Arrythmia
An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat, meaning your heart beats too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or with an irregular rhythm. Your heart’s electrical system controls its rhythm, and any disruption to these electrical signals can cause an arrhythmia. While some arrhythmias are harmless, others can be serious, leading to symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, fainting, or increasing your risk of stroke or heart failure.
Treatment Options
Lifestyle changes
Avoiding triggers like excessive caffeine or alcohol, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Medication
Antiarrhythmic drugs to control heart rate or rhythm, and anticoagulants (blood thinners) to reduce the risk of stroke in conditions like atrial fibrillation.
Implantable devices
Such as pacemakers for slow heart rates, or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for life-threatening fast rhythms.
Cardioversion
A procedure that delivers a controlled electrical shock to reset the heart's rhythm.
Catheter ablation
A procedure to destroy small areas of heart tissue that are causing the irregular electrical signals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes arrhythmias?
Causes can include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, stress, certain medications, excessive alcohol or caffeine, and genetics.
Are all arrhythmias dangerous?
No, many people have harmless arrhythmias, but some can be life-threatening or significantly increase the risk of stroke. It’s important to have them evaluated.
What are palpitations?
Palpitations are a feeling that your heart is racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipping beats. They can be a symptom of an arrhythmia.
Can I exercise with an arrhythmia?
Your cardiologist will provide specific guidance. For some, exercise can be beneficial, while for others, certain types of exercise may need to be avoided or modified.