When your heart beats abnormally or irregularly, it is known as arrhythmia. A normal heartbeat pumps blood throughout your body and all its organs, but untreated arrhythmia can have serious consequences. Knowing these 6 warning signs of heart arrhythmia can be lifesaving.
Types of Arrhythmias
A normal heartbeat is between 60 and 100 beats per minute while at rest. When our organs don’t get the steady blood flow they need, they can become damaged or just stop working.
Bradycardia is when your heart beats less than 60 beats per minute while at rest.
Tachycardia is when your heart beats more than 60 beats per minute.
Our heart rate can change depending on what we are doing like the following:
- It will increase during exercise, when we are sick, or under stress.
- Some medications can affect our heart rate.
- Smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and drug use can all affect our heart rate.
Most Common Type of Arrhythmia: Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia according to the CDC. It is an uncoordinated or chaotic heartbeat. Known as AFib, it can cause a quivering feeling in your chest. It occurs when the two upper chambers of your heart pump out of sync. People with AFib are 5 times more likely to have a stroke.
In addition, it can cause your heart to beat as fast as 170 beats per minute. You will feel heart palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating, and chest pain. Unfortunately, not everyone has symptoms.
When arrhythmias, including AFib last long enough, more serious symptoms can occur like collapse and sudden cardiac arrest.
If you think you may have arrhythmia, contact Tri-City Cardiology for tests and a diagnosis at one of our offices in the Phoenix area.
Complications of Arrhythmia
Uneven heart rates can lead to the following:
- Alzheimer’s and dementia due to your brain not getting enough blood
- Heart failure
- Stroke due to clots
If you suspect you have arrhythmia, contact Tri-City Cardiology at (480) 835-6100 to schedule an appointment for a diagnosis and treatment strategy.
Sources:
Symptoms, Diagnosis and Monitoring of Arrhythmia | American Heart Association
Arrhythmia: Symptoms, Types, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment (webmd.com)