When your heart races when you’re sitting still or you feel like you’re going to pass out after a sudden movement, you may have a heart condition called arrhythmia. Also known as an irregular heartbeat, arrhythmia is caused by interruptions in the electrical impulses that regulate blood flow. If you think you have arrhythmia, see your primary care provider before it possibly causes a more serious condition.
Cardiac arrhythmia is any change to the normal electrical impulses in your heart. This can cause your heart to beat too fast, too slowly or with an irregular pattern. When the heart doesn’t pump in a regular, coordinated pattern, blood clots may develop, leading to a possible heart attack or stroke. Causes of arrhythmia include:
Arrhythmias can even be triggered by activities or stress from everyday life, such as exercise, strong emotions, sleep problems and sudden movements or noises.
There are various types of arrhythmia conditions that affect different people of all ages. Below are the different types:
Your CHRISTUS Health physician will refer you to a cardiologist to diagnose a possible arrhythmia. They may study your heartbeat with one of these methods:
Arrhythmia treatments are designed to restore your heartbeat to a normal range, prevent blood clots and treat underlying diseases. Your cardiologist may approach treatment in one or more of the following ways:
