Irregular heart rhythm, medically known as arrhythmia, results from problems with the electrical signals coordinating the beating of your heart. Sometimes arrhythmia can be a harmless fluctuation, while other times it may be a symptom of a serious, life-threatening condition.
Cardiologist César R. Molina, M.D., FACC, regularly deals with arrhythmia cases both mild and serious at his Mountain View, California, practice. Dr. Molina and his team can diagnose and treat your irregular heart rhythm.
The first thing to understand about irregular heart rhythms is that they don't have a single pattern. The first classification of arrhythmias divides types into two: tachycardia, or a fast heartbeat, and bradycardia, which is a slow heartbeat.
Tachycardia usually features heart rates over 100 beats per minute (bpm) while bradycardia rates are less than 60 bpm. It’s possible to have a heartbeat in these parameters that isn’t arrhythmia though.
Tachycardia has several types, including:
Bradycardia involves a slow heart rate that also causes your heart to pump blood inadequately. It’s possible to have a resting heart rate lower than 60 bpm but without effects on blood efficiency.
Bradycardia conditions include:
Premature heartbeats are another arrhythmia that, generally speaking, don’t cause health problems. This issue produces the feeling of a skipped or extra heartbeat, originating from either your upper or lower heart chambers.
If you feel abnormal heart rhythms in conjunction with symptoms including chest pain, fainting, or shortness of breath, you have a potential medical emergency. Call 911 immediately.
When an arrhythmia is noticeable but with few other symptoms, it’s still important to check in with a specialist like Dr. Molina. Additional testing will identify your condition, upon which treatment depends.
Generally, tachycardia can be treated with medication to control your heart rate and rhythm. Patients with atrial fibrillation may receive blood thinners to reduce their risk of developing blood clots.
Vagus nerve exercises include some specific, though simple, actions known to slow your heart rate by stimulating your vagus nerve. These can be effective for some types of tachycardia.
Cardioversion is an electrical treatment using small energy pulses to reset and regulate your heart rate for some types of arrhythmia, including AFib.
Surgical solutions for irregular heartbeats include:
Depending on the type of arrhythmia and treatment, you may need more frequent checkups to monitor your condition over time.
Contact us today or use our online tool to request a consultation. Your heart health is crucial, so schedule your consultation today.
