Signs and Symptoms
Some abnormal heart rhythms can happen without the person knowing it, while some may cause a feeling of the heart “racing,” lightheadedness, or dizziness. At some point in life, many adults Rapid Heartbeat – Tachycardia have had short-lived heart rhythm When the heart beats too quickly changes that are not serious. (usually above 100 beats per minute), the lower chambers, or Certain heart rhythms, especially ventricles, do not have enough time those that last long enough to af - to fill with blood, so they cannot ef - fect the heart’s function, can be fectively pump blood to the rest of serious or even deadly. the body. When this happens, some Palpitation or Skipped Beat people have symptoms such as:
Although it may seem as if the Skipping a beat Slow Heartbeat – Bradycardia heart missed a beat, it has really had an early heartbeat — an extra If the heartbeat is too slow (usually Beating out of rhythm below 60 beats per minute), not beat that happens before the heart Palpitations has a chance to fill with blood. enough blood carrying oxygen Fast or racing heartbeat Therefore the squeeze is empty flows through the body. The symptoms of a slow heartbeat are: and results in a pause. Shortness of breath Fatigue (feeling tired) Fluttering Chest pain A fluttering sensation (like butter - Dizziness Dizziness flies in the chest) is usually due to Lightheadedness extra or “skipped beats” that occur Lightheadedness Fainting or near fainting one right after the other, or may be Fainting or near fainting caused by other kinds of abnormal heart rhythms.
did you A woman’s heart typically beats faster than a man’s. The heart of an average man beats approximately know 70 times a minute, whereas the average woman has a heart rate of 78 beats per minute. Bradycardia is a slow heartbeat of below 60 beats per minute, which can be normal.
Chaotic, quivering, or Sweating Electrical Signals irregular rhythm Nausea (feeling sick to one’s Every heart has an electrical sys - Sudden rapid, irregular, and stomach) and/or vomiting tem. The sinus node, often called chaotic heartbeats may be a sign the heart’s natural pacemaker, sets Stomach ache/abdominal of a common heart rhythm prob - the rate for the heart. discomfort lem called atrial fibrillation (AFib). The atrioventricular (AV) node In rare cases, passing out or fainting Heart palpitations sends signals from the upper may be caused by the most dan - Headache chambers (atria) to the lower gerous arrhythmia, ventricular chambers (ventricles). fibrillation (VF). VF is the number Confusion and/or difficulty speaking clearly or coherently one cause of sudden cardiac A problem in the sinus node, AV (not making any sense) death. Within seconds, the person node, or anywhere along the elec - loses consciousness and, without Fainting – Syncope trical path can interrupt the regular immediate emergency treatment, Fainting from a heart rhythm disor - heartbeat and cause an arrhythmia . will die within minutes. der is more likely to happen sud - The heartbeat can become too fast or too slow and can be chaotic or Almost Fainting – Presyncope denly and without warning than regular. Symptoms vary based on Sometimes people have symptoms fainting from other causes, such as the rhythm change. before they faint. Presyncope can dehydration or low blood sugar. be a sign of a heart rhythm disor - Any sudden loss of consciousness der and should be evaluated care - should be evaluated by a doctor. fully. Symptoms include: In some cases, fainting is the only warning sign of a dangerous heart Dizziness, lightheadedness, or rhythm that could cause sudden vertigo (spinning) cardiac death. Blurred or narrowed (tunnel) vision