Ever used the words, ‘My heart skipped a beat’, after a fright? Most of us have experienced a thumping pulse – or palpitations – on occasion, often a normal response to a sudden shock, stress or something exciting happening.
However, palpitations can signal heart rhythm disorders, known as arrhythmias, which can be life-threatening. They are often treatable, so if you’re concerned about any symptoms, get them checked out.
What is an arrhythmia?
An arrhythmia is an irregular or abnormal heart rhythm that occurs due to faults in the electrical signals responsible for keeping our hearts beating. They can originate in the heart’s upper chambers (supraventricular) or lower (ventricular) and might cause an abnormally slow pulse (bradycardia) or abnormally fast (tachycardia). They can also cause the heart to beat erratically and with ‘skipped’ or premature (ectopic) beats.
Are arrhythmias dangerous?
Not all arrhythmias are dangerous – although they might still cause symptoms that can impact your quality of life, while some can be very serious. One of the most common is atrial fibrillation (AF), which causes an irregular, abnormally fast pulse. In some cases, AF can cause strokes, so getting it diagnosed and, if necessary, treated is crucial. Some arrhythmias can cause sudden death syndrome, including Long QT syndrome. Close monitoring, medication, surgical procedures such as catheter ablation in some cases, and lifestyle changes can all play a role in managing arrhythmias.
What are the symptoms?
Arrhythmias are sometimes intermittent (which means your heart rhythm might sometimes be completely normal) and symptoms can vary. Some people barely notice them, while they might be debilitating for others. As well as being able to feel an irregular or abnormal pulse, symptoms include feeling lightheaded, dizzy and breathless, and blackouts or fainting (known as syncope), which occurs due to lack of oxygen reaching the brain and can also cause seizures.
How is a heart rhythm disorder diagnosed?
The only way to be sure if you have a heart rhythm disorder is to see a specialist. Most arrhythmias will need to be ‘captured’ on a monitoring device. As well as ECG tests, you might need to wear a Holter monitor for 24 hours or a few days. If an arrhythmia is suspected but symptoms are very intermittent, you might need to have an Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR) implanted under the skin on your chest, to monitor your heart for several months.
The severity of symptoms doesn’t always reflect the severity of the underlying cause, so any symptoms that might indicate arrhythmia must never be ignored. Palpitations, dizziness and even fainting might seem very common and normal, but you should always tell your doctor and get things properly checked out.
If you’re concerned about your heartbeat, or symptoms such as palpitations or syncope, book a consultation with London Heart Clinic’s Consultant Cardiologist, Dr Syed Ahsan.
Concerned About Your Heartbeat? Watch Our Video to Learn More
If you’re experiencing palpitations, dizziness, or fainting, it might be more than just a simple fright. Learn about arrhythmias, their symptoms, and treatment options in our short video. Don’t ignore the signs – your heart health matters. If you’d like to learn more about arrhythmias and how to manage them, be sure to check out our video.