What is a heart arrhythmia?
Heart arrhythmia is the medical term for an abnormal heart rhythm or irregular heartbeat. An arrhythmia is most easily thought of as an ‘electrical’ problem with the heart
What is a heart arrhythmia?
A heart arrhythmia, often referred to solely as an arrhythmia, is a medical condition that occurs when your heart's rhythm becomes irregular. Normally, your heart beats in a steady and coordinated rhythm, with each beat following a precise pattern. This regular rhythm allows your heart to pump blood effectively throughout your body.
In the case of an arrhythmia, your heart may beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. These abnormal heartbeats can occur for various reasons, such as problems with your heart's electrical system, heart diseases, or other medical conditions. Arrhythmias can range from harmless to potentially life-threatening, depending on their type and severity.
What is the electrical system of your heart?
The electrical system of your heart is a complex network of specialised cells and pathways responsible for generating and coordinating the electrical signals that regulate your heart's rhythm and contractions. This system ensures that your heart beats in a coordinated and efficient way, pumping blood throughout your body.
A heart arrhythmia, often referred to solely as an arrhythmia, is a medical condition that occurs when your heart's rhythm becomes irregular.
What are the different types of heart arrhythmia?
There are five main types of heart arrhythmia:
Atrial fibrillation
This is the most common type of arrhythmia, where your heart beats irregularly and faster than normal.
Supraventricular tachycardia
This involves periods of abnormally fast heart rate when you’re at rest.
Bradycardia
This type of arrhythmia is where the heart beats slower than normal.
Heart block
This is another condition where the heart beats more slowly than normal, and it can cause people to collapse.
Ventricular fibrillation
This a rare heart rhythm disorder that occurs when your heartbeat is very rapid and irregular. It leads to rapid loss of consciousness and can be fatal if not treated immediately.
What causes a heart arrhythmia?
Heart arrhythmias can have various causes and affect people of all ages and stages in life. Some common factors and conditions that can lead to heart arrhythmias include:
Heart disease
Conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart valve disease, and heart failure can disrupt your heart's electrical system and lead to arrhythmias.
Age
As people get older, the risk of developing arrhythmias increases. This is partly due to natural wear and tear on your heart's electrical system over time.
High blood pressure
This can strain your heart and increase your risk of arrhythmias
Structural abnormalities
Congenital heart defects or acquired heart conditions that alter your heart's structure can predispose people to arrhythmias.
Electrolyte imbalances
Abnormal levels of electrolytes (such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium) in your body can disrupt your heart's electrical signals.
Medication and drugs
Certain medications, as well as recreational drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, can trigger arrhythmias.
Stress and anxiety
High levels of stress and anxiety can sometimes lead to palpitations or arrhythmias.
Excessive alcohol or caffeine
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine can be a trigger for some people.
Smoking
Smoking is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias.
Sleep apnoea
This condition is characterised by pauses in breathing during sleep and can contribute to arrhythmias.
Infections
Some infections, such as myocarditis, can cause inflammation of your heart muscle and disrupt the electrical system.
Thyroid disorders
Thyroid problems, especially hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), can lead to arrhythmias.
Genetics
Some arrhythmias have a genetic component and may run in families.
Lifestyle factors
Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and a poor diet can contribute to heart problems that may lead to arrhythmias.
Other medical conditions
Chronic diseases like diabetes, chronic kidney disease and lung diseases can increase the risk of arrhythmias.
No matter the cause, your cardiologist will help you find the best possible treatment to manage your heart health.
It’s always worth getting your symptoms checked, because an arrhythmia can be caused by a more serious underlying heart condition.
Heart arrhythmias: key facts
Heart arrhythmias are common, affecting more than 2 million people each year in the UK.
As long as it’s properly diagnosed, most people with an abnormal or irregular heartbeat can live a completely normal life.
The symptoms of a heart arrhythmia
The signs of an arrhythmia include palpitations, feeling dizzy, fainting and being short of breath, although having these symptoms does not always mean you have an arrhythmia.
It’s always worth getting your symptoms checked, because an arrhythmia can be caused by a more serious underlying heart condition. To diagnose a heart arrhythmia, a cardiologist or electrophysiologist will take a recording of your heart rhythm called an electrocardiogram (ECG). Sometimes, you might need to wear a portable ECG recorder for 24 hours. If exercise seems to trigger the symptoms, you might need to run on a treadmill or use an exercise bike while an ECG is taken.
Treatment for an arrhythmia
There are different treatments for different types of heart arrhythmia, and they sit alongside treatments for the underlying causes for heart arrhythmia such as heart failure. Treating heart arrhythmias sits within the wider field of cardiology, which is concerned with all aspects of heart health.
- Medication: There are medications available to control arrhythmias and prevent episodes
- Cardioversion: This is a treatment which uses an electrical pulse to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm while you are anaesthetised or sedated
- Catheter ablation: This is a keyhole treatment which is carried out under local or general anaesthetic and aims to carefully destroy diseased heart tissue
- Pacemaker: This is a small device that replicates the action of the natural pacemaker in your heart, producing electrical signals to help your heart beat at a normal rate
- ICD: This is a device similar to a pacemaker that detects when the heart rhythm becomes irregular and shocks it back into a normal rhythm
Get help with Circle Health Group
At Circle Health Group we offer tailored treatment for heart problems with our network of brilliant cardiologists.
If you want to know more about our treatment options, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.
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If you're concerned about symptoms you're experiencing or require further information on this subject, talk to a GP or see an expert consultant at your local Circle Hospital.