Palpitations can be a distressing symptom. We diagnose the underlying cause and offer treatment options to reduce or eliminate these irregular heartbeats.
What Causes Abnormal Heart Rhythms?
Your heart serves as a muscular pump, distributing blood, oxygen, and vital nutrients throughout your body. Ordinarily, its rhythmic beating, controlled by the heart’s electrical system, facilitates this crucial function. In a healthy heart, this electrical system orchestrates a steady rhythm of 60 to 100 beats per minute.
However, disruptions in your heart’s electrical system can give rise to abnormal heart rhythms, known as “arrhythmias.” These disturbances can be attributed to factors such as heart disease, certain medications, or, in some cases, no apparent cause.
Palpitations :
Palpitations refer to the sensation or awareness of your heart’s activity. You might experience your heart racing, thumping, fluttering, pounding, or skipping beats. Palpitations can be triggered by physical activity, emotional stress, ceasing specific medications, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or illicit substances.
While occasional palpitations are generally not a cause for concern, more frequent or consistent palpitations may indicate a serious underlying arrhythmia.
Types of Abnormal Heart Rhythms :
Abnormal heart rhythms encompass various forms. Some may result in occasional skipped beats but do not significantly impact your health or daily life. Conversely, other arrhythmias are severe and can pose life-threatening risks if left untreated.
These rhythms are categorized by their rate and regularity:
Tachycardia : Characterized by a heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute, some forms are treatable and non-life-threatening, while others are potentially dangerous.
Bradycardia : Occurs when the heart beats too slowly, typically less than 60 beats per minute. It becomes serious when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
Other types of abnormal heart rhythms include :
Ectopic heartbeats : Where the heart misses or adds extra beats, originating in either the atria or ventricles.
Long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome : Result in rapid and irregular heartbeats, with the potential to cause fainting or cardiac arrest.
Paroxysmal arrhythmias : These rhythms start and stop suddenly, with episodes that can last for seconds, minutes, hours, or up to a week.
Symptoms of Abnormal Heart Rhythms:
While occasional palpitations during periods of stress are typically normal, an irregular heartbeat may signify an underlying arrhythmia or other heart condition. Symptoms of abnormal heart rhythms can include:
Seek immediate medical attention (call Triple Zero – 000) if palpitations are accompanied by the following warning signs:
Chest discomfort (pressure, heaviness, tightness) radiating to the neck, jaw, arms, back, or shoulders Nausea, cold sweats, dizziness, and shortness of breath lasting over 10 minutes.
Causes and Triggers of Abnormal Heart Rhythms:
Several conditions can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, including heart attacks, congenital heart disease, coronary heart disease, diabetes, heart failure, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnoea, structural heart abnormalities (e.g., cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease, or scarring from a prior heart attack), thyroid problems, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Common triggers of abnormal heart rhythms include alcohol, caffeine, nicotine (in cigarettes or e-cigarettes), unrelated illnesses such as cold or flu, recreational drugs, certain medications (both over-the-counter and prescription), stress (physical or emotional), and fatigue.
Consult your doctor if you suspect that your medication is causing an abnormal rhythm. Never discontinue prescription medication without consulting your healthcare provider. If certain types of exercise appear to provoke an abnormal heart rhythm, seek advice from your doctor before avoiding physical activity.
Diagnosing Abnormal Heart Rhythms:
If you experience symptoms indicative of an abnormal heart rhythm, such as palpitations, consult your doctor. Diagnostic methods may include a physical examination, blood tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG) to record your heart’s rate and rhythm, an echocardiogram to assess your heart’s valves and chambers, electrophysiology studies to investigate your heart’s electrical activity, tilt tests to identify rhythm triggers associated with different body positions, and other diagnostic tools.
Treatment for Abnormal Heart Rhythms:
Treatment for an abnormal rhythm is determined by its cause and the extent to which it affects your health and daily life. It’s important to note that not all abnormal rhythms are dangerous or life-threatening.
Available treatments for abnormal heart rhythms include:
Medications to stabilize heart rhythm or address underlying conditions causing arrhythmia
Electrical cardioversion, which involves administering a mild electrical current to restore normal heart rhythm
Catheter ablation, a procedure where a catheter with an electrode disrupts or deactivates the area of the heart generating abnormal electrical signals
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator, a device that monitors and corrects dangerous heart rhythms
Pacemaker, a small electronic device that stimulates the heart to maintain regular rhythm
Surgery to remove or deactivate malfunctioning heart areas
Defibrillation, using a mild electrical current to reset heart rhythm, typically performed in emergencies.
Living with an Abnormal Heart Rhythm:
If you’ve received a diagnosis of an abnormal heart rhythm, it’s natural to have concerns about its seriousness and implications for your future. You may also experience a range of emotions such as fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and low mood.
To effectively manage your condition, consider:
Identifying triggers of your abnormal heart rhythm
Adhering to prescribed medications
Making healthy lifestyle adjustments, including stress management, smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol consumption, adoption of a heart-healthy diet, and maintaining an active lifestyle
Monitoring and managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Maintaining a healthy body weight.
If you’re grappling with emotional challenges, discuss your concerns with your doctor and seek support from loved ones.
115 Frankston – Flinders Rd
Frankston VIC 3199
The following transport lines have routes that pass near Frankston-Flinders Rd / Golf Links Rd (Frankston South)
Bus: 775, 776, 782, 783, 791
T: (03) 9783 3684
F: (03) 9770 0325
info@southerncardiology.com.au
Southern Cardiology Group
115 Frankston – Flinders Rd
Frankston VIC 3199
Mon: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Tue: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Wed: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Thu: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
Public Holidays: Closed
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