Arrhythmia

An arrhythmia is when your heart beats in a weird way because its electrical system is messed up. Your heart has a built-in timer (sort of like a clock) called the sinoatrial (SA) node. It sends out electrical signals to make sure your heart beats in a steady rhythm. But sometimes, these signals get mixed up, causing your heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.

Yes, there are different types of arrhythmias, including:

Atrial fibrillation: This is when the top chambers of your heart beat fast and irregularly.

Bradycardia: This is when your heart beats too slowly.

Premature contractions: This is when an extra beat messes up your heart’s regular rhythm.

Tachycardia: This is when your heart beats too fast.

Ventricular fibrillation: This is when the lower chambers of your heart beat fast and irregularly.

Between 1.5% to 5% of people have arrhythmias, but some folks might not even notice they have it. In the United States, atrial fibrillation is the most common type.

Certain things can make you more likely to have an arrhythmia, like:

• Being stressed all the time
• Being overweight
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Getting older
• Having diabetes
• Having family members with heart rhythm problems
• Having heart issues already
• Having sleep problems like sleep apnea
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Taking certain medications, like stimulants or antidepressants

Thyroid problems

• Some people might not feel anything, but others might have:
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Fainting or feeling like you’re going to faint
• Feeling anxious or having panic attacks
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Feeling like your heart is fluttering or beating too hard
• Feeling nauseous
• Feeling tired or weak
• Having a fast or slow heartbeat
• Having trouble breathing

If not treated, arrhythmias can lead to serious problems like:

• Having a stroke
• Sudden death
• Your heart suddenly stopping (cardiac arrest)
• Your heart muscles getting weaker (cardiomyopathy)

Your doctor can check if your heart beats irregularly by feeling your pulse and listening to your heart with a stethoscope. If they find anything unusual or if you’ve been feeling dizzy or having heart palpitations, they might want to do more tests to be sure. They might also send you to a specialist, like an electrophysiologist, who can suggest other tests.

Here are some tests that can check for an irregular heartbeat and related health issues:

• Ambulatory monitors: These are devices that keep track of your heart’s electrical activity for longer periods, even when you’re not in the hospital. You can wear them at home for days, weeks, or even years. They’re really useful for catching any heart problems that happen unexpectedly.
• Blood tests: These are done to check your electrolyte levels or to see if you have any genetic issues that could affect your heart.
• Cardiac catheterization: This is a safe procedure where a thin tube is put into a blood vessel in your arm or leg and up to your heart. It helps your doctor see how well your heart is working and what kind of treatment you might need.
• Computed tomography (CT): This is a type of scan that takes detailed pictures of your bones and soft tissues using X-rays and a computer. It doesn’t hurt at all.
• Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to take pictures of your heart beating. It can show the structure of your heart and how well it’s pumping blood.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This is a quick test that checks the electrical activity of your heart. Sticky patches with sensors are placed on your chest or sometimes your arms and legs. These patches are connected to a computer that shows the results.
• Electrophysiology study (EPS): This test looks closely at your heart’s electrical activity. It’s a bit invasive because it involves putting small tubes into your heart. Sometimes, doctors can even fix problems they find during this test.
• Heart MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): This is a painless and safe way for your doctor to see detailed pictures of your heart. It shows how well your heart is working and if there’s any damage.
• Stress test: This test checks how well your heart handles exercise. You might walk on a treadmill or pedal on a bike while connected to a machine that monitors your heart.
• Tilt table test: This test helps doctors figure out why you might faint. You lie on a table that tilts upward while being safely strapped in. It helps them see how your body responds to changes in position and blood pressure.

The treatment depends on the type and seriousness of the arrhythmia. Some common treatments include:

• Ablation: Using heat or cold to destroy tiny bits of heart tissue causing the problem
• Cardioversion: Using electric shocks to get your heart back into a normal rhythm
• Implanting devices like pacemakers or cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to help control your heart’s rhythm
• Making lifestyle changes like avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco, eating healthy, and keeping a healthy weight
• Surgery to fix any structural problems in your heart causing the arrhythmia.
• Taking medications like beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or anti-arrhythmic drugs to help control your heart’s rhythm

A heart specialist called an electrophysiologist is the one who diagnoses and treats arrhythmias. They work closely with other heart doctors to make sure you get the right care, either in the hospital or as an outpatient.