How to spot a heart rhythm problem
Keep reading to learn more about why the rhythm of the heart is so important and how to spot the potential signs of an arrhythmia at home.
What is a heart rhythm problem?
They are typically the result of electrical ‘short circuits’ inside our heart muscle that disrupt the normal flow of electricity through the heart, causing the normal rhythm or ‘beat’ to change.
Common heart rhythm conditions
Currently, the most common heart rhythm condition is ‘atrial fibrillation’.
Irregular and rapid heart rhythms can be indicators of this condition, which can lead to blood clots in the heart and increase your risk of stroke or heart failure.
Can they occur naturally?
In some cases, an irregularity in our heartbeat isn’t a sign of a serious problem. A ‘healthy’ irregular heartbeat can be a result of something we call ‘extra heartbeats’, which are also known as ‘ectopic heartbeats’. These can usually be treated by limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake, giving up smoking, and introducing more exercise into your daily life.
An irregular heartbeat can also be caused by variations in your heart rate due to breathing movements, also known as ‘sinus arrhythmia’. Sinus arrhythmia never requires any treatment.
Who do they affect?
People most prone to heart rhythm complications are people over the age of 60 and individuals suffering from other heart-related health issues like hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease or heart failure.
Spotting the signs and symptoms
The most common symptoms of a heart rhythm problem include:
- Inappropriate palpitations
- Feeling breathless
- Chest pain
Since heart palpitations are quite common and aren’t necessarily a sign of an underlying issue, they’re often ignored as an initial sign of a heart rhythm condition.
This is why we always recommend booking an appointment with your GP or cardiologist if you experience any of these symptoms or have any concerns about the health of your heart.
How to manage a heart rhythm disorder
This depends on the problem and the severity of it. As a general rule, we recommend improving your lifestyle by:
- Building more physical movement into your routine
- Assessing and improving your diet
- Drinking plenty of water throughout the day
- Limiting your alcohol intake
- Reducing or quitting smoking completely
- Improving the quality of your sleep
The danger of leaving things untreated
As previously mentioned, not all heart rhythm problems are dangerous and you can lead a healthy life with one if it’s kept in check.
However, if certain heart problems go untreated, they can increase your chances of heart failure or of having a stroke. That’s why all symptoms, no matter how small or big, should be assessed by a cardiologist.
When to see a professional
If heart rhythm problems persist after you’ve made some lifestyle changes, it’s vital you seek professional help.
Depending on the type of heart rhythm problem you are experiencing, your cardiologist might recommend you undergo further treatment. This could be a simple solution like taking medication, or a procedure called catheter ablation. This involves inserting wires into the heart using the veins at the top of the leg and treating the short circuits with an electrical current or by freezing them.
They might also recommend the insertion of a pacemaker, or an ‘implantable cardioverter defibrillator’ also called an ‘ICD’.
Last updated Wednesday 28 August 2024
First published on Wednesday 28 August 2024