Heart arrhythmia is the medical for an improper heartbeat. The electrical activity that coordinates your heartbeat can be disrupted by medical conditions, leading to a heartbeat that is either too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregular. Arrhythmias can occur without causing any symptoms or indications. During a normal examination, your doctor may discover that you have arrhythmia before you do. However, having noticeable signs and symptoms does not always imply that you have heart disease.
Symptoms of an arrhythmia may include:
You feel a flutter in your chest.
A pounding heart (tachycardia, or a heartbeat over 100 BPM)
A sluggish heartbeat (bradycardia or a heartbeat under 60 BPM)
Pain in the chest
Breathing problems
Other signs and symptoms could include:
Anxiety
Fatigue
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Sweating
Syncope (fainting) or near-fainting
Arrhythmia may be caused by several conditions and factors, not all of which are dangerous. For instance, your heartbeat may slow to under 60 BPM while you sleep. In some cases, however, arrhythmia can be a sign of a serious medical condition. Some common causes of arrhythmia include:
Heart attack
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Scarring of heart tissue
Electrolyte imbalances
Thyroid conditions (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism)
Coronary artery disease (blocked arteries)
Changes to the heart muscle
Sleep apnea
Diabetes
Talk to a health care provider if you are experiencing, or frequently experience, an irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmia can lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated, so seek medical attention for appropriate testing.
Treatment Options
Depending on the cause of your arrhythmia, medical treatment may or may not be needed. During your appointment, talk to your health care provider about treatment options and what plan may be right for you.
To help control heart rate and maintain a normal heartbeat, your provider may prescribe an antiarrhythmic drug. These are usually administered as tablets meant to be taken several times a day. Common antiarrhythmic medications include:
Amiodarone
Sotalol
Flecainide
Propafenone
Dofetilide
Diltiazem
Metoprolol
Propranolol
In addition, your provider may prescribe a blood thinner, such as warfarin, to prevent blood clots. Take antiarrhythmic medication exactly as ordered by your provider to reduce the risk of adverse effects.
Treatment for arrhythmias may also include the use of an implantable device to control abnormal heart rhythms. These include:
- Pacemaker. A pacemaker is a medical device that is implanted in the heart to assist control irregular cardiac rhythms. In a simple surgical operation, a tiny device is implanted beneath the skin around the collarbone. The device is connected to the heart by an insulated wire that is securely attached. When a pacemaker detects an aberrant heart rate, it sends electrical impulses to your heart, causing it to beat at a normal rate.
- Cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantable (ICD). If you have a high chance of having a dangerously fast or irregular heartbeat in the lower half of your heart, your doctor may recommend this device (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation). Your doctor may also recommend an ICD if you have had a sudden cardiac arrest or if you have certain heart diseases that enhance your risk of sudden cardiac arrest. An ICD, like a pacemaker, is a battery-powered device inserted under the skin around the collarbone. The ICD sends one or more electrode-tipped wires through veins to the heart. Your cardiac rhythm is constantly monitored by the ICD. It gives either low- or high-energy shocks to reset the heart to a regular beat if it identifies an aberrant cardiac rhythm. An ICD does not prevent aberrant cardiac rhythms from happening, but it does treat them when they do.
In addition to medical treatments, some lifestyle changes and self-care methods can reduce the occurrence of arrhythmia and symptoms of other heart problems. These remedies include:
- Eat a healthy diet. Maintain a diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting your intake of foods rich in salt and fat. A clean, whole foods diet can help encourage heart health.
- Exercise. Regular physical activity (even just walking 30 minutes a day) can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of arrhythmia.
- Quit smoking. Smoking damages the health of your internal organs, including your heart. Quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of arrhythmia.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol intake. Both of these substances can cause arrhythmia. Drink alcohol in moderation and limit your use of caffeine throughout the day.
- Use relaxation techniques. Yoga, meditation, and tai-chi can all reduce stress and encourage a relaxed heartbeat.