Heart arrhythmia

Heart arrhythmia is a condition in which the heartbeat is irregular, too fast, or too slow.

1 May 2021 | 5 Min. Reading Time

Overview

Heart arrhythmia is a condition in which the heartbeat is irregular, too fast, or too slow. This reduces the amount of blood in your body, which can cause dizziness or even unconsciousness. Symptoms may include a pause between heartbeats or a racing heart, in which case a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

Rapid heartbeats or a pause between heartbeats
Heart rate stops

Other symptoms

Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Pain / pressure in chest
Short period of unconsciousness (fainting)
Heart attack and circulatory arrest

Causes and treatment

Causes

Heart diseases (e.g. heart attack, heart valve defect, etc.)
High blood pressure
Over- or underactive thyroid
Lung diseases (e.g. lung embolism)
Some medication and anti-depressants
Nicotine, alcohol and drugs
Blood salt imbalance (e.g. potassium)
Stress

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

Blood test (blood salt levels, signs of a heart attack)
ECG (electrocardiogram)
Physical performance test (on bicycle)
Ultrasound (echocardiogram)
Chest x-ray

Possible therapies

Blood thinning (anticoagulation)
Medication (against arrhythmia)
Defibrillation (“electric shock”)
Heart catheter (thin tube inserted in an artery and threaded through the blood vessels to the heart)
Pacemaker
Operation (e.g. for heart valve disease)