Laurence Epstein, MD | | Other Cardiology Q & A Topics:
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What happens during a heartbeat?
The human heart beats roughly 100,000 times a day, pumping blood through its chambers to the rest of the body. Over a lifetime, that corresponds to more than 2.5 billion heartbeats. A heartbeat is triggered by an electrical impulse that signals the heart's chambers – the upper chambers (atria) and the lower chambers (ventricles) – to contract at the proper time. Many people, however, have abnormal heart rhythms caused by cardiovascular disease, resulting in abnormally fast or abnormally slow heartbeats called arrhythmias.
Can you tell us more about arrhythmias?
Arrhythmias are abnormal beats of the heart – heartbeats that are too slow or too fast or produce extra beats, skipped beats or beats coming from abnormal areas of the heart. Arrhythmias are sometimes referred to as heart palpitations, rapid heart beats or irregular heart beats. Fortunately, through research and treatment advances, we are able to effectively treat most cardiac rhythm disturbances.
Are there different types of arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)?
Yes, there are. The most common type, affecting more than two million Americans, is atrial fibrillation (afib). Afib occurs when the upper chambers of the heart, the atria, quiver rapidly and irregularly due to chaotic electrical activity. Afib is typically not life threatening, but it can compromise a patient’s quality-of-life through a wide range of symptoms, including palpitations, fatigue and shortness-of-breath.Ventricular fibrillation, a very rapid arrhythmia of the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart), is believed to be the single leading cause of sudden cardiac deaths in the United States. Another type of unusually fast heartbeat (but less rapid than ventricular fibrillation) is called tachycardia, which is most often due to an electrical short circuit in the heart. A bradychardia, on the other hand, is an abnormally slow heartbeat.
What are the symptoms of arrhythmia?
Some of the more noticeable symptoms of arrhythmia include fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a sensation of your heart fluttering, missing a beat, or having an extra beat. However, it is important to note that not all arrhythmias have noticeable symptoms.
How are arrhythmias diagnosed?
There are several types of tests that doctors use to determine whether a patient has an irregular heartbeat. An electrocardiogram (EKG) is one of the more commonly used methods for analyzing a patient’s heartbeat. Electrodes attached to the patient’s arms, legs, and chest are used to record the heart's electrical currents during each heartbeat. This type of test can also be performed outside the hospital with a portable Holter monitor or transtelephonic monitor that can record electrical activity over a period of time as long as one month. These devices are useful for diagnosing arrhythmias that are infrequent. A doctor can also use an echocardiogram to examine the pumping action of your heart. This test uses ultrasound waves to reveal the heart's size, structure and motion. We have other specialized tests – depending on the patient – that record the heart's electrical current and activity.
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To make an appointment or learn more about the Brigham and Women's Hospital Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, call 1-800-BWH-9999 or visit us at http://brighamandwomens.org/cvcenter/arrhythmia/.
