Irregular heartbeats can occur now and then, and are not an immediate health threat when they are one-off occurrences. Atrial fibrillation alone affected about 59.7 million people worldwide in 2019. Palpitations account for roughly 0.6% of emergency department visits, which explains why these symptoms can feel unsettling.
This article explains what cardiac arrhythmia is, why it happens, how it feels, and the tests doctors use to diagnose it, so you can recognise warning signs and seek timely, expert care.
What Is Cardiac Arrhythmia?
An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm caused by disrupted electrical signals in the heart’s tissue. Normally, the heart’s natural pacemaker (the sinoatrial node) sets a steady rhythm; with arrhythmia, beats may be too fast, too slow, or irregular. Some arrhythmias are harmless and brief; others can increase the risk of fainting, stroke, or, in severe cases, cardiac arrest. An expert cardiologist's diagnosis and review can confirm the type and advise on effective treatment avenues.
Types of Arrhythmia
Understanding the types of arrhythmia helps match symptoms to causes and tests. Broadly, heart rhythms can run too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Each pattern feels different, carries distinct risks, and needs tailored treatment. An ECG can capture the heart rhythm at the time of symptoms, while a Holter/ambulatory monitor records longer to catch intermittent episodes of arrhythmia.
For a general overview, let’s consider the primary types and their usual triggers, symptoms, and warning signs, then look at subtypes in detail.
Tachycardia (fast heartbeat, usually >100 bpm at rest)
Tachycardia means a persistently fast heartbeat, often originating in the atria or ventricles. Triggers include stress, fever, high caffeine intake, thyroid disease, or heart disease.
Typical Symptoms: Pounding pulse, breathlessness, chest tightness, light-headedness.
- • Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): Sudden episodes of a rapid rhythm starting in the upper chambers; often stops on its own.
- • Atrial fibrillation (AF): irregular, often fast rhythm from the upper chambers of the heart; raises stroke risk if untreated.
- • Atrial flutter: A fast but more organised upper-chamber rhythm; symptoms can mirror Atrial Fibrillation.
- • Ventricular tachycardia (VT): Fast rhythm from the lower chambers; may be serious, especially with a prior history of heart disease.
- • Ventricular fibrillation (VF): Sporadic lower-chamber rhythm; a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Bradycardia (slow heartbeat, usually <60 bpm with symptoms)
Bradycardia is a persistently slow heart rate, typically fewer than 60 beats per minute, that may interfere with the heart’s ability to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body. It can occur with age, medicines, sleep apnea, or thyroid issues. Diagnosis usually involves an electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitoring, and blood tests to identify reversible causes. Early evaluation is important to prevent complications and ensure adequate heart function.
Symptoms: fatigue, dizziness, breathlessness, fainting; telltale signs include collapse or confusion.
- • Sinus bradycardia: The heart’s natural pacemaker pulses slowly. It can occur even in heart-healthy individuals and is not a major risk as a one-off occurrence.
- • Sick sinus syndrome: The pacemaker area alternates between slow rates and pauses (sometimes with bursts of fast rhythm).
- • Atrioventricular (AV) block: Electrical signals are delayed or blocked between the upper and lower chambers; severity ranges from mild to complete block.
Irregular Heart Rhythms (ectopic beats and other patterns)
Irregular heart rhythms feel skipped or erratic, not steadily fast or slow. Common causes include stimulants, stress, sleep, or heart disease. Seek assessment if episodes persist, worsen, or are accompanied by chest pain and dizziness.
- • Premature atrial contractions (PACs): Early beats from the atria; usually benign, may feel like a “skipped” beat.
- • Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs): Early beats from the ventricles; often harmless as one-off occurrences. Frequent instances can point to heart disease, however.
- • “Irregularly irregular” pulse in AF: An uneven rhythm without a repeating pattern is typical of Atrial fibrillation.
What Causes Heart Arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia happens when the heart's electrical signals are disrupted. Sometimes, no clear cause is found. Your cardiology specialist will focus on symptom control, risk reduction, and monitoring for any underlying condition.
