Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia or dysrthythmia is an irregular heartbeat. There are several types of arrhythmias.

Risk Factors and Causes

The risk factors for arrhythmia are similar to those of coronary artery disease and heart attack. Arrhythmia may be caused by:

• Family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Injury from a heart attack
• Excessive alcohol drinking

Prevention and Planning Ahead

If you have any of the risk factors for coronary artery disease and/or heart attack, it is important that you speak with your doctor about possible steps to reduce your risk. Your doctor may suggest medications, lifestyle changes or surgical procedures to reduce your risk for arrhythmia.

Symptoms

Common symptoms are:

• Palpitations (a feeling of skipped heart beats, fluttering or "flip-flops," or feeling that your heart is "running away").
• Pounding in your chest.
• Dizziness or feeling light-headed.
• Shortness of breath.

Diagnosis

A doctor can detect an irregular heartbeat during a physical exam by taking your pulse listening to your heart. Other tests include: echocardiogram, cardiac catherization, and ambulatory monitors.

Intervention/Treatment

Treatment is based on the type and seriousness of your arrhythmia. Some arrhythmias require no treatment, while others require medication, lifestyle changes and/or surgical treatment.
Because everyone is different it may take trials of several medications and doses to find the one that's best for you. Antiarrhythmic drugs may include beta-blockers and be used to control your heart rate. Anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy may be given to reduce the risk of blood clots.