Last updated on January 5, 2022
Content By: Dr. Nikita Toshi BDS, Assistant Manager (Medical Review), Dr. Ritu Budania MBBS, MD (Pharmacology) Head, Medical Affairs
Last updated on January 5, 2022
Heart arrhythmia happens when the heart beats irregularly. Arrhythmia happens due to the changes in the heart activity and tissues controlling the heartbeat. This can occur because of the damage due to an injury, an underlying condition or genetics.
People with this heart problem experience their heart beating too slowly or too quickly. It happens when the electrical signals of the heart are not in proper sync. You might experience a fluttering or racing heart. Most Arrhythmias are harmless and can result from a damaged or weak heart.
Read on to find out more about the detailed meaning of arrhythmia, its causes, its signs and symptoms, risk factors, and treatments.
Heart arrhythmia happens when the heart beats irregularly. Arrhythmia happens due to the changes in the heart activity and tissues controlling the heartbeat. This can occur because of the damage due to an injury, an underlying condition or genetics.
People with this heart problem experience their heart beating too slowly or too quickly. It happens when the electrical signals of the heart are not in proper sync. You might experience a fluttering or racing heart. Most Arrhythmias are harmless and can result from a damaged or weak heart.
Read on to find out more about the detailed meaning of arrhythmia, its causes, its signs and symptoms, risk factors, and treatments.
Written by
BDS, Assistant Manager (Medical Review)
Reviewed by
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology) Head, Medical Affairs
Arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart that affects the rate at which it beats. It happens when the electrical impulses regulating and directing heartbeats don’t function as they need to. Arrhythmias can be classified depending on their characteristics. For instance:
Abnormal heart rates if happen for a short span of time are usually harmless. However, in some cases, it can be problematic especially when it interferes with the blood flow in the body. It can damage the lungs, brain and other important organs. That’s why it is essential to find the cause of arrythmia at the earliest stages and eliminate the chances of complications thereon.
As per a report by the International Journal of Advances in Medicine, arrhythmia is more common in elderly females. The maximum number of patients were found in the age group of 60 – 70 years.
There are several types of arrhythmia and they are categorized based on rhythm and speed abnormalities. They also vary depending on where arrhythmia happens, like between the heart’s upper or lower chambers. Some common types of arrhythmia include:
Ventricular Tachycardia – It is a fast and regular beating of ventricles that can last for a few seconds or a longer period. A few beats often might not cause any problem. But if it lasts for a long time, it can indicate a complication.
Bradycardia – Bradyarrhythmias is a slow heart rate and is 60 beats per minute or lesser in adults.
Supraventricular arrhythmias – This type of arrhythmia starts in the upper chambers of the heart, known as the atrium. They are also known as tachycardia or fast heart rates and go over 100 beats a single minute.
Different types of supraventricular arrhythmias include Atrial fibrillation, Atrial flutter and Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT).
Ventricular fibrillation – It occurs when disorganized electrical signals let the ventricular quiver despite pumping normally. Because of this condition, there can be sudden death or cardiac arrest.
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In some cases, arrhythmia can occur as a result of certain medications or substances. They include alcohol, caffeine, cocaine, nicotine, diet pills, inhaled aerosols, cold and cough remedies. Emotional states like stress, fright or even shock can also lead to arrhythmia.
Some other causes of arrhythmia include:
High Blood Pressure – High BP can lead to hardening of inner walls in the ventricles. Because of this reason, it can cause symptoms of arrhythmia and increase the risk of accumulation of plague leading to CAD. The most common causes of high blood pressure include smoking, stress, lack of physical activity and being obese.
Disorder in valves – Moderate to mild disorder in valves can cause various symptoms and lead to heart problems. In this situation, you might encounter chest pain with arrhytmia.
Heart injuries from attack – Arrhythmia can occur as a reduced blood flow to the heart, damage to the heart’s electrical system and stiffening of the heart tissues.
Coronary artery disease – Previous heart surgeries to eliminate narrowed walls or a heart attack can give rise to heart rhythm abnormalities.
Cardiomyopathy – It is a condition related to the heart muscle which can lead to arrhythmia. So, it would help if you always were under the doctor’s guidance to eliminate the root cause of the problem.
Medical conditions affecting the heart and giving rise to racing heart causes – Certain medical conditions (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, panic attacks other hormonal imbalances) and some medications can lead to palpitations. Some medicines are the ones used to treat high blood pressure, psychosis and depression. Individuals also have to be careful when consuming certain over-the-counter medicines and antibiotics, like for colds and allergies.
Stress and anxiety
Sleep apnea – This is a sleep disorder where your breathing erratically stops and starts while you sleep.
Too much smoking and alcohol consumption
Substance abuse
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Understanding the early signs and symptoms of arrhythmia can help you know whether you should visit a doctor or opt for preventive methods instead. Learning about these signs in detail will help to avoid any unforeseen emergencies. The signs of irregularly irregular rhythm are:
Running Palpitations – You will experience heart palpitations or flutters frequently compared to normal. It is described as a skipped beat, a faster beat, an extra beat and a flip-flop beat than normal.
Shortness in breath – Shortness in breath is another symptom of heart rhythm abnormalities. However, it can also happen due to non-heart-related conditions as well. But it is always better to rule out your diagnosis, especially if this symptom persists for longer than usual.
Dizziness and lightheadedness – Arrhythmia causes the heart to beat fast or too slow, making you feel lightheaded and dizzy. It happens because your heart cannot pump blood properly when the heart rate is excessively slow or fast. This symptom can also occur when your blood sugar or blood pressure suddenly drops.
Tiredness and Fatigue – Certain types of arrhythmia, like Atrial fibrillation, Afib or AF, can cause fatigue and tiredness. It happens when the outer chamber of the heart does not beat regularly.
Uneasy pain in the chest – There is an uncomfortable pain that you might encounter in the chest. Whenever it happens, you will start sweating or might not be able to concentrate on your work. You will experience this symptom because of irregular rhythm.
Anxiety – Irregular heart rhythms can also be linked to feelings of anxiety, stress and restlessness.
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To diagnose irregularly irregular rhythm, your heart specialist may recommend a few tests. The results would help your doctor evaluate the present status of your heart and help determine the right treatment option for you. Some of these tests include:
Electrogram, EKG or ECG, is a way to diagnose arrhythmia and heart palpitations causes. The doctor will attach electrodes to your arms, chest or legs that will measure the electrical activity of the heart. Based on that, the device will provide a graph that indicates if your heartbeat is slow, fast or irregular. It shows if you have poor or enlarged blood flow. Doctors prefer to take an ECG while patients are exercising on a stationary bicycle or resting. A portable monitor can also record irregularities of heartbeats over a span.
A stress test is another way to diagnose the underlying cause of arrhythmia. In this test, patients have to either walk or jog on a treadmill where their breathing and blood pressure will be monitored.
It is a non-invasive way where sound waves measure the structure, size and motion of the heart. An echocardiogram is a hand-held portable device generally placed on the chest using sound waves to determine the heart’s functioning. An echocardiogram can detect an arrhythmia and based on that, the cardiologist will prescribe the treatment to follow.
Ambulatory monitor is also known as a Holter monitor and this test is to detect atrial flutter symptoms. It’s because sometimes the signs of arrhythmia can come and disappear or it can be premature heartbeats which is not a cause of concern. It helps the specialist to find out if you have a major heart problem. In this test, you need to wear a monitor around the neck for a few days while conducting your daily activities. It connects to EKG electrodes attached to the chest and the device will record the heart rate continuously for 24 to 72 hours.
It is to find out the heart’s electrical activity and this study uses a wire to stimulate the heart electrically, triggering an arrhythmia. By chance, if the specialist has detected any other condition it will help them in assessing the possibility behind this heart issue. The outcome of EPS will help in finding if the specialist can treat your condition through medications.
It is a tilt table test to find the causes of the fainting spells. While conducting the procedure, you have to lie on the table and move from lying down to an upright position. While changing the position might cause you to faint, the doctors will keep a note of your symptoms, EKG reading, heart rate and blood pressure throughout the entire test. With that, it would be easier to find out the reason behind arrhythmia.
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The right treatment for irregular heartbeat can help you maintain a healthy heart in the long run. The treatment options may also vary on the type of arrhythmia and the intensity of the symptoms. Some of the treatment options that your doctor might recommend and underlying causes are:
Your cardiologist may prescribe certain medications to help control your heart rhythm and prevent erratic heartbeats. It is always advised to consult your cardiologist for the right medications suited to your symptoms and never self-medicate.
Specialists might tell you to implant a pacemaker while undergoing minor surgery. They will make a small cut near the shoulder, guiding small wires through the veins. The pacemaker is placed in the heart, connecting the wires to a battery-powered generator. It is implanted near the collarbone and the generator will detect the heart rhythm. It sends an electrical pulse via the wire to regulate the process.
Like a pacemaker, the implantation of ICD happens near the breastbone, collarbone or ribs. It is a suitable condition for patients whose arrhythmias are life-threatening or can lead to a heart attack. Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator sends electric shocks correcting the rate when the heart stops beating. Different types of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators are:
The maze procedure is a type of surgery that can be used for atrial fibrillation treatment. The specialist will make a maze or series of cuts in the upper chamber of the heart with the objective to normalize the heart’s electrical impulses. Depending on the condition of your heart, your doctor might also recommend other solutions like a coronary bypass.
It is another way to treat arrhythmia by giving shocks to the heart. In this technique, the experts use paddles or patches attached to the chest known as electrodes. Firstly, medicines are given to make you fall asleep, and then specialists put paddles on the chest. At times, a mild electrical shock is also given on the back. Patients have permission to go home that day itself after getting this treatment. In most cases, only one session may be required.
