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Heart arrhythmias
8-minute read
If your heart is beating in an unusual way and you are concerned, go immediately to your nearest emergency department or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Key facts
- Heart arrhythmia is when your heart beats abnormally — either too fast, too slow or irregularly.
- Heart arrhythmias can be caused by a conditions that affect the heart or from excessive alcohol, smoking or drug use.
- Symptoms can include chest pain, fainting, sweating, shortness of breath and anxiety.
- Treatment can include medicines, catheter ablation, electrical cardioversion and implantable devices.
- Complications of heart arrhythmias are heart failure, increased risk of stroke or death.
What are heart arrhythmias?
An arrhythmia is a heart condition where your heart beats abnormally. Your heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. This usually happens because of a problem with the electrical signals that control how your heart beats.
Arrythmias have a range of outcomes. Some arrhythmias:
- are life-threatening and need urgent treatment
- can be managed well with support from your doctor
- are a symptom of an underlying condition that needs treatment
What are some types of heart arrhythmias?
Arrhythmias are classified by:
- where the faulty signals come from in your heart
- how fast your heart rate is
- whether your heartbeat is irregular or not
Ectopic beats
An ectopic heartbeat is when your heart misses a beat or adds an extra beat. You may notice your heart 'skipping' a beat or feel a sudden, extra strong beat. Ectopic beats are common and usually harmless.
Supraventricular arrhythmias
Supraventricular arrhythmias are caused by faulty signals in your atria, the upper chambers of your heart. They usually cause a fast and irregular heartbeat that starts suddenly.
The most common type is atrial fibrillation — when the atria 'quiver' instead of beating normally. This stops your heart from pumping blood to your body effectively.
Ventricular arrhythmias
Ventricular arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats caused by faulty signals in the lower part of the heart, in your ventricles. These are serious and require immediate medical attention.
Bradyarrhythmia
Bradyarrhythmia (also known as bradycardia) is when your heart beats less than 60 times per minute. Some people, such as young, fit people, may have slow resting heart rates that don't cause any problems.
People who do not experience symptoms with bradycardia usually do not need emergency treatment.
What are the symptoms of heart arrhythmias?
If you have a heart arrhythmia, you may experience:
- palpitations — you may feel your heart is racing, skipping beats or fluttering in your chest
- chest pains
- fatigue, light-headedness or dizziness
- fainting
- shortness of breath
- sweating
- anxiety
Many people with heart arrhythmias have no symptoms.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
When should I call an ambulance or go to the emergency department?
You should call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if you feel your heart is beating in an unusual way and you:
- feel dizzy or light-headed
- faint
- feeling short of breath
- have pain in your chest
What should I do if I don't need emergency healthcare?
If it's not an emergency, see your doctor if you suspect you have a heart arrhythmia.
It's normal not to notice your heartbeat, so if you feel that your heart is beating irregularly, too fast or too slowly, you should see your doctor.
What causes heart arrhythmias?
Heart arrhythmias can be caused by heart conditions, general health conditions or your lifestyle.
Heart problems that can cause heart arrhythmias include:
Other health conditions that can cause heart arrhythmias include:
- thyroid problems
- obstructive sleep apnoea
- some medicines
- genetic conditions — Brugada syndrome, Long QT syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- living with overweight or obesity
Lifestyle factors that can increase your risk of developing a heart arrhythmia include:
How are heart arrhythmias diagnosed?
Your doctor may diagnose you with a heart arrhythmia by:
- asking you about your symptoms and medical history
- examining your body, including listening to your heart
- referring you for medical tests to confirm a heart arrhythmia and rule out other conditions
Your doctor may refer you for test such as:
- ECG (electrocardiogram)
- Holter Monitor — a portable device that you wear for 24 hours or longer to continuously monitor your heart rhythm
- echocardiogram — an ultrasound procedure where your doctor looks at your heart
- chest x-ray, blood or urine tests
- a stress test — measures how well your heart performs during exercise
- electrophysiology studies — looks at how your heart conducts electrical activity
- heart catheterisation
How are heart arrhythmias treated?
Treatment for heart arrhythmia depends on the type of arrhythmia, how it is affecting your health and your medical history. Treatment may include:
- medicines — medicines to slow down your heart rate (e.g. beta-blockers), normalise your heart rhythm or blood thinning medicines, if you are at risk of having a stroke
- electrical cardioversion — an electric shock to your chest under general anaesthesia to correct your heart's rhythm
- catheter ablation — a procedure where your doctor targets the area in your heart causing the abnormal heart rhythm
- implantable devices — pacemaker or implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD)
Your treatment may aim to re-establish a normal heart rhythm or minimise the risk of complications, depending on your situation. Your doctor will also consider treatment of any medical conditions that are contributing to your heart arrhythmia.
Some heart arrhythmias are harmless and do not need to be treated.
What are the complications of heart arrhythmias?
Complications depend on the type of heart arrhythmia and may include:
- stroke
- heart failure
- cardiac arrest and sudden death
Can heart arrhythmias be prevented?
Some types of heart arrhythmias can't be prevented, but you can reduce your chance of developing others by living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
If you are at least 45 years of age (or 35 if you are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander), ask your doctor for a heart health check. You should be re-checked every 2 years.
If you know you have heart problems, it is important to:
- Take your medicines and treatments as prescribed.
- Be aware of any symptoms and report them to your doctor.
Here are some tips to help reduce your risk of heart disease:
- Maintain a healthy body weight and waist circumference.
- Keep physically active.
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
- Quit smoking.
- Reduce your alcohol intake.
- Manage your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
- Get enough sleep.
Read about a healthy heart diet.
Read about cardiovascular exercise.
Read about the physical activity guidelines for older people.
Resources and support
- Learn more about heart arrhythmias on the Heart Foundation website.
- Visit the Heart Foundation webpage for more information about keeping your heart healthy.
- Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice.
Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?
The Heart Foundation has a selection of heart health information brochures in a range of languages.
Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?
Her Heart has information about heart health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
St Vincent's Hospital offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heart health information.