Knowing what is causing your arrhythmia – heart disease, lifestyle triggers, medical conditions, or inherited factors - can guide you to recognise and seek testing, prevention, and treatment early:
- • Heart disease: Coronary disease, heart failure, valve problems, or cardiomyopathy can alter electrical pathways.
- • High blood pressure: Long-term strain on the blood vessels can enlarge or stiffen chambers, increasing arrhythmia risk.
- • Thyroid problems or electrolyte imbalance: Thyroid hormone fluctuation, or abnormal potassium/magnesium, can trigger rhythm changes.
- • Anaemia and infections: Reduced oxygen delivery or systemic illness may trigger palpitations or sustained arrhythmias.
- • Sleep apnoea: Frequent night-time drops in blood oxygen can stress the heart and increase atrial fibrillation.
- • Medicines and stimulants: Some decongestants, certain energy drinks, and excess caffeine may trigger episodes.
- • Stress, dehydration, or fever: Common short-term triggers that can make the heart beat faster or irregularly.
Common Symptoms of Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia symptoms vary by type and severity. Symptoms may come and go, last seconds to hours, and sometimes relate to triggers like stress, poor sleep, dehydration, alcohol, or certain stimulants (e.g., some energy drinks).
If symptoms are new, persistent, or worrying, seek medical advice. Recognising patterns helps clinicians choose tests, guide treatment, and prioritise safety. Listed below are common warning signs:
- • Some people feel palpitations, such as fluttering, thudding, or skipped extra beats, which can be brief, occasional, or bothersome during daily activities.
- • A resting heartbeat may be unusually fast or slow, sometimes without symptoms, yet causing awareness of pounding or sluggish pulses, resulting in general discomfort.
- • Arrhythmias can reduce effective blood flow, leading to dizziness or light-headedness, particularly when standing quickly, exercising, or during prolonged episodes.
- • Some arrhythmias cause breathlessness or reduced exercise tolerance, making everyday tasks harder and prompting people to pause, rest, or slow down.
- • Chest discomfort may feel like pressure, tightness, or vague unease; seek urgent care if severe, persistent, or accompanied by breathlessness.
- • Fatigue or low energy can follow frequent palpitations or poorly controlled rhythms, affecting mood, concentration, and day-to-day stamina and motivation.
- • Fainting or near-fainting may occur when blood pressure drops during an arrhythmia; this needs medical assessment to exclude dangerous causes.
Some arrhythmias are silent and only found on routine tests. A quick ECG or wearable rhythm review with the best cardiology hospital in Dubai can prove vital in planning next steps for effective cardiac care.
How Is Arrhythmia Diagnosed?
Your clinician will start by examining your cardiac symptoms and history, and then prescribe tests to assess the heart rhythm and diagnose underlying causes. The aim is to match the type of arrhythmia with the right treatment while checking overall heart health. Here are some core tests that are commonly administered:
- • ECG (Electrocardiogram): A diagnostic test that records electrical activity to spot rhythm irregularities.
- • Holter monitor: 24-hour (or longer) wearable to catch intermittent arrhythmia episodes during daily life.
- • Echocardiogram: Ultrasound views of chambers, valves, and pumping strength informing cause and risk.
- • Stress test: Evaluates rhythm and blood flow during exercise or medication-induced stress.
- • Electrophysiology study: Dedicated catheter mapping pinpoints abnormal circuits to guide ablation that can be curative for some arrhythmias.
When to See a Cardiologist for Arrhythmia Treatment
Many arrhythmias are intermittent. Not catching one on the first test is common. Your cardiology specialists will plan for an ideal treatment timeline and follow‑up. They will discuss the benefits, risks, and alternatives for each option and plan regular follow‑up to monitor symptoms, medicines, and device settings where relevant. Most people can return to usual activities with the right treatment plan.
- • Blood pressure, diabetes, weight, and sleep apnoea management all lower arrhythmia burden and future complications.
- • Limit alcohol and stimulants (e.g., some energy drinks) if you notice they trigger episodes; prioritise sleep and hydration.
- • Procedures: A pacemaker treats slow rhythms, a catheter ablation targets circuits, and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) reduces the risk of sudden cardiac episodesin high-risk patients after specialist assessment.
Call emergency services for collapse, severe chest pain, breathlessness, stroke signs, or sustained palpitations. Do not drive yourself, and seek immediate support.
Prevention and Living With Arrhythmia
Living with arrhythmia entails proactive habits. Regular monitoring, heart-healthy daily routines, and trigger avoidance reduce episodes, protect heart function, and help you stay active and heart-healthy in the long term.
- • Regular check-ups and ECGs: Cardiologists track rhythm changes early to guide timely adjustments to treatment and safety.
- • Balanced diet and hydration: Support heart muscle, blood pressure, and electrolyte stability and healthy daily levels.
- • Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine: Limit stimulants that trigger palpitations, sleep disruption, and dehydration episodes.
- • Consume medicines sensibly: Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and anti-arrhythmic drugs control the rate or rhythm. Anticoagulants reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation for safety; however, these medications should be administered by an experienced cardiologist.
- • Manage underlying conditions: Hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnoea, thyroid imbalance; optimise weight, exercise, and cholesterol control through reviews.
- • Prioritise consistent physical activity: Brisk walking or similar moderate activity is encouraged unless advised otherwise.
- • Pace yourself during recovery: After a new diagnosis or procedure, increase intensity stepwise and stop if dizzy, breathless, or unwell.
- • Track patterns: Note links with stress, dehydration, alcohol, or stimulants; address the triggers you can change.
- • Stay active on long trips: Walk and stretch regularly; keep hydrated and avoid excess alcohol.
- • Follow doctor’s recommendations: Adhere to medicines, device checks, and scheduled cardiology follow-ups without gaps.
Conclusion
Arrhythmia is common yet manageable when identified early. Recognising symptoms and arranging timely tests prevents severe outcomes. With modern care, most people live full, active lives. Consult the best cardiologist in Dubai to personalise treatment, optimise therapy, and monitor rhythm and stroke risk over time.
FAQs
1) What is the difference between cardiac arrhythmia, heart attack, and angina?
Arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat (too fast, slow, or irregular). A heart attack is heart muscle damage from a blocked artery. Angina is chest pain from temporary reduced blood flow, not necessarily from permanent damage.
2) How can I improve my quality of life when having arrhythmias?
Identify triggers, prioritise sleep, stay active with guided exercise, limit stimulants, take medicines as prescribed, and attend follow-ups. Cardiac rehabilitation, stress management, and wearable monitors can personalise goals and build confidence.
3) How is arrhythmia treated?
Arrhythmia is treated depending on type and risk: lifestyle changes, medicines (rate/rhythm control, anticoagulation), catheter ablation for curative intent, pacemaker for slow rhythms, and implantable defibrillator for dangerous ventricular rhythms.
4) Which deficiency causes arrhythmia?
Low electrolytes, especially potassium or magnesium, can trigger palpitations or dangerous rhythms. Anaemia and thyroid imbalance also contribute. Never self-supplement heavily; ask your clinician for blood tests and targeted, safe correction.
5) What do heart arrhythmias feel like?
Common sensations include flutters, thumps, racing, pauses, breathlessness, chest pressure, dizziness, or fatigue. Severe symptoms, including fainting, crushing chest pain, sudden weakness or speech trouble, need urgent medical evaluation.
6) What lifestyle changes help manage arrhythmia?
Limit caffeine and alcohol, stop smoking, manage stress, hydrate, maintain a heart-healthy diet, keep a steady sleep schedule, and treat conditions like hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnoea, and thyroid disorders.
7) Can arrhythmia go away on its own?
Some benign premature beats settle once triggers resolve (stress, caffeine). Others, such as atrial fibrillation or significant conduction block, usually persist or recur and need structured evaluation and treatment to prevent complications.
8) Is it safe to exercise with arrhythmia?
Usually, yes—most people benefit from moderate activity unless your clinician advises otherwise. Build up gradually, pay attention to symptoms, hydrate, and stop if dizzy, breathless, faint, or chest pain occurs suddenly.
References
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
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https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/40/3997/6675633
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atrial-fibrillation/
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001101.htm
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003877.htm
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/electrocardiogram/
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