A normal heart rhythm (sinus) is a steady heartbeat of about 70 beats per minute. Heart arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms in which the heart beats too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or inconsistently. Many arrhythmias can be harmless, but others are life-threatening and need immediate treatment.
The adult heart beats around 100,000 times per day. This steady pumping is not something we’re generally aware of—until the rhythm becomes abnormal and beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly. A healthy heart has a normal sinus rhythm and will beat 60-100 times per minute, with the upper chambers in sync with the lower chambers, ensuring proper blood circulation.
For more than 65 years, Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists has led Southeast Texas in pioneering advanced cardiology care and services, providing comprehensive cardiovascular care, treatment, diagnostic, and prevention services designed to keep you–and your heart–as healthy as possible. Our team has spearheaded life-changing procedures like pacemaker implantation, angioplasty, and cardiac catheterization, and we remain at the forefront of innovation and advanced treatment modalities.
Fluctuations in Heart Rhythm vs an Arrhythmia
Fluctuations in heart rhythm can be normal or abnormal. Normal changes, such as a slight increase in heart rate while exercising or a decrease while sleeping, are part of how the body naturally works. However, arrhythmias or abnormal rhythms, where the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly without a clear cause, might signal an underlying health problem. Factors such as imbalances in electrolytes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stress, or other issues can cause these abnormal rhythms.
Arrhythmia is a common issue—almost everyone experiences some type of mild heart palpitation once in a while, such as a skipped heartbeat or fluttering. Any abnormal beating of the heart—whether it is too fast or slow or if it beats in an irregular pattern—is called an arrhythmia, and it can range from harmless to life-threatening. The types of arrhythmia depend on the chambers of the heart that are affected and the pattern of abnormal rhythm. While some people may experience mild or no symptoms from an abnormal rhythm, others may have more severe forms of arrhythmia that require treatment.
Risk Factors for Developing an Arrhythmia
Between 1.5% and 5% of adults will be diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia. The risk factors for developing arrhythmia include age, smoking, a family history of heart disease, excessive alcohol or caffeine, and chronic conditions such as diabetes or obesity. Symptoms of arrhythmia may be mild or more severe and can vary, but they often include palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, or fatigue. More severe types of arrhythmia can lead to chest pain, fainting, or even sudden cardiac arrest.
Diagnosing an Arrhythmia
While many types of arrhythmia can be mild and harmless, it’s still important to identify and address the causes of any irregular rhythms. Untreated arrhythmia can lead to serious complications such as stroke, heart failure, or organ damage because not enough oxygen-rich blood is circulating through the body. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help you manage symptoms, reduce risks of complications, and improve your quality of life.
Diagnosing arrhythmia involves a visit to your healthcare provider, where they will listen to your heart and perform a physical exam. Diagnostic tests may include an electrocardiogram (ECG), an echocardiogram, stress test, or MRI. You may also need to wear a Holter monitor for 24 hours or longer to record your heart’s electrical activity.
Types of Arrhythmia
Arrhythmias can be classified according to where in the heart they start and how they affect your heart rate. The heart has four chambers: two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). Arrhythmias can start in either the atria or the ventricles and can cause the heart to beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly. The following is an overview of the different types of arrhythmia and their severity.
Bradycardia
Bradycardia is when your heart beats slower than normal—less than 60 beats per minute. While it can be normal when you sleep and for athletes to have a slower heartbeat, bradycardia can cause fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, or even fainting. Bradycardia is often not something to worry about, but it can cause complications if your heart is not pumping enough blood and providing oxygen to your muscles and organs.
Supraventricular Arrhythmias
Supraventricular means above the ventricles and refers to the upper chambers–the atria–or the atrioventricular node, which is between the atria and ventricles. Arrhythmias that originate in these areas are generally less severe than ventricular arrhythmias and less likely to cause sudden death, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t serious. These types of arrhythmias can still cause uncomfortable symptoms and require proper treatment.