In catheter ablation, a cardiologist threads flexible tubes known as catheters via the blood vessels to the heart. In the end, one catheter will release radiofrequency waves through an electrode creating a small scar. The scar tissue will block the electrical waves causing arrhythmias.
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While the reasons for heart palpitations and arrhythmia are many, there are also several initiatives one can employ to help keep it in check. They include:
Regular heart monitoring – Regularly visiting the doctor to get your heart checked is one of the most important things to help maintain a healthy heart in the long run. Your doctor may evaluate the effects of your medication on your heartbeat rhythms, the proper functioning of implanted devices and ensure you’re not at risk of developing any other medical issues during your treatment plan.
Sticking to medications prescribed – Antiarrhythmic drugs are for patients suffering from heart rhythm abnormalities. It helps the arrhythmias to a normal rate and eliminates the issue. The other drugs are antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs like warfarin or aspirin. It reduces the risk of developing blood clots and risk of stroke. Make sure that you follow what the specialist has prescribed to recover soon.
Eating right and healthy – Eating right and healthy is important to avoid irregular heartbeats, and they are:
Staying hydrated – You must drink at least two to three litres of water daily to maintain a healthy heart. It will also help in eliminating the risk of developing other health issues.
Keep your lipid profile, blood sugar and blood pressure in check – Care should be taken to ensure your blood sugar, fats and blood pressure are in the normal range at all times. Eating the right foods, in the right quantities and exercising regularly can help keep these parameters in check.
Get good quality sleep – Getting 6 – 7 hours of undisturbed, quality sleep every night is essential for good heart health and general overall health. Sleep is shown to additionally help improve cognitive function and mental health.
Practice yoga, meditation and stress management – Yoga and meditation has shown to have many benefits for heart patients. Yoga and meditation involve flexibility and deep breathing and hence can not only lower stress levels and ease tension in the muscles but also improve blood circulation and blood-oxygen levels in those with heart conditions.
Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake – If you want to maintain a healthy heart, find proactive ways to quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake. If you feel like you need to smoke and drink, speak to your doctor about some initiatives you can take to help you quit.
Exercise regularly (as advised by your doctor) – 30 minutes of physical activity every day has shown to do wonders for your body. Exercise can aid weight loss, improve metabolism, improve blood circulation and blood-oxygen levels, control blood pressure and overall strengthen the heart and lungs to function at their best.
A few exercises may not be advisable for people with irregular heartbeats. Therefore, it is advised to consult with your doctor on what exercises are suitable for you to perform depending on your condition.
Exercise is one thing that you can enjoy even if you have an irregular heartbeat. A study conducted in 2016 revealed that exercising regularly can lower the burden of Arrhythmia. Performing exercise for a small number of low-impact exercises can help reduce the signs of Arrhythmia. Few exercises for heart patients include light jogging, walking and swimming. You can start slowly and proceed gradually, doing it several times a week. Some people might even have a pacemaker but they should avoid doing strenuous exercise for four to six weeks at a stretch.
It’s hard to see a loved one deal with the effects of arrhythmia. You can offer help and support by encouraging them to:
Quit smoking and limit their alcohol intake.
Limit the usage of caffeine and for that, avoid beverages like colas, tea, coffee, etc.
Eliminate using stimulants in cold and cough medications.
Follow their medication routine prescribed by the doctor for an irregular heartbeat.
Some ways that you can help them along their recovery journey is by exercising with them, lending a year whenever required and motivating them along the way, offering to join a support group with them, tagging along to doctor’s appointments and also keeping a track of their health and progress. Help and support in this way can go a long way in showing that you care and that you desire to see them get better in every way.
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The main reason for heart palpitations is due to some defect in the generation or conduction of the electrical signals of the heart. It can happen because of high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, heart injuries, hormonal imbalances, from the attack, disorders in valves, coronary artery disease and medical conditions affecting the heart.
Treatment and success of treatment of an arrhythmia depend upon the cause of the problem, underlying medical conditions of the patient and age of the patient. With proper medication and treatment from the heart specialists irregularly irregular rhythms can be managed well. Many patients suffering from this issue have returned to their normal conditions within a short time.
While most of the situations can be harmless, some can be serious or life-threatening. Depending on heart rhythm abnormalities, too fast or too slow, the heart might not pump blood. Due to this situation, there can be serious symptoms affecting the ability to function. Therefore, these symptoms should never be ignored.
The secret to a healthy heart is to have a proper diet that contains heart-healthy foods. Several types of foods are available that you must avoid consuming to eliminate signs of Arrhythmia. They are herbal supplements, too much caffeine, tyramine, sodium, alcohol, deep-fried and processed food, sweets and many more.
Even though some arrhythmia causes might not be so serious, it is important to consult a doctor. If there is any problem, you can get it resolved in the initial stages.
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