Information From Your Health Care Provider

HEART RHYTHM IRREGULARITY

(Arrhythmia)

Basic information

description

A heart rhythm irregularity (arrhythmia) involves a change in the regular beat of the heart. They are common, and many are mild and require no treatment. Almost all adults have some amount of irregular heartbeats. They can affect all ages, but they are most likely to occur in people over age 65.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

A fluttering in the chest; the heart seems to skip a beat, or beat irregularly, or beat very fast or slowly.
Shortness of breath and/or mild chest pains.
Faintness, dizziness, or weakness.
Feeling anxious.
No symptoms (frequently).

causes

The heart has an electrical system that controls its rate and contractions. The average heart beats at a rate of 60 to 100 times per minute. With arrhythmias, the electrical system does not function as it should. There are different types of arrhythmias depending on what part of the heart is involved. They can be due to a number of causes. In some cases, no cause is found.

risk increases with

Older adults.
Heart diseases. This includes rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, previous heart attack, or heart-muscle inflammation.
Endocrine disorders, such as thyroid and adrenal gland diseases.
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance, such as too little or too much potassium.
Use of certain prescribed and nonprescription drugs.
Overdose of certain drugs, including antidepressants, caffeine, marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Postoperative effects following chest or heart surgery.
Chronic kidney disease.
High blood pressure.
Smoking or excess alcohol use.
Stress.
Sleep deprivation (lack of sleep) or sleep apnea.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Avoid risk factors where possible and get treatment for those that are treatable.

expected outcomes

Irregular heartbeats that occur only occasionally are typically harmless and require no treatment. Other arrhythmias can usually be controlled with treatment.

possible complications

Complications may arise from the heart disease that is causing the arrhythmia.
Some arrhythmias can lead to complications if they are untreated.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do a physical exam and listen to the heart with a stethoscope. Medical tests usually include an electrocardiogram (ECG) or you may be asked to wear a Holter monitor (a portable ECG) for 1 to 5 days. These aid in diagnosing heart diseases by measuring the electrical activity of the heart. Other tests may be done to see if the cause is a heart disease.
Treatment, if needed, will depend on the cause.
You may require cardioversion (brief electric shock to the heart) to restore normal rhythm.
Surgery may be needed to correct some heart problems (coronary-artery bypass, to replace damaged heart valve, or insertion of a pacemaker or atrial defibrillator).
Counseling may be helpful if stress is a major factor.
Wear a medical alert bracelet or pendant showing the name of your condition.
To learn more: American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231; (800) 242-8721; website: www.americanheart.org.

medications

Antiarrhythmic drugs may be prescribed. You may need to try several of them to find the most effective one. Certain arrhythmias may also require anticoagulant drug therapy.

activity

Your health care provider will advise you if there are any limits.

diet

Avoid caffeine-containing beverages and alcohol.

notify our office if

You or a family member has symptoms of heart-rhythm irregularity.
New, unexplained symptoms develop.