When electrical signals in the heart are disrupted this can cause ‘arrhythmias’. ‘Arrhythmia’ is a general term for any abnormal heart rhythm, where the heart is not beating in ‘sinus rhythm’. The heart beats either too fast, too slow or irregularly.
Some arrhythmias are harmless. Others require treatment with medication, surgery or devices.
Note: arrhythmias are sometimes referred to as ‘dysrhythmia’, and either term can be used
What is a normal heart rhythm?
A normal ‘resting’ heartbeat is usually between 60 and 100 beats per minute in an adult.
The speed at which the heart beats (pumps blood out) will vary and depends on what the person is doing.
For example, the heart beats more quickly when someone is exercising, and their body needs more oxygen to get to the muscles than when someone is resting.
What is the effect of arrhythmias?
Arrhythmias can reduce how well the heart beats and pumps blood around the body. This is because the heart’s chambers are uncoordinated or unable to pump properly.
You might feel:
- A pounding or fluttering feeling in your chest
- Dizzy or lightheaded
- Loss of consciousness (fainting)
However, some arrhythmias are more persistent, or can have serious consequences. As they reduce how effective the heart is at pumping blood around the body, they can be life-threatening.
How are arrhythmias treated?
- Taking anti-arrhythmic medication
- Monitored via an ICD
Types of arrhythmia
Below are different types of arrhythmia that may occur in people with cardiomyopathy.
- Atrial fibrillation (AF)
- Atrial flutter
- Bundle branch block (BBB)
- Heart block
- Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT)