogram (ECG) or an echocardiogram.
A heart specialist, such as a cardiologist or an electrophysiologist who specialises in heart rhythm disorders, can diagnose your type of arrhythmia and recommend treatment. Your doctor may suggest medicines, devices and surgery to treat your heart problem.
Some common heart rhythm abnormalities are ectopic beats, premature heartbeats and supraventricular arrhythmias. Ectopic beats are extra or missed beats that happen in the upper chambers of the heart, known as the atria. These beats are usually not noticed, but can cause a heart problem over time.
Premature beats are extra or missed beats that are felt by the person as a fluttering in the chest, similar to a racing heartbeat. They are often not serious, but they can be triggered by stress, exercise or certain medications, such as caffeine and nicotine.
Other symptoms of a heart arrhythmia include fatigue, dizziness and a feeling that your heart is “racing.” This can lead to other symptoms such as confusion and difficulty concentrating. If your arrhythmia is severe, it can lead to fainting or a heart attack.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter are common heart arrhythmias that can be difficult to diagnose, but they can cause serious health problems if they’re not treated. AF is more likely to develop if you’re over age 65 or if you have other medical conditions. AF also increases your risk of stroke and other potentially fatal heart problems. AF can be detected by an ECG or by a test called a tilt table, which puts you on a table that’s tilted in different positions.
