Patient education: Overview of heart arrhythmias (The Basics)

What are heart arrhythmias? — "Arrhythmia" means an abnormal heart rhythm.

Everyone has a built-in electrical system in their heart that makes it beat (figure 1). With each normal heartbeat:

●An electrical signal starts in 1 spot near the top of the heart.

●This signal follows a path to spread across the heart.

●As it spreads, the signal makes the heart muscle squeeze. This pumps blood to the rest of the body.

Sometimes, the electrical signals that control the heartbeat can become abnormal. When this happens, the heartbeat can be:

●Too fast

●Too slow

●Irregular

This can make it harder for the heart to pump blood properly. In some cases, it can lead to serious problems like heart attack, stroke, or even death.

What causes arrhythmias? — Different things can cause a problem with the electrical signals in the heart. They include:

●Heart disease, such as coronary artery disease and diseases of the heart muscle

●High blood pressure

●Lung disease

●Heart surgery

●Certain medicines, alcohol, or drugs

People are more likely to have arrhythmias as they get older.

What are the symptoms of an arrhythmia? — This depends on the type of arrhythmia. Sometimes, a person can have an arrhythmia without noticing any symptoms.

When symptoms do happen, they might include:

●Feeling like the heart is racing, skipping beats, or beating out of sync

●Dizziness or fainting

●Chest pain or discomfort

●Trouble breathing, especially with exercise

●Weakness

Are there different types of arrhythmias? — Yes. There are many different types.

Doctors use different terms to describe the type of abnormal heartbeat:

●"Bradycardia" – This means a heartbeat that is slower than normal.

●"Tachycardia" – This means a heartbeat that is faster than normal.

●"Premature beats" – This means that the electrical signal starts too soon. This causes an extra heartbeat that happens before the heart beats normally.

Other terms describe where the electrical signal problem is:

●"Atrial" – The atria are the upper chambers of the heart, where the signal normally starts.

●"Ventricular" – The ventricles are the lower chambers.

A common arrhythmia is a condition called "atrial fibrillation" ("A-fib"). In A-fib, the upper heart chambers stop pumping blood as strongly as normal.

With some arrhythmias, the heart beats abnormally all the time. With others, it might beat abnormally only some of the time. In some people, there are "triggers" such as exercise or an illness.

Is there a test for arrhythmia? — Yes. A test called an "electrocardiogram" ("ECG") can show if you have an abnormal heartbeat (figure 2). This test records the electrical activity in your heart. Sometimes, a person learns that they have an arrhythmia when they get an ECG for another reason.

Your doctor or nurse will also do an exam and ask about your symptoms. They might do other tests, too. For example, they might have you wear a special heart monitor. This measures the electrical activity in your heart while you do your normal activities.

How are arrhythmias treated? — It depends on the type of the arrhythmia and what caused it. Possible treatments include:

●Medicines – There are medicines that can control the speed and rhythm of the heartbeat. Sometimes, other medicines are needed, too.

●Procedures – Some procedures can block the abnormal electrical signals in the heart.

●A pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ("ICD") – These are devices that are implanted in the body. They can sense and correct abnormal heartbeats.

Is there anything I can do on my own? — Yes. If you have an arrhythmia, you should:

●See your doctor regularly, and tell them if you have any new symptoms.

●Follow all of your doctor's instructions about taking your medicines.

●Make healthy lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet and not smoking.

●Avoid or limit alcohol and caffeine.

●Make sure that you know when to get medical help.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if you have:

●Dizziness

●Chest pain or discomfort

●Shortness of breath

●Fast or irregular heartbeat

More on this topic

Patient education: Bradycardia (The Basics)
Patient education: Tachycardia (The Basics)
Patient education: Ventricular tachycardia (The Basics)
Patient education: Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (The Basics)
Patient education: Atrial fibrillation (The Basics)
Patient education: Atrial flutter (The Basics)
Patient education: Ventricular premature beats (The Basics)
Patient education: Ventricular fibrillation (The Basics)
Patient education: Sinus node dysfunction (The Basics)
Patient education: Heart block in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Heart block in children (The Basics)
Patient education: ECG and stress test (The Basics)
Patient education: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (The Basics)

Patient education: Atrial fibrillation (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (Beyond the Basics)