Print to Page  |  Contact Us  |  Sign In  |  Register
Arrhythmia
Share |
An arrhythmia is a problem with the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. A heartbeat that is too fast is called tachycardia. A heartbeat that is too slow is called bradycardia. Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can be serious or even life threatening. When the heart rate is too slow, too fast, or irregular, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. Lack of blood flow can damage the brain, heart, and other organs. 

Many arrhythmias cause no signs or symptoms. When signs or symptoms are present, the most common ones are: 

Palpitations (a feeling that your heart has skipped a beat or is beating too hard)
A slow heartbeat
An irregular heartbeat
Feeling of pauses between heartbeats 

More serious signs and symptoms include: 

Anxiety
Weakness
Dizziness and light-headedness
Fainting or nearly fainting
Sweating
Shortness of breath
Chest pain 

Outlook 

Usually the first test used to diagnose an arrhythmia is an EKG (electrocardiogram). Arrhythmias can be treated with medicines, medical