Arrhythmia

 

What Is an Arrhythmia?

Your heart beats because of tiny electrical signals that tell it when to squeeze and pump blood.

In a healthy heart, those signals fire in perfect rhythm — like a metronome.
But if something interrupts the signals, your heartbeat can become:

  • Too fast → called tachycardia

  • Too slow → called bradycardia

  • Irregular or fluttery → called fibrillation

❤️ Common Types of Arrhythmias

  1. Atrial Fibrillation (AFib):

    • Upper chambers (atria) beat irregularly and too fast.

    • Blood may not flow properly, increasing the risk of clots.

  2. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT):

    • The heart suddenly starts beating very fast — sometimes over 150 beats per minute!

  3. Ventricular Tachycardia:

    • Starts in the lower chambers (ventricles) and can be dangerous if untreated.

  4. Bradycardia:

    • The heart beats too slowly, often under 60 beats per minute.

⚠️ Symptoms to Watch For

  • Feeling like your heart is racing, skipping, or pounding 

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

  • Shortness of breath 

  • Chest discomfort or pain

  • Fatigue or fainting spells

Sometimes, arrhythmias don’t cause any symptoms — that’s why checkups and ECGs (electrocardiograms) are so important!

💉 What Causes It?

Arrhythmias can happen for lots of reasons, such as:

  • Stress or intense emotions 

  • Too much caffeine or energy drinks 

  • Heart disease or high blood pressure

  • Electrolyte imbalances (like low potassium)

  • Genetics or certain medications

Even teens can experience arrhythmias, especially if they’re active in sports or drink lots of stimulants.

🩺 How It’s Diagnosed

Doctors use tools like:

  • ECG/EKG: measures your heart’s electrical activity

  • Holter monitor: a wearable device that records heartbeats over 24–48 hours

  • Echocardiogram: an ultrasound that checks heart structure

💊 Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type and cause of the arrhythmia. It may include:

  • Medication: to control heart rate or rhythm

  • Lifestyle changes: managing stress, reducing caffeine, exercising safely

  • Ablation therapy: a small procedure that removes faulty heart tissue causing irregular signals

  • Pacemaker: a tiny device that helps your heart beat steadily 

🌿 Living with an Arrhythmia

Most people can live full, healthy lives with treatment and care. The key is to:

  • Keep up with checkups

  • Manage stress

  • Stay active (as approved by a doctor)

  • Avoid excess caffeine and energy drinks

  • Listen to your body 

 Recap

  • Arrhythmia = irregular heartbeat caused by faulty electrical signals

  • Can be too fast, too slow, or irregular

  • Causes include stress, heart disease, or imbalanced electrolytes

  • Treatments include meds, ablation, or pacemakers

  • Most people live normal lives with proper care 


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