Ever feel your heart beating too quickly? You may have an arrhythmia, a condition characterised by an irregular heart rhythm. Find out more about arrhythmias and learn how to detect the symptoms of an abnormal heart rhythm.
What Is an Abnormal Heart Rhythm?
Heart rhythm problems, or arrhythmia, occur when the electrical impulses produced by your heart that coordinate heartbeat do not function properly, causing your heart to beat too quickly (tachycardia), too slowly (bradycardia), or irregularly (bradycardia-tachycardia).
Age increases the probability of experiencing an arrhythmia. It may also occur in people who do not have heart disease.
Some heart arrhythmias are harmless while other types, such as ventricular tachycardia (fast heart rates), are serious, even life-threatening.
Causes of Irregular Heart Rhythm
In many cases, the cause of an arrhythmia is unknown. Some known causes include heart disease, stress, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, diet pills, and decongestants in cough and cold medicines.
Symptoms of Abnormal Heart Rhythm
Most people experience symptoms like a fast heartbeat, pounding or fluttering chest sensations, skipping a heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pains.
Learn more about the condition and possible treatment options here.
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