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OVERVIEW

What is arrhythmia?

An arrhythmia is a change in the rhythm of your heartbeat. Your heart may beat too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia). Your heartbeat may be irregular. This occurs if your heart skips a beat or has an extra beat. Arrhythmias are common. For most people, they are minor and not serious. However, they can be severe or life-threatening. Arrhythmias are more serious if you have other heart problems.

There are several types of arrhythmias. The type that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles) can be worse than those that start in the upper chambers (atria).

• Atrial fibrillation: Your heart beats irregularly and too fast. This type requires treatment. It can increase your risk of stroke.
• Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia: Your heart has episodes of beating too fast. This may cause discomfort. It is not severe.
• Ectopic beats:Your heart has an extra beat. Seek treatment if you have several extra beats in a row and/or other problems with your heart. Examples include heart disease and congenital heart disease.
• Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation: The heart beats too fast. It may not pump enough. These types are severe and require immediate treatment.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of arrhythmia

Sometimes, people feel their heart race or skip a beat. These can be brought on by strong emotions or exercise. They usually are not a cause for alarm. Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms. You may have an arrhythmia or other heart problem. Possible signs of a more serious problem include:

• Palpitations or rapid thumping in your chest
• Feeling tired or light-headed
• Passing out
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

Get care right away if symptoms occur and you have a history of heart disease or heart attacks.

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

What causes arrhythmia?

The heart has 4 compartments, or chambers. The walls of the heart squeeze together (contract) to push blood through the chambers. The contractions are controlled by an electrical signal that begins in the heart’s natural “pacemaker” (called the sinoatrial node). Nerve impulses and hormones in the blood influence the rate of the contractions. A problem in any of these can cause an arrhythmia.

Heart disease is the most common cause of the more serious forms of arrhythmias. Arrhythmias can be caused by congenital heart disease (CHD), abnormal heart valve function, and heart failure. Minor arrhythmias may be caused by other factors. These include alcohol abuse, smoking, caffeine, stress, or exercise. Arrhythmias also can occur for no known reason.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

How is arrhythmia diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will do a physical exam and review your symptoms. They will ask about your heart and health history. Your healthcare provider will do tests. This includes an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). During this test, you will lie down and the healthcare provider will monitor your heartbeat.

Your healthcare provider may do an exercise or stress test. This consists of monitoring your heart while you walk on a treadmill. You may be given medications to speed up your heartbeat. This can help detect underlying heart disease.

Another way to track your heart is to wear a machine called a Holter monitor. It records your heart’s rhythms for 24 hours. If your healthcare provider wants to monitor your heart for more than 24 hours, they may give you an event recorder. It records samples of your heart’s rhythms for a couple of days or more. Your healthcare provider may run other tests to provide information about your heart.

Can arrhythmia be prevented or avoided?

You can prevent some types of arrhythmias with lifestyle changes. Limit alcohol use and stop smoking. Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Work with your healthcare provider to manage heart disease or other health problems.

TREATMENT

Arrhythmia treatment

Treatment depends on the type of arrhythmia you have. Some mild arrhythmias may not require treatment. Other types can be treated with medicine. Severe cases require additional treatment, including:

• Artificial pacemaker. The electronic device is placed under the skin on your chest. It helps your heart maintain a regular beat.
• Cardiac defibrillation. A brief electric shock can stop an abnormal rhythm and restore a normal one.
• Procedures can correct certain types of arrhythmias. If the arrhythmia occurs in a certain area of your heart, that part may be removed. A procedure called cardiac ablation can destroy the tissue in your heart that causes the arrhythmia.

Arrhythmias caused by health problems should be properly treated and managed.

Living with arrhythmia

People who have mild cases may require monitoring, but no other forms of treatment. For severe cases, treatment can manage your symptoms and heart rate to reduce damage. If your condition is left untreated, it can cause a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. Follow your healthcare provider’s plan and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada Website:
http://www.heartandstroke.ca/
http://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart/conditions/arrhythmia