Heart arrhythmias

An arrhythmia is a heart condition where your heart does not beat normally. Your heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly (not in a regular pattern). This usually happens because of a problem with the electrical signals that control how your heart beats.

Arrhythmias can affect people in different ways. 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

Doctors classify arrhythmias by:

• where the faulty signals come from in your heart
• how fast your heart rate is
• whether your heartbeat is irregular or not

Ectopic heartbeat

An ectopic heartbeat is when your heart misses a beat or adds an extra beat. It may feel like your heart 'skips' a beat or you may feel a sudden, extra strong beat. Ectopic beats are common and usually harmless.

Supraventricular arrhythmia

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' or ‘flutter’ instead of beating normally. This can stop your heart from pumping blood to your body effectively.

Ventricular arrhythmia

Ventricular arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats caused by faulty signals in the lower part of the heart, the 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 have symptoms with bradycardia usually do not need emergency treatment.

If you have a heart arrhythmia, you may experience:

• palpitations — it may like feel your heart is racing, skipping beats or fluttering in your chest
• chest pain
• fatigue, light-headedness or dizziness
• fainting
• shortness of breath
• sweating

You may also feel some anxiety, which may be due to your heart arrhythmia or as an emotional response to your palpitations.

Many people with heart arrhythmias have no symptoms.

Heart arrhythmias can be caused by heart conditions, general health conditions or your lifestyle.

Heart problems that can cause heart arrhythmias include:

• coronary heart disease
• abnormal heart valves
• cardiomyopathy
• high blood pressure

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 obesity

Lifestyle factors that can increase your risk of developing a heart arrhythmia include:

• smoking
• heavy alcohol use
• drug use
• too much caffeine

If it's not an emergency, see your doctor if you think 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.

If you need to see your doctor but cannot wait for an appointment, you may be able to get treatment at a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

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
• feel short of breath
• have pain in your chest

Your doctor may diagnose a heart arrhythmia by:

• asking you about your symptoms and medical history
• examining you, 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 tests such as:

• ECG (electrocardiogram)
• Holter monitor (Opens in new tab) — a portable device that you wear for 24 hours or longer to record your heart rhythm continuously
• echocardiogram — an ultrasound procedure that shows how your heart is working
• a stress test (Opens in new tab) — a test that measures how well your heart works during exercise
• electrophysiology studies — tests that look at the electrical activity in your heart

Treatment for heart arrhythmia depends on the type of arrhythmia, how it is affecting your health and your medical history. Treatment may aim to control symptoms or prevent complications such as stroke.

Treatment to control symptoms includes:

• medicines to slow down your heart rate (for example, beta-blockers)
• medicines to restore a normal heart rhythm
• 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 — a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

Treatment to prevent complications may include blood thinning medicines if you have an increased risk of having a stroke. 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.

Complications depend on the type of heart arrhythmia and may include:

• stroke
• heart failure
• cardiac arrest and sudden death

Some types of heart arrhythmias can't be prevented, but you can lower your chance of developing others by living a heart-healthy lifestyle.

If you are at least 45 years of age (or 30 if you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person), ask your doctor for a heart health check. You should be re-checked every 2 years, or every year as part of your annual health check.

If you know you have heart problems, it is important to:

• take your medicines and treatments as your doctor prescribes
• report any symptoms you notice to your doctor

Here are some tips to help reduce your risk of heart disease:

• Maintain a healthy weight and waist circumference.
• Keep physically active.
• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
• Quit smoking.
• Reduce your alcohol use.
• Manage your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure
• Get enough sleep.

Learn more about heart arrhythmias (Opens in new tab) on the Heart Foundation website.

Visit the Heart Foundation webpage for more information about keeping your heart healthy (Opens in new tab).

Languages other than English

The Heart Foundation has a selection of heart health information brochures (Opens in new tab) in a range of community languages.

If you need an interpreter, ask your doctor or call the Translating and Interpreting Service (Opens in new tab) (TIS National) on 131 450.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

St Vincent's Hospital (Opens in new tab) offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heart health information.

The Heart Foundation has information on healthy eating (Opens in new tab) for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.