What is Arrhythmia?

An arrhythmia is an abnormal rhythm of the heart. It may feel like a temporary pause and be so brief that it doesn't change your overall heart rate. Or it can cause the heart rate to be too slow.

There are two basic kinds of arrhythmias. Bradycardia is when the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute. Tachycardia is when the heart rate is more than 100 beats per minute. More than half a million people go into the hospital for arrhythmias each year.

What are the Signs of Arrhythmia?

• When it's very brief, an arrhythmia can have almost no symptoms. It can feel like a skipped heartbeat that you barely notice.
• It also may fell like a fluttering in the chest or neck.
• When arrhythmias last long enough to affect how well the heart works, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. This can cause you to feel tired or lightheaded or may make you pass out. It can also cause death.
• Tachycardia can reduce the heart's ability to pump, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness. If severe, it can also cause heart attack or death.

How are Arrhythmias Treated?

Before treatment, it's important for the doctor to know where an arrhythmia starts in the heart and whether it's abnormal. An electrocardiogram (graphic record of electrical impulses made by the heart) is often used to diagnose arrhythmias. Other ways are treadmill tests and electrophysiological studies ("mapping" the electrical system of your heart). Treatment may include:

• Medicine
• Anticoagulants to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke
• temporary pacemaker that uses batteries to help your heart beat more regularly
• Cardiac defibrillation
• Cardiac ablation

What is Defibrillation?

• A way of returning an abnormally fast heartbeat to normal with a very brief electric shock.
• An implantable defibrillator may be placed under the skin of the abdomen to give shocks and/or work as a pacemaker. It knows when the heartbeat isn't normal and works 24 hours a day.

What is an Ablation?

• It's a way to fix an arrhythmia and get your heart to beat the right way.
• It's done by putting a catheter in your vein. The tip of the catheter can be used as a heater and goes to the "short circuit" in the heart muscle to fix it with a tiny burn. You won't feel the burn and it won't hurt you heart.

How can I Learn More?

• Talk to your doctor, nurse or health care professional.
• If you have heart disease, members of your family may also be at higher risk. It's very important for them to make changes now to lower their risk.

Disclaimer
Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright.
This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. For more health advice call Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Alberta, call Toll-free: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)