Understanding Heart Arrythmias (Irregular Heartbeat)

A heart arrythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat. It may feel as if your heart has literally skipped a beat, is beating more than usual, beating too fast (tachycardia), beating too slow (bradycardia), or beating with an irregular rhythm. Once detected, a heart arrythmia should immediately checked by a doctor to determine its underlying cause and seek prompt treatment.

What Causes Heart Arrythmias?

A heart arrythmia occurs when the electric impulses that coordinate heartbeats are not functioning properly, usually due to an underlying heart condition such as coronary artery disease, heart muscle disorder (cardiomyopathy), valve disorders and high blood pressure (hypertension). An individual may also temporarily experience irregular heartbeats after undergoing heart surgery. Infections, heart injury, medications, stress, strong emotions, and diet and exercise are causes of irregular heartbeats as well.

Symptoms of Heart Arrythmia

The common symptoms of a heart arrythmia are:

• Heart palpitations
• Too fast or too slow heartbeats
• Chest pain
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Fatigue
• Fainting

A heart arrythmia may also be silent and asymptomatic, and is detected incidentally during routine check-ups.

How Is Heart Arrythmia Diagnosed?

The cardiologist will perform a review of one’s personal and family medical history, as well as a physical exam. Other tests such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress test, and heart MRI may also be carried out in order to provide an accurate diagnosis. In some cases, the patient may need to wear a Holter monitor, which observes and records the heart’s activity as the patient goes about his or her daily routine.

How Is a Heart Arrythmia Treated?

Treatment for heart arrythmias will depend on the cause and severity of symptoms. For mild cases, the doctor will advise the patient to return for follow-up appointments to check whether the arrythmia has resolved or worsen. However, in cases where symptoms are moderate to severe, treatment may range from medications and therapy to surgery, including the placement of a pacemaker or coronary bypass surgery.

If you experience signs of an irregular heartbeat, especially if persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, please seek medical attention from a cardiologist promptly.