Heart Arrhythmia

Quick answer

A heart arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. Your heart may race, slow down, skip a beat or flutter. Electrical signals tell your heart when to beat, and arrhythmia happens when those signals get disrupted. Not every type is dangerous. Some cause no trouble at all, while others lead to serious problems if ignored. Aging, smoking, too much alcohol or caffeine, thyroid trouble and stress can all trigger it. Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes to medication.

If you’ve noticed your heart racing or skipping beats at times, you may be dealing with heart arrhythmia or a more serious cardiac condition. Although it can be mild, if left unchecked, complications can arise and affect your overall heart health. To avoid this, we advise patients to seek immediate attention the moment they notice any changes in their heart’s rhythm. Depending on the severity of your condition, your treatment could range from lifestyle adjustments to medication.

For over 30 years, our team at CACVI has been providing expert cardiovascular care to patients with heart rhythm disorders. Our board-certified cardiologists are committed to delivering personalized, safe, and effective care to support your long-term heart health. If you have concerns or questions about arrhythmia, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us today.

What Is Heart Arrhythmia?

Heart arrhythmia, also known as cardiac arrhythmia, dysrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, is a condition that causes your heart to beat too fast, too slow, or unevenly. The most telltale sign of it is feeling your heart race, skip a beat, or flutter unexpectedly.

There are electrical signals that tell your heart when to beat, and if they malfunction, you can develop heart arrhythmia. There are different types of arrhythmias, and not all of them are dangerous. However, some can lead to serious complications if left untreated. To protect your heart health and avoid any problems, it’s best to speak with a doctor if you suspect you have an irregular heartbeat.

What Causes Heart Arrhythmia?

Heart arrhythmia is caused by a disruption in the electrical signals that control your heartbeat. It’s the job of these signals to keep your heartbeat steady, and any disruption can cause your heart to beat too fast, too slow, or unevenly.

What Are the Risk Factors for Heart Arrhythmia?

Although arrhythmias are caused by faulty signals, there are many underlying factors that can trigger or worsen them. Some risk factors for heart arrhythmia include:

Aging
Family history of arrhythmia
Smoking
Excess alcohol consumption
Certain medications
Drug abuse
Thyroid issues like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
Excess caffeine intake
Anxiety
Stress
Valve disorders
Heart attack injuries, such as scarring
Diabetes

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Common Types of Arrhythmia

Heart arrhythmias are broadly divided into two major groups, tachycardia and bradycardia.

1. Tachycardia—Fast Heartbeat

Tachycardia occurs when the heart beats faster than normal, typically over 100 beats per minute. You may notice a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest discomfort. Persistent tachycardia can increase the risk of complications if left untreated.

Tachycardia can further be broken down into:

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heartbeat originating in the atria (the heart’s upper chambers). It can cause palpitations, shortness of breath, weakness, or chest pain. AF increases the risk of blood clots, stroke, and other complications, making timely diagnosis and management essential.

Atrial Flutter

The difference between atrial flutter and AFib is that the heartbeat is more organized. It often causes a fast but regular heartbeat and may lead to symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort. While it is not as severe as AFib, atrial flutter can still increase your risk of blood clots and stroke if left untreated.

Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib)

This life-threatening form of arrhythmia occurs when the ventricles (the heart’s lower chambers) quiver instead of pumping blood. V-fib can cause a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure, leading to collapse or cardiac arrest. Early detection and prompt intervention are important to boost the patient’s chances of survival.

Supraventricular Tachycardia

In the case of supraventricular tachycardia, you’ll experience a rapid heartbeat above your ventricles, which usually leads to palpitations, a pounding chest, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath. An episode can range from seconds to hours and can come without warning. It is not always dangerous, but it can be disruptive and uncomfortable to deal with.

Ventricular Tachycardia

This is another form of arrhythmia that happens in the ventricles and it may prevent the heart from pumping blood properly. It can cause symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, and even fainting. VT can be serious, especially if it lasts longer than a few seconds, as it may progress to ventricular fibrillation.

