Arrhythmias or abnormal and irregular heartbeats are the results of the electrical pulses in your heart incorrectly coordinate the natural rhythm. Arrhythmias are not uncommon and can often be harmless. There are times that they can be alarming and become an emergency situation. This guide will help you distinguish these two types and what you should do in the event of them.
What Causes Arrhythmia?
There are 14 different types of arrhythmia, depending on where it originates. Atrial arrhythmia originates in the atrium and are typically the mild types. Ventricular arrhythmias start in the electrical pathways of the ventricles and are much more serious because they typically require medical attention.
Even if your heart is healthy, you could experience an arrhythmia. Sometimes it can be caused by average, everyday routines. If you regularly drink coffee or alcohol, it could be caused by too much caffeine or alcohol. Not drinking enough water and poor eating and exercise habits can also create arrhythmia. Health matters such as sleep apnea to pregnancy to anemia to a fever are also causes of arrhythmia that could be harmless.
Causes for concern that could result in an irregular heart rate are heart disease, an imbalance of electrolytes (such as sodium or potassium) in your blood, injury from a heart attack, and after heart surgery.
What are the Symptoms of Arrhythmia
You may not feel every time your heartbeat is irregular. It’s not always a sudden jump or shock. The most common irregularities are the heart skipping a beat, much faster than normal (tachycardia), slower than normal (bradycardia), irregular/inconsistent beating, and pauses in between heartbeats. These symptoms are typically nothing to worry about if they occur once to a few times. If you notice it is a regular occurrence, you should set up an appointment to speak to your primary care physician.
When to See Your Doctor
The symptoms of arrhythmias are often ignored or unrecognized. You should see a doctor as soon as possible if you start to experience more serious symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, vertigo (dizziness or lightheadedness), fainting or near-fainting, severe heart palpitations, anxiety, or excessive sweating. If your symptoms seem to be of concern, your doctor will perform a number of tests. The first may be an echocardiogram, this test examines the structure and function of your heart. Your doctor may also perform an exercise stress test on a treadmill or stationary bike to measure your heart’s response to exertion. Your doctor may also ask you to wear a portable monitoring device for the next 1-2 days. The Holter monitor records every heartbeat and monitors for irregular heart rhythm.
The medical team at SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation diagnose and treat a variety of conditions in adults, including heart issues through superior service and state-of-the-art treatment methods. If you have been diagnosed with any of these health conditions, SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation can help you. Call us at (803) 749-1111 to schedule an appointment or fill out our simple online appointment request form today. We look forward to serving you.
