Most people expect their heartbeat to be steady and regular.
When the rhythm suddenly speeds up or feels as though it skips beats, it can be worrying.
Fortunately, many rhythm disturbances are treatable, and some are completely harmless despite the uncomfortable symptoms they cause.
The heart has its own electrical system that tells each heartbeat when to start. If this system sends signals in the wrong way, the heart may beat too fast, too slowly, or irregularly. Doctors call these problems arrhythmias.
Younger adults commonly experience brief episodes of rapid heart rhythm caused by abnormal electrical circuits present from birth. These episodes can begin without warning and may produce pounding heartbeats, dizziness, sweating, anxiety, or fainting before stopping suddenly.
Extra heartbeats are also common. Those starting in the upper chambers are called PACs, while those beginning in the lower chambers are known as PVCs. In most healthy people, they are unpleasant but not dangerous.
Lifestyle factors often play a role. Drinking large amounts of coffee or alcohol, untreated thyroid disease, hormonal changes, and poor sleep may all contribute to abnormal rhythms. Reducing these triggers can sometimes greatly improve symptoms.
If simple lifestyle changes are not enough, doctors may prescribe medicines or recommend catheter ablation. During ablation, specialists guide small catheters into the heart and remove the tiny area responsible for triggering the abnormal rhythm. Most patients recover within a week.
As people grow older, atrial fibrillation becomes much more common. Unlike occasional skipped beats, atrial fibrillation can allow blood to collect inside part of the heart, where clots may form. If one of these clots travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke.
For this reason, many people with atrial fibrillation need blood-thinning medicine even if they undergo successful ablation. People who cannot safely take these medicines may receive a small implant that seals the part of the heart where most clots develop.
Doctors now have several ways to perform ablation. Older methods use heat or freezing, while a newer technology called pulsed field ablation uses short electrical pulses that mainly affect heart muscle. This approach may reduce injury to nearby organs such as the oesophagus and important breathing nerves.
Knowing when to seek medical advice is important. Frequent palpitations, blackouts, chest pain, breathlessness, or symptoms lasting more than a few minutes should always be assessed by a healthcare professional.
This article highlights how treatment for arrhythmias has improved significantly over recent years.
New technologies are making procedures safer while helping more people return to normal daily life. Even so, not every irregular heartbeat requires treatment, and the best approach depends on the exact type of arrhythmia, its cause, and the individual’s overall health.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top foods to love for a stronger heart, and why oranges may help fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about simple guide to a 7-day diabetes meal plan, and why you should add black beans to your plate.
Source: Mayo Clinic.