2. Bradycardia—Slow Heartbeat

Bradycardia is characterized by a slower-than-normal heartbeat, usually under 60 beats per minute. Symptoms can include fatigue, dizziness, fainting, or difficulty exercising. While sometimes harmless, severe bradycardia may require medical evaluation or intervention.

It usually occurs in two primary forms:

Sick Sinus Syndrome

Although it can be mild at first, sick sinus syndrome often requires medical evaluation to prevent worsening rhythm problems. When the sinus node, your heart’s natural pacemaker, doesn’t work as it should, this is called sick sinus syndrome. It can cause the heart to alternate between beating too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. Symptoms typically include fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, and fainting.

Conduction Block

A conduction block, or a heart block, happens when the electrical signals that travel through your heart are delayed or stopped. This could result in your heart beating slower or skipping beats entirely. You may also experience lightheadedness, fainting, or noticeable fatigue.

What Are the Symptoms of Heart Arrhythmia and When Should You See a Doctor?

You should see a doctor if you notice frequent or persistent irregular heartbeats, especially if accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

A fluttering, pounding or racing feeling in the chest
A fast heartbeat
A slow heartbeat
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Anxiety
Feeling very tired
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Sweating
Fainting or almost fainting
Heart palpitations

Heart Arrhythmia Diagnosis & Treatment

Because arrhythmias can present differently in each individual, it’s best for doctors to conduct a thorough evaluation. This will allow them to pinpoint the underlying cause and create a treatment plan tailored to your condition.

Diagnosis typically begins with a comprehensive review of your symptoms, medical history, and overall heart health. From there, your doctor may recommend one or more diagnostic procedures, such as an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a stress test, to assess your heart’s structure, rhythm, and electrical activity.

Heart Arrhythmia Treatments

Treatment for heart arrhythmia depends on the type, its severity, and your overall health. Your doctor will develop a personalized plan based on your specific diagnosis and symptoms.

Lifestyle recommendations are often the first step in managing mild arrhythmias. Improving your sleep habits, managing stress, and reducing caffeine or alcohol intake can help stabilize your heart rate and reduce episodes over time. If necessary, your doctor may also place you on medications to help regulate your heart. For complex cases, your doctor may recommend advanced procedures such as catheter ablation or the use of implantable devices, including pacemakers or defibrillators, which help regulate the heart’s rhythm automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have any questions, our team is here to help. You can speak with one of our board-certified specialists by booking a consultation, where we’ll review your symptoms, perform any necessary testing, and guide you toward the right next steps for your heart health.

What Is the Most Serious Type of Arrhythmia?

The most serious type of arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation (V-fib), a life-threatening condition where the heart’s lower chambers quiver instead of pumping blood.

What Is an Irregular Heartbeat?

An irregular heartbeat, also known as an arrhythmia, occurs when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or inconsistently. It may feel like fluttering, skipping beats, or a sudden racing sensation.

What Heart Rate is Considered Abnormal?

A resting heart rate consistently below 60 beats per minute (bradycardia) or above 100 beats per minute (tachycardia) is generally considered abnormal.

How Is Arrhythmia Diagnosed?

Arrhythmia is diagnosed through tests that measure the heart’s electrical activity and rhythm. Some common procedures for running these tools include electrocardiograms (EKGs), Holter monitors, stress tests, and echocardiograms. After running these tests, a doctor then uses this information to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Schedule a personalized assessment and find out your treatment options.

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Dr. Moinakhtar Lala and Dr. Mehran J. Khorsandi of CACVI

Dr. M Lala, Dr. Mehran J. Khorsandi and Dr. V Lala

Meet Your Specialists

The Center for Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Interventions (CACVI) is led by Dr. M Lala, Dr. Khorsandi, and Dr. V Lala, who have over thirty years of practice with over 15,000 vascular and cardiac procedures performed. Our physicians are determined to provide each patient with experienced, compassionate care as they work diligently to improve your health.