An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart beat. When everything is working well, the heart should maintain a steady, even beat. Arrhythmia occurs when the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or erratically. The changes in heart rhythm can be caused by several different factors. Some medications speed up the heart rate. Smoking, stress, an imbalance in the electrolytes in your system, and heart disease can also change the heart rate.
Some forms of arrhythmia, like premature atrial contractions that occur in the upper chambers of the heart, are not dangerous at all. Others, like a sudden rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) or an extremely intermittent or slow heartbeat (bradycardia), can cause a disruption in the heart’s ability to deliver blood to the body’s organs. If the disruption goes on for too long or severely impedes the blood flow to the extremities it can be very dangerous and lead to cardiac arrest.
1. Chest Pain
One of the most alarming signs that an arrhythmia has occurred is chest pain. The presence of pain indicates that the arrhythmia has lasted long enough to impact the heart’s ability to move blood through the cardiovascular system. Pain can occur due to a fast heart rate, slow heart rate, or irregular heart rate. The pain might be sharp and localized near the center of your chest, or it could be more of an ache that radiates in your upper chest and sometimes into your back.
Not all pain in the chest is caused by a heart problem, though. Unusual physical activity, acid reflux, or even irritable bowel syndrome can cause discomfort in the upper torso that simulates heart pain. These types of pain usually dissipate after a short period of time, however. Any time you experience chest pain that does not go away when you change position or take an antacid you should visit your doctor, if only to ease your mind that nothing serious is wrong. The pain may not be related to arrhythmia, but if it is you will have the greatest chance of preventing a more serious medical problem if the trouble is recognized and treated as early as possible.
2. Dizziness
Another sign that your heart may be beating abnormally is if you experience unexpected dizziness. It is normal for people to get dizzy if they stand up or move too quickly after sitting or lying down for a period of time, especially if they are older. If the dizzy spell occurs without any apparent reason, it might be related to a problem with your heart rate. If you experience dizziness associated with any of the other symptoms on this list it is a good idea to have yourself checked out by a doctor as soon as possible, especially if you are experiencing any pain.
3. Fainting
When your heart rate changes too dramatically, or is abnormal for a long time, you might find that you feel faint. Your vision could become blurry and you will have a sensation of being disconnected from the world around you. You might have an urgent need to sit or lie down. When this occurs because of arrhythmia it is caused by a lack of oxygen reaching your lungs through the bloodstream. When the heart does not beat quickly enough it can’t push enough red blood into the respiratory system. If you feel faint for longer than a few minutes, or you actually lose consciousness altogether, it is time to make an appointment with your doctor.
4. Lightheadedness
Lightheadedness is very similar to dizziness. You feel disconnected from the world around you and you might find it difficult to maintain your balance or walk in a straight line. As with fainting, this could be caused by an irregular heart beat not sending enough oxygenated blood to your extremities. It could be that your lungs are starved for oxygen, or it could be that some parts of your brain are starved for nutrients. If you feel lightheaded and experience any pain or difficulty breathing you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. The cause may not be heart related, but there is no way to be sure until a doctor takes a look.
5. Palpitations
Everyone has felt like their heart skipped a beat or fluttered in their chest from time to time. It is normal for that to happen, especially in emotionally charged situations. Sometimes it even feels like your heart is trying to beat right out of your chest. If you feel like your heartbeat is unusual for a long period of time, however, it could be something more serious. If the palpitations, or irregular heartbeats, are associated with pain there is a chance they are related to arrhythmia and you should have a doctor check to find the underlying cause of the irregular heart rate.
6. Slow Heart Rate
A slow heart rate, also known as bradycardia, is not always something that you will be able to feel. Usually a slower heartbeat is indicated by other symptoms, such as feeling faint or dizzy. A bradycardia can also cause your hands and feet to become cold because there is not enough blood moving through the cardiovascular system to maintain the warmth of those extremities. A normal heart rate is generally between 50 and 100 beats per minute. If yours is below 50 you should visit a doctor as soon as possible to find out if you have a more serious heart condition.
7. Shortness of Breath
There are many reasons for someone to suffer from shortness of breath. Physical exertion, allergies, congestion, and chronic breathing problems like asthma can all make it difficult to draw in enough oxygen. If you become short of breath in a normal situation, however, it could be one of the signs that something is not right with your heart rate. Arrhythmia can make it difficult to draw in enough air because there is not enough blood running through the lungs to collect the oxygen and send it to the heart, so the oxygen stays in the lungs and there is no room for more to replace it. Difficulty breathing is a symptom that should send you to your doctor as soon as possible.
