Arrhythmia is the medical term of an abnormal heart rhythm. It means the heart is beating too fast, too slow or beating in an irregular or abnormal pattern. Many people living with arrhythmia look for treatment to cure the condition and there are different options available.
The human heart has its own electrical system which tells it when to beat and pump blood around the body. If there is a problem with the electrical system of the heart, then arrhythmia is often the outcome.
Symptoms of Arrhythmia
The symptoms of abnormal heart rhythms do depend on the kind of arrhythmia you are experiencing. The most common symptoms you might experience are:
- Thumping or fluttering sensations in the chest (palpitations)
- Breathlessness
- Loss of consciousness/fainting
- Unexplainable tiredness
- Dizziness
Many of these symptoms are indicative of different conditions too so seeking medical help to see what the problem actually is, is absolutely essential.
Do you need Treatment for your Abnormal Heart Rhythms?
Some people live with abnormal heart rhythms with no symptoms or disruption to their every day life. It is perfectly natural for the heart to beat differently, at different rates, dependent on conditions. When you are resting, it will be more slowly and when you are active or exercising, for example, it will speed up considerably.
Many people experience palpitations and don’t find them alarming or consider them a problem. They are often harmless. However, they can be unpleasant and worrying. You may also experience the feeling your heart has skipped or missed a beat or that there has been an extra beat (ectopic beat). Both these experiences are normal and harmless too so don’t usually need treatment. Contact a medical professional if you experience the following:
- Drawn out, long periods of palpitations that do not improve
- Dizziness or faintness alongside palpitations
- Real concern or worry about the palpitations
If you have a personal or family history of heart problems, you should definitely be sure to contact your doctor too.
If you want to make an appointment with Dr Begley to discuss any concerns about heart rhythm abnormalities, you should phone or email his secretary directly. Dr Begley’s private secretary Ruth Littlechild can be contacted on 01223 850 423 or via ruth@drbegleycardiology.co.uk.