Arrhythmia

What is an arrhythmia?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. Your heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or with an irregular pattern. Changes in the electrical signals that control your heartbeat cause arrhythmias.

There are many types of arrhythmias. Arrhythmias may affect the upper or lower chamber of your heart. The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular and fast heartbeat.

Some arrhythmias are harmless, such as when your heart rate speeds up during exercise and slows down when you sleep. But if you have a frequent irregular rhythm, it may mean your heart isn't pumping enough blood into your body. Getting treatment and following a heart-healthy lifestyle can help control arrhythmias. It may also help prevent heart damage that can trigger some heart arrhythmias.

• When your heart beats faster than normal, it's called tachycardia.
• When your heart beats too slowly, it's called bradycardia.
• When the signal to beat comes too early, it's called a premature or extra heartbeat. It may feel like your heart skipped a beat.

What causes an arrhythmia?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Many factors can affect your heart's rhythm, such as having had a heart attack, smoking, congenital heart defects, and stress. Other factors that could increase your risk for some types of arrhythmias could include if you:

• Have a family history of arrhythmias
• Have certain health conditions, which can include heart and blood vessel diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, obesity, and sleep apnea
• Are an older adult
• Have had recent surgery for your heart, lungs, or throat
• Take certain medicines for other health conditions
• Use illegal drugs

If you have risk factors, some situations that make your heart work harder, raise your blood pressure, or cause strong emotional stress may trigger an arrhythmia.

What are the symptoms of an arrhythmia?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

You may not have any noticeable symptoms of an arrhythmia. Your provider may find an arrhythmia during your routine checkup. Symptoms of an arrhythmia can include:

• Fast or slow heartbeat
• Skipping, fluttering, or pounding heartbeats
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Dizziness or fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Tiredness or weakness

Seek emergency medical care if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or think you are having a heart attack.

How is an arrhythmia diagnosed?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

To find out if you have an arrhythmia, your health care provider may order an electrocardiogram (EKG). This test records your heart's electrical activity and is the most common for finding an arrhythmia. Your provider may also:

• Ask about your medical history, including your symptoms and lifestyle habits
• Do a physical exam, which includes checking your heartbeat and pulse
• Order blood tests and other heart tests
• Check your legs or feet for swelling
• Look for signs of other health conditions that could cause an arrhythmia, such as thyroid disease

What are the treatments for an arrhythmia?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Treatment may include medicines, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker, or sometimes surgery. Your provider may also recommend avoiding activities that may trigger your arrhythmia.

The goal of treatment is to restore a normal heart rhythm. If not treated, arrhythmias can damage your heart, brain, and other organs and could be life-threatening.

Can arrhythmias be prevented?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

To help prevent an arrhythmia, your provider may suggest that you make heart-healthy lifestyle changes and treat health conditions that may cause arrhythmias.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Arrhythmia is Cardiology, with a cardiologist as the relevant type of clinician. General physician / Family Medicine; paediatrician for children. Referral depends on symptoms.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• Is the main concern heart structure, rhythm, circulation or another cause?
• Which symptoms should change the timing of follow-up?
• How would a proposed investigation change the care plan?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

Where the source describes treatments, these are an overview of possible care, not a prescription for an individual. Ask which option applies to the confirmed diagnosis, what benefit is expected, what adverse effects to watch for and how progress will be assessed. Availability, approvals and local practice can differ from the country described in the source.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.