Symptoms and Causes of Cardiac Arrhythmia: How Can It Affect Your Body?

Cardiac arrhythmia is a medical term used to denote an irregular heartbeat or heart rhythm. Electrical signals in the body help ensure a normal, steady heartbeat. Heart arrhythmia occurs when those electrical signals are not working properly. Sometimes, heart arrhythmias can be harmless, but they may indicate serious and potentially life-threatening issues.

Types of Heart Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia or irregular heart rhythm can cause one of three issues. The heart might beat irregularly. It may also beat too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia). Any of these issues could affect your body.

Keep in mind that it’s normal for a person’s heart rate to change during various activities. The heart rate slows while sleeping and speeds up during exercise, for example. The problems come when the resting heartbeat is too fast, slow, or erratic.

Arrhythmia Type 1: Tachycardia

Tachycardia refers to a resting heart rate that is higher than 100 beats per minute. Several types of tachycardia exist, as noted below.

Atrial fibrillation causes a chaotic, rapid, and uncoordinated heart rate, which is associated with stroke. Atrial flutter is another type of tachycardia. The beats are more organized than atrial fibrillation or afib, but this is also linked to stroke.

Supraventricular tachycardia refers to heart arrhythmia that begins above the ventricles and causes palpitations that start and end abruptly.

Ventricular fibrillation causes the ventricles to quiver rather than contract and pump the blood to the rest of the body. This is potentially a deadly condition if the normal heart rhythm is not restored in minutes. Those who have ventricular fibrillation generally have heart disease or have suffered serious trauma to the heart.

Ventricular tachycardia is a regular but rapid heartbeat that doesn’t allow the ventricles to fill with blood. The heart can’t pump blood to the rest of the body. If someone has an otherwise healthy heart, this may not cause serious problems. However, this is a medical emergency for those who have heart issues.

Arrhythmia Type 2: Bradycardia

Those who have a heart rate that is below 60 beats per minute could have bradycardia. However, a low resting heart rate isn’t always a sign of an issue. People in top physical condition may have a slow heart rate simply because their body doesn’t need to work as hard to pump blood.

However, those who have a slow heartbeat and the heart isn’t pumping enough blood could have one of two types of bradycardia—sick sinus syndrome or conduction block.

The sinus node sets the pace for the heart. If it is not working properly, the heart may beat too slowly for a time and then alternate to beating too fast. This tends to be a more common problem with older adults. Conduction block occurs when the electrical pathways in the heart are blocked. It can cause the heart beats to slow or stop.

Arrhythmia Type 3: Premature Heartbeats

These are essentially extra beats of your heart. They may follow a pattern and alternate with the normal heartbeat, or they could be erratic. When this occurs, it may feel as though your heart literally “skipped a beat”.

Most of the time, premature heartbeats will not be a concern unless you have a more serious health condition. 

Those who have heart disease, for example, may find that a premature heartbeat creates a longer-lasting arrhythmia. People who have frequent premature beats that last for several years may find that it leads to a weakened heart.

Common Symptoms of Heart Arrhythmia

In some cases, you may not notice any signs or symptoms of heart arrhythmia. It might only be detected when a doctor examines you for a different medical health issue. Others, however, will notice some of the more common arrhythmia symptoms noted below.

These include a fluttering feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, or chest pain. You might also notice an irregular heartbeat – a racing heartbeat or a slow heartbeat. Some of the other arrhythmia symptoms that might be present include fatigue, anxiety, dizziness, sweating, fainting, or near fainting.

What Causes Heart Arrhythmia?

Heart arrhythmia could be caused by any number of health issues including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, or valve disorders. Some may have irritable tissue in the heart, which could come from genetic issues or acquired causes.

Those who have had a heart attack before and who have a damaged heart may develop heart arrhythmia. During the healing process after undergoing heart surgery, the heart may be arrhythmic. Even electrolyte imbalances in the blood could create arrhythmia for a time.

Premature heartbeats can be caused by stimulants like caffeine and nicotine, strenuous exercise, and stress.

Consult with a Doctor About Your Heart Health

When you feel as though your heart is beating too fast or too slow or if you experience any heart arrhythmia symptoms, contact a doctor and make an appointment for medical health treatment. Immediate medical attention should be sought if the change in your heartbeat is accompanied by lightheadedness, weakness, shortness of breath, or chest pain/discomfort.

Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute

Researchers at the Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI) are studying what can impact the heart’s electrical patterns and how to best diagnose, maintain, and treat cardiac arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. The CVRTI is committed to better understanding how to maintain a healthy heart and improve heart health outcomes. CVRTI is famous because, thirty years ago, its Investigators discovered the molecular basis of the most prominent genetically acquired arrhythmia syndrome (“Long QT Syndrome”) and identified how common medicines can result in these highly dangerous arrhythmias. Now, Investigators are studying the mechanisms underlying afib or atrial fibrillation and ablation techniques with the goal of improving ablation outcomes (Ranjan). They are also studying techniques to prevent and terminate life threatening arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats without the need for shocking the heart (Dosdall, Shaw).  The genetic and metabolic basis for some of these arrhythmias is also being investigated (Aromolaran, Palatinus, Tristani). Research at CVRTI is changing irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrhythmia patients. Contact CVRTI to learn more about ongoing medical health research and treatment for cardiac arrhythmia.

Warning Signs of Heart Arrhythmia to Look For 

Warning Signs of Arrhythmia

When a person’s heart beats irregularly it is called cardiac arrhythmia. In some cases, the issue may be mild and only require monitoring. However, when left unchecked and untreated, there is the potential for serious health issues, including death. Therefore, you should have a good understanding of the Warning Signs of Heart Arrhythmia.

The Common Signs and Symptoms

In some cases, a person might have a cardiac arrhythmia and not realize it because they don’t have any symptoms. However, others may have some symptoms and signs that could indicate an irregular heartbeat.

For example, someone may have a fluttering or quivering feeling in their chest. They might have an abnormally slow or fast heartbeat. They could also have signs and symptoms that are a bit more pronounced including chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fainting or nearly fainting, sweating, fatigue, or anxiety.

When you feel any issues with your heart, even if you might feel they “aren’t a big deal”, you don’t want to take any chances. It is always better to err on the side of caution and get in touch with a medical professional. They can check you out and determine the problem, as well as potential treatments.

What Causes Arrhythmia?

There aren’t just one or two things that could cause cardiac arrhythmia. There could be any number of issues or conditions that could cause the problem. 

Common Causes of Heart Arrhythmia

• Scarring from a previous heart attack
• Blocked arteries
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Sleep apnea
• Genetics
• Smoking
• Drug abuse
• Too much alcohol
• Too much caffeine
• Anxiety
• Stress

These are just some of the major causes of cardiac arrhythmia.

You will want to take steps to deal with the problem if you have an irregular heartbeat or to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, reducing stress, and avoiding bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking will help.

You will also want to make sure you are listening to your doctor and following their orders. This may include taking medication like blood thinners, as cardiac arrhythmias often cause an increased risk of blood clots. The blood-thinning meds could help to reduce the risk of stroke.

Types of Arrhythmia

There are multiple types of arrhythmia, each of which affects the heart differently. It’s important to understand at least the basics of each of these different arrhythmias.

• Tachycardia – This type of arrhythmia indicates that you have an excessively fast heartbeat.
• Bradycardia – This type of arrhythmia indicates that you have an excessively slow heartbeat.
• Atrial Fibrillation (AF) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) names this as the most common type of arrhythmia. Another term for this is a chaotic heartbeat, and it can cause a pulsing or quivering feeling in the chest.

AF happens when the two upper chambers of the heart are not working in sync. It can increase the risk of a stroke. It also causes the heart to beat up to 170 beats per minute and can cause some of the symptoms discussed earlier including shortness of breath, sweating, chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, and sweating. However, not everyone will have symptoms. Atrial fibrillation is very dangerous, and you will need to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Something to keep in mind when it comes to your heartbeat speed is that different activities will change how quickly your heart beats. For example, exercising, smoking, drinking caffeine, taking drugs, etc. will do this.

Heart Arrhythmia Treatment Options

Typically, treatment for cardiac arrhythmia will only be needed in certain cases. If the issue is not causing serious health problems, the doctors may only want to monitor it. The treatment offered for those who need it will vary based on the type of arrhythmia they have. It can include everything from medication to vagal maneuvers, catheter procedures, cardioversion, and heart surgery.

Consult a Medical Professional

There are serious complications that can arise from arrhythmia. Your organs and brain may not be getting enough blood, which could lead to dementia and other issues. You could have a stroke due to clots, suffer heart failure, or death if treatment isn’t sought out.

If you or a loved one has cardiac arrhythmia, you should make sure to get in touch with a doctor to be checked out as soon as possible and to determine what type of treatment could work for you.

Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute

Researchers at the Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI) are studying what can impact the heart’s electrical patterns and how to best diagnose, maintain, and treat cardiac arrhythmias. The CVRTI is committed to better understanding how to maintain a healthy heart and improve heart health outcomes. CVRTI is famous because, thirty years ago, its Investigators discovered the molecular basis of the most prominent genetically acquired arrhythmia syndrome (“Long QT Syndrome”) and identified how common medicines can result in these highly dangerous arrhythmias. Now, Investigators are studying the mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation and ablation techniques with the goal of improving ablation outcomes (Ranjan ). They are also studying techniques to prevent and terminate life threatening arrhythmias without the need for shocking the heart (Dosdall, Shaw). The genetic and metabolic basis for some of these arrhythmias is also being investigated (Aromolaran, Palatinus, Tristani). Research at CVRTI is changing cardiac arrhythmia patients. Contact CVRTI to learn more about ongoing research for cardiac arrhythmia.

Is Arrhythmia Dangerous for Your Health? How Serious is Cardiac Arrhythmia?

Cardiac arrhythmia is a term used to describe an irregular heartbeat, and it affects between 1.5% and 5% of people in the United States. It has the potential to be a serious and even deadly problem. Let’s take a closer look at this medical condition.

Cardiac Arrhythmia Symptoms

In some cases, a person might not notice any signs or symptoms of heart arrhythmia, and it might only be noticed by a doctor. However, many people do feel certain symptoms, such as a fluttering feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Those who have a racing heartbeat could have tachycardia, which is a type of cardiac arrhythmia which makes the heart beat quickly. Someone who has a unusually slow heartbeat could have bradycardia, which is another type of heart arrhythmia.

Some of the other potential symptoms could include sweating, fainting, lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue, and anxiety.

When Should You Talk to Your Doctor to Seek Medical Treatment?

Those who feel that their heart is beating too fast or too slow, or that their heart is skipping a beat, will want to get in touch with their doctor as soon as they can make an appointment.

If you feel weak or dizzy, or if you have shortness of breath, chest discomfort/pain, or lightheadedness, you will want to get medical attention right away. These could be signs of a serious problem.

There is another type of arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation, which doesn’t always have noticeable symptoms before it takes effect. This causes a drastic drop in blood pressure, and it can occur in a matter of seconds. The person will soon stop breathing and their pulse will stop. Someone in this condition needs immediate medical help and will need to call 911 ASAP.

Risk Factors

Several different elements of a person’s life could cause them to develop an irregular heartbeat. They could have had complications from previous heart surgery, coronary artery disease, or high blood pressure that contribute to the problem. Some could be born with a heart condition. Having an electrolyte imbalance and suffering from obstructive sleep apnea could increase your risk factor, too.

Additionally, some lifestyle issues could be causing problems with your heartbeat. Drinking too much alcohol, for example, could affect the electrical impulses in the heart, which could increase your risk. Caffeine, nicotine, and other types of stimulants can cause the heart to beat faster and cause you to develop an arrhythmia as well.

What Is the Best Medical Treatment for Irregular Heartbeat?

There is no “best” treatment for irregular heartbeat simply because all patients are different and arrhythmia can differ. In some cases, it may be less severe and require monitoring rather than an active treatment. Other times, treatments will be necessary, and the scope and type will vary.

Using medication to help treat cardiac arrhythmia is known as chemical cardioversion. The medication could be provided intravenously or orally. Another type of treatment is called electrical cardioversion, which is an electric shock treatment. It provides a shock that is meant to reset a normal heartbeat.

There is also atrial fibrillation ablation, which requires a doctor to create small scars on the heart to cause a break in the electrical signals that cause irregular heartbeats. Catheter ablation is a treatment that destroys small parts of tissue that are causing the arrhythmia. Additionally, there are implantable devices that can monitor, synchronize, and reset the heart rhythm.

The one that will be deemed the “best” is going to differ from one patient to the next. You will want to speak with your doctor about the options you have available to find the one that is right for you.

Prevention for Heart Arrhythmia is a Good Treatment

Prevention can the best medicine. Making some lifestyle changes could help to reduce a person’s risk of developing an irregular heartbeat. While these tips won’t change congenital heart issues, they can help to get your heart healthier and could prevent cardiac arrhythmia in some people.

Things To Do To Prevent Heart Arrhythmias

You should start eating a heart-healthy diet and work to stay physically active, so you can maintain a healthy weight. Limit alcohol and caffeine and stop smoking if you are a current smoker. Find ways to reduce your stress levels, and always follow your doctor’s orders for heart health and to avoid the risk of cardiac arrythmias.

Always Consult with a Doctor for Any Heart Treatment Advice

Problems with your heart are never anything to ignore, even if you feel they are minor issues. When it comes to your cardiac health, there is no such thing as a small problem. Always take the time to speak with a medical professional about any issues you have and to get your heart checked out.

Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute

Researchers at the Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular 

Research and Training Institute (CVRTI) are studying what can impact the heart’s electrical patterns and how to best diagnose, maintain, and treat cardiac arrhythmias. The CVRTI is committed to better understanding how to maintain a healthy and normal heart and improve heart health outcomes. 

CVRTI is famous because, thirty years ago, its Investigators discovered the molecular basis of the most prominent genetically acquired arrhythmia syndrome (“Long QT Syndrome”) and identified how common medicines can result in these highly dangerous heart arrhythmias. Now, Investigators are studying the mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation and ablation techniques with the goal of improving ablation outcomes (Ranjan). 

They are also studying techniques to prevent and terminate life threatening arrhythmias without the need for shocking the heart (Dosdall, Shaw) The genetic and metabolic basis for some of these arrhythmias is also being investigated (Aromolaran, Palatinus, Tristani).  Research at CVRTI is changing cardiac arrhythmia patients. Contact CVRTI to learn more about ongoing research for cardiac arrhythmia.