- Premature atrial contractions
Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are early heartbeats that start in the atria, causing a brief pause followed by a stronger heartbeat. They are usually harmless and often feel like a skipped or extra beat. Most people don’t need treatment for PAC.
- Supraventricular tachycardia
With supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), the heart suddenly beats much faster than usual because of problems with its electrical signals. The irregular electrical signals can come from either the atria or the atrioventricular node and can last from less than a minute to a few hours. Often SVT does not require treatment unless the fast heartbeat lasts a long time.
- Atrial tachycardia
A type of supraventricular tachycardia, atrial tachycardia is a fast heartbeat in which the atria beat more quickly than the ventricles. It is a less common type of SVT and is not usually life-threatening. However, it can cause symptoms that must be managed and if untreated, it can cause the heart muscle to weaken.
- Atrial flutter
Atrial flutter is an arrhythmia in which the atria beat very fast but in a regular pattern, leading to a rapid heart rate. It doesn’t always have symptoms but can cause palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness, and may require treatment because the heart is not pumping the blood efficiently.
- Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of arrhythmia, affecting millions of people and occurring mostly in older adults. With AFib, the atria beat irregularly and often rapidly, unlike the fast but regular pattern seen in atrial flutter. While not immediately life-threatening, it can lead to serious complications like stroke and heart failure if not treated. Like atrial flutter, AFib does not always have symptoms, but it can cause chest discomfort, fatigue, and palpitations. Due to its potential severity, AFib requires treatment and monitoring.
Ventricular Arrhythmias
Ventricular arrhythmias are abnormal rhythms that affect the ventricles—the lower chambers of the heart—and can be severe and life-threatening. These types of arrhythmias interrupt the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively and can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. While some ventricular arrhythmias may be less critical, many require immediate medical attention to prevent fatal outcomes.
- Premature ventricular contractions
Like PACs, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are early heartbeats that may feel like a skipped or extra beat. For most people, they aren’t dangerous and don’t require treatment.
- Ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) occurs when the ventricles beat faster than usual in a regular pattern. If VT lasts longer than a few seconds, it can be life-threatening by causing sudden cardiac arrest, in which all heart activity stops. Ventricular tachycardia can cause dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, or loss of consciousness and requires immediate emergency care.
- Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation (AFib) is the most severe type of arrhythmia. It is a dangerous condition that causes the ventricles to quiver instead of contracting correctly and can lead to a complete loss of coordinated heart function. This chaotic heart rhythm is life-threatening and can cause sudden cardiac arrest if not treated immediately. Symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden collapse, and loss of consciousness. Immediate emergency medical intervention is needed to restore a normal heart rhythm and save the person’s life.
When to See a Doctor About Your Heart Rhythm
Certain signs and symptoms require immediate medical attention because they may indicate serious or life-threatening arrhythmias. If you suddenly experience chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or a fast, irregular heartbeat that doesn’t go away, seek emergency care right away. These symptoms could be signs of a heart attack or other critical conditions that require urgent intervention.
The treatment for arrhythmia varies based on the type and severity of the condition. Common treatments include medications to manage heart rate and rhythm, lifestyle adjustments, and procedures like electrical cardioversion, which uses high-energy shocks to restore normal rhythm. In more severe instances, doctors may recommend implantable devices, such as pacemakers or defibrillators, or surgical options like catheter ablation to correct the heart’s underlying electrical pathways.
Complete Heart Health from Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists
Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists provides complete, comprehensive cardiovascular services throughout Southeast Texas with a team of dedicated and highly skilled providers including cardiologists, cardiovascular disease specialists, and interventional cardiology specialists. Here, we combine decades of expertise and experience in cardiovascular health with the very best in technology, techniques, and procedures at various locations to deliver quality cardiovascular services when and where our patients need them most.If you are experiencing symptoms of arrhythmia or have concerns about your heart rhythm, do not wait to seek help. Early detection and treatment can significantly lower the risk of complications and improve your quality of life. Contact Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists today to schedule an appointment and gain the peace of mind you deserve for a healthy life.
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