What is heart arrhythmia?
Heart arrhythmia means some type of diversion from your heart's normal electrical impulse pattern. There are many types of heart arrhythmias, including the following.
Atrial arrhythmias
Heart arrhythmias that start in the atria include:
- Extra heartbeats: flutter-like sensation
- Supraventricular arrhythmias: fast heart rate
- Atrial fibrillation: fast heart rate with erratic rhythm
- Atrial flutter: fast heart rate with regular rhythm
Ventricular arrhythmias
Heart arrhythmias starting in the ventricles include:
- Ventricular tachycardia: fast, steady beat
- Ventricular fibrillation: heart quivers instead of pumping properly
- Bradyarrhythmias: slow heartbeat
Arrhythmias can range from usually harmless like extra heartbeats to very serious like atrial fibrillation or ventricular fibrillation.
What are heart palpitations?
Heart palpitations are a feeling of something being off with your heartbeat. When you have palpitations, you may feel hyper-aware of your heartbeat, noting that it feels odd but possibly being unable to describe it. Sometimes, palpitation sufferers say that their heartbeat feels like it's skipping, beating too hard, or beating too fast.
In many cases, heart palpitations are caused by heart arrhythmias. Often, heart arrhythmias aren't serious or dangerous, but in some cases, they can be serious or potentially deadly. Therefore, it's always best to get checked by your cardiologist if you're experiencing palpitations.
How is heart arrhythmia diagnosed?
Your cardiologist performs a physical exam and discusses your symptoms with you first, and then performs diagnostic tests to determine what type of arrhythmia you're dealing with.
Diagnostic tests may include echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, electrophysiologic testing, tilt-table test, and stress test, and you might also be asked to wear a Holter monitor at home.
How are arrhythmias treated?
Treatment for arrhythmia varies widely. Not every type of arrhythmia requires treatment. A healthy lifestyle is important in managing arrhythmias. Your cardiologist may suggest changes including:
- Lowering your blood pressure
- Reducing your cholesterol levels
- Losing weight if you're overweight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Stopping smoking
- Engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise
Your cardiologist may also prescribe medication like beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmic drugs, or anticoagulant drugs to help control your arrhythmia. If you have a serious or potentially serious heart arrhythmia, you may need to undergo a procedure like catheter ablation using radiofrequency energy or get an implantable device to control your heart beat more efficiently.
If you’re concerned about a heart arrhythmia, contact Healing Hearts Clinic today by using the online appointment tool or calling the office.
