Heart Rhythm Disorders | UpBeat.org (2023)

FAQs

What is the most common cause of heart rhythm disorders? ›

Coronary artery disease, other heart problems and previous heart surgery. Narrowed heart arteries, a heart attack, abnormal heart valves, prior heart surgery, heart failure, cardiomyopathy and other heart damage are risk factors for almost any kind of arrhythmia.

Sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia and sinus arrhythmia are all normal heart rhythms where the electrical impulses travel in a normal way through the heart.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common irregular, often fast heart rhythm. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a very fast heart rhythm. There are different types of SVT. Most are due to electrical impulses not travelling normally from the top chambers of the heart to the bottom chambers of the heart.

While medications are used to control abnormal heart rhythms, ablation procedures can cure some types of arrhythmia completely. Once treated, whether through ablation or ongoing medications, most patients with a heart rhythm issue can return to their normal activity levels.

Stress can contribute to heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) such as atrial fibrillation. Some studies suggest that stress and mental health issues may cause your atrial fibrillation symptoms to worsen. High levels of stress may also be linked to other health problems.

Cardioversion is a medical procedure that uses quick, low-energy shocks to restore a regular heart rhythm. It's a treatment for certain types of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), including atrial fibrillation (A-fib). Sometimes cardioversion is done using medications.

Exercise regularly

Exercise can improve overall cardiovascular health and help restore the heart's natural rhythm. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety. Cardiovascular exercise helps strengthen the heart, which can prevent or reduce palpitations.

Arrhythmias can range from being just single extra heartbeats, to longer episodes that come and go, to abnormal rhythms that are permanent. Many arrhythmias are not dangerous and are treated because of the symptoms they cause.

What heart rhythm is normal? ›

A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Generally, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness. For example, a well-trained athlete might have a normal resting heart rate closer to 40 beats per minute.

You will need to be able to recognize the four lethal rhythms. Asystole, Ventricle Tachycardia (VT), Ventricle Fibrillation (VF), and Polymorphic Ventricle Tachycardia (Torsade de pointes).

Most people with an abnormal heart rhythm can lead a normal life if it is properly diagnosed. The main types of arrhythmia are: atrial fibrillation (AF) – this is the most common type, where the heart beats irregularly and faster than normal. supraventricular tachycardia – episodes of abnormally fast heart rate at rest.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An ECG is a test that records your heart's rhythm and electrical activity. It's usually carried out in a hospital or GP surgery, takes about 5 minutes, and is painless.

The impulse starts in a small bundle of specialized cells located in the right atrium, called the SA node. The electrical activity spreads through the walls of the atria and causes them to contract. This forces blood into the ventricles. The SA node sets the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat.

When your heart suddenly feels as though it's not beating normally, it can cause significant fear and discomfort. But anxiety itself can cause your heart to skip beats or feel like it's beating too hard or too irregularly. Then, this fear can lead you to experience an irregular heartbeat.

The Effect of Anxiety on the Heart

Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) – In serious cases, can interfere with normal heart function and increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Increased blood pressure – If chronic, can lead to coronary disease, weakening of the heart muscle, and heart failure.

The most common reason people get a pacemaker is their heart beats too slowly (called bradycardia), or it pauses, causing fainting spells or other symptoms. In some cases, the pacemaker may also be used to prevent or treat a heartbeat that is too fast (tachycardia) or irregular.

This arrhythmia is a fast arrhythmia from the lower chambers of the heart. It can be very brief and resolve on its own, but if it persists, it is serious, and can cause cardiac arrest.

Why do I keep getting irregular heart beat? ›

Things like caffeine, alcohol and stress can cause small, temporary arrhythmias like PVCs. But there are factors that can cause permanent arrhythmias, too. Your arteries are highways for oxygen and nutrients. However, fat, cholesterol and calcium can build plaques in the arteries, causing coronary artery disease.

Without immediate treatment, ventricular fibrillation can cause death within minutes. The condition's rapid, erratic heartbeats cause the heart to abruptly stop pumping blood to the body.

The AHA notes that an episode of AFib rarely causes death. However, these episodes can contribute to you experiencing other complications, such as stroke and heart failure, that can lead to death. In short, it's possible for AFib to affect your lifespan. It represents a dysfunction in the heart that must be addressed.

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). These are among the most common arrhythmias. They're the "skipped heartbeat" that many of us feel sometimes. Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach).

Changes in Heart Rhythms Are Usually Harmless

Our heart rate adapts to our body's need for energy throughout the day, whether it's for walking up the stairs or a bout of strenuous exercise. These tempo changes based on physical activity are perfectly normal.

Agonal rhythm is an abnormally slow heart rhythm that occurs near the end of life. It can be difficult thinking about the death of a loved one. But learning more about what happens in the final moments of life might make their passing a little less painful. Request an Appointment.

Ventricular fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia and is the most common cause of cardiac arrest. Ventricular fibrillation is a rapid heartbeat in the heart's ventricle, which causes the heart to tremble instead of normally pumping blood.

Parasympathetic control of the heart via the vagus nerve is the primary mechanism that regulates beat-to-beat control of heart rate. Additionally, the vagus nerve exerts significant effects at the AV node, as well as effects on both atrial and ventricular myocardium.

Age. As we age, changes in our heart such as scarring and the effects of other chronic conditions can raise the risk of arrhythmias. Older adults are also more likely to have health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes, and thyroid disease, that can lead to arrhythmias.

How do I get my irregular heartbeat back to normal? ›

Can a Heart Arrhythmia ever just go away? Yes. People can have only one episode. This can be caused by pericarditis (membrane or sac around your heart is inflamed), alcohol or other drugs, acute illness, or electrolyte abnormalities.

Adults who use methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates or cannabis (marijuana) may have a 35% to 86% higher risk of developing an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation or AFib, which can lead to serious heart-related complications, according to an analysis of 10 years of medical data.

In many cases, these irregular heartbeats are harmless and will resolve on their own. But when they occur persistently, they can be serious. When your heart's rhythm is disrupted, it isn't pumping oxygenated blood efficiently, which can cause harm to the heart and the rest of the body.

Arrhythmias and other heart conditions are associated with oxidant stress and inflammation. Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E appear to be effective in reducing these. You can use vitamin C to treat colds, the flu, and even cancer, and it can also help with arrhythmia.