Symptoms of Arrhythmia
Signs Of Irregular Heartbeats

Symptoms of Arrhythmias

Contents

• What Are The Symptoms Of Arrhythmias?
• Ventricular Fibrillation Signs

Guide To Arrhythmias
Heart Arrhythmia

What Are The Symptoms Of Arrhythmias?

An arrhythmia is usually characterized by a racing or pounding heart, especially when the episode occurs during physical exertion or emotional upset. The medical term for a racing heartbeat or a skipped heartbeat is a heart palpitation. A woman with an arrhythmia is most likely to experience it as a palpitation. However because arrhythmias can cause reduced oxygen supply to the brain they may also be accompanied by faintness, blackouts or fatigue.

Common Signs Of Arrhythmias:

• Palpitations: an unpleasant feeling of being aware of your heartbeat.
• An irregular heartbeat.
• A slow heartbeat.
• A feeling of skipping a heartbeat. This can create a fluttering sensation in the neck and chest area.
• Anxiousness.
• Sweating.

More Serious Signs Of Arrhythmias:

When arrhythmias last long enough to affect the heart's ability to pump blood and oxygen to other parts of the body, more serious symptoms can develop:

• Pounding or racing heart.
• Chest pain.
• Dizziness, weakness or lightheadedness.
• Shortness of breath or wheezing.
• Fainting (syncope) or near fainting spells.
• In extreme circumstances, collapse and SCA (sudden cardiac arrest).
• Fatigue.

If you experience any of these symptoms, do be sure to discuss it with your doctor. An early arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious complications in the future. As arrhythmias tend to come and go you may be required to wear a small heart recording device such as a Holter monitor or event monitor for a few days or weeks. These devices record the electrical activity of the heart and the results are later downloaded by technicians and analyzed.

Related Questions:
Why do I feel faint?

Ventricular Fibrillation Signs

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is one of the most deadly types of arrhythmias. It occurs when the electrical impulses in the heart become so erratic that they cause the heart to stop pumping altogether. A person with VF collapses within seconds and their breathing and pulse stop. This is known as sudden cardiac arrest. If this occurs to someone you know, dial 911 instantly. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This can help keep blood flowing to the organs until someone arrives with a portable defibrillator and gives electrical shock to the victim's heart (see automated external defibrillator, AED). AEDs are becoming more frequently available in areas where large amounts of people congregate such as airports, shopping malls and airplanes. Those of particular high risk of VF may consider buying a home defibrillator for personal safety.

Related Articles on Signs of Arrhythmia

For more heart-health, see the following:

• Causes of Arrhythmias
• Arrhythmia Prevention
• Arrhythmia Risk Factors

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