Published Feb. 9, 2018 , Updated Feb. 9, 2018 Show
Pay attention to your heartbeatPeople say, “My heart skipped a beat,” when they’re scared or excited. But an irregular heartbeat is actually much more common than you’d think. “An irregular heartbeat is called an arrhythmia,” says Dr. Pugazhendhi Vijayaraman, cardiac electrophysiologist and director of cardiac electrophysiology at Geisinger Northeast. “There are many different types, which can be temporary or permanent. Often, arrhythmias are harmless; however, if you feel a persistent irregular heartbeat, see a doctor.” One type of arrhythmia, a premature ventricular contraction, or PVC, is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. A PVC happens when the heart beats too early, which causes a stronger second beat. This causes a fluttering or pounding sensation in the chest. Most people have at least one PVC every day, and many don’t even notice it. Things like caffeine, alcohol and stress can cause small, temporary arrhythmias like PVCs. But there are factors that can cause permanent arrhythmias, too. Here are four potential causes of a persistent, irregular heartbeat:
When to see a doctorWhile PVCs are normally harmless, certain types of arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation (VFib), can lead to cardiac arrest and heart attack. VFib can paralyze the heart—making it unable to pump blood. If left untreated, VFib can lead to cardiac arrest. If you feel a persistent irregular heartbeat, your doctor can help diagnose the type of arrhythmia and monitor your heart. They may refer you to an Electrophysiology (EP) lab, where they can test, diagnose and treat arrhythmias. Get emergency medical attention if you experience dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath and pain in your chest. These symptoms could be a sign of a severe arrhythmia and heart attack. Similarly, if you notice numbness on one side of your body, confusion, facial drooping and muscular weakness, these symptoms could be a sign of a stroke. Next steps:Meet Pugazhendhi Vijayaraman, MD Learn about heart care at Geisinger
Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. A normal heart rate should be regular and between 60 and 100 beats a minute when you're resting. You can measure your heart rate by checking your pulse in your wrist or
neck. In atrial fibrillation, the heart rate is irregular and can sometimes be very fast. In some cases, it can be considerably higher than 100 beats a minute. This can cause problems including dizziness, shortness
of breath and tiredness. You may be aware of noticeable heart palpitations, where your heart feels like it's pounding, fluttering or beating irregularly, often for a few seconds or, in some cases, a few minutes. Sometimes atrial fibrillation does not cause any symptoms and a person who has it is completely unaware that their heart rate
is irregular. See a GP or call 111 if: It's important to get medical advice to make sure it's nothing serious. Urgent advice: Call 999 if:You have sudden chest pain that:
You could be having a heart attack. Call 999 immediately as you need immediate treatment in hospital. What causes atrial fibrillation?When the heart beats normally, its muscular walls tighten and squeeze (contract) to force blood out and around the body. They then relax so the heart can fill with blood again. This process is repeated every time the heart beats. In atrial fibrillation, the heart's upper chambers (atria) contract randomly and sometimes so fast that the heart muscle cannot relax properly between contractions. This reduces the heart's efficiency and performance. Atrial fibrillation happens when abnormal electrical impulses suddenly start firing in the atria. These impulses override the heart's natural pacemaker, which can no longer control the rhythm of the heart. This causes you to have a highly irregular pulse rate. The cause is not fully understood, but it tends to affect certain groups of people, such as older people and people living with long-term (chronic) conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or obesity. It may be triggered by certain situations, such as drinking too much alcohol or smoking. Atrial fibrillation can be defined in various ways, depending on the degree to which it affects you. For example:
Who's affectedAtrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disturbance, affecting around 1.4 million people in the UK. It can affect adults of any age, but it's more common in older people. More men than women have atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is more likely to occur in people with other conditions, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), atherosclerosis or a heart valve problem. Information: Social care and support guideIf you:
Our guide to care and support explains your options and where you can get support. Treating atrial fibrillationAtrial fibrillation is not usually life threatening, but it can be uncomfortable and often requires treatment. Treatment may involve:
Atrial flutterAtrial flutter is less common than atrial fibrillation, but shares the same symptoms, causes and possible complications. Some people with atrial flutter also have atrial fibrillation. Atrial flutter is similar to atrial fibrillation, but the rhythm in the atria is more organised and less chaotic than the abnormal patterns caused by atrial fibrillation. Treatment for atrial flutter is also slightly different. Catheter ablation is considered to be the best treatment for atrial flutter, whereas medicine is often the first treatment used for atrial fibrillation. Page last reviewed: 17 May 2021 What causes irregular heartbeat on blood pressure monitor?Things that can cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) include: Current heart attack or scarring from a previous heart attack. Blocked arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) Changes to the heart's structure, such as from cardiomyopathy.
How accurate is irregular heartbeat on blood pressure monitor?In summary, the device has a diagnostic accuracy of 87.88% with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 84.8%.
What should I do if my blood pressure machine shows an irregular heartbeat?Go immediately to the doctor if you have additional symptoms with your irregular heartbeat or you've had a heart attack or other heart stress. According to Dr. Hummel, those symptoms include fainting, dizziness, chest pain, swelling in your leg or shortness of breath.
When should I be worried about an irregular heartbeat?An occasional abnormal heartbeat is not cause for serious concern. However, if symptoms last for long periods of time, are significant or come back time and again, it's important to seek medical attention. “If you have fainting, swelling in your leg, shortness of breath—seek medical attention right away,” Dr.
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