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An arrhythmia is a problem with the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. A heartbeat that is too fast is called tachycardia. A heartbeat that is too slow is called bradycardia.
Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can be serious or even life threatening. When the heart rate is too slow, too fast or irregular, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. A lack of blood flow can damage the brain, heart and other organs.
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Symptoms
Many arrhythmias cause no signs or symptoms. When signs or symptoms are present, the most common ones include:
- Palpitations (a feeling that your heart has skipped a beat or is beating too hard)
- A slow heartbeat
- An irregular heartbeat
- Feeling of pauses between heartbeats
More serious signs and symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Weakness
- Dizziness and light-headedness
- Fainting or nearly fainting
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Diagnosis
Treatment
Common arrhythmia treatments may include medication therapy, medical procedures (pacemaker or ICD implantation, catheter ablation, EP testing and mapping), and surgical procedures (modified MAZE procedure, coronary artery bypass graft). Treatment is needed when an arrhythmia causes serious symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain or fainting, or when it increases your chances of developing complications such as heart failure, stroke or sudden cardiac death.
The Heart and Vascular Center at Providence offers a variety of diagnostic and treatment resources for arrhythmia:
Physicians
Need current list of relevant physicians.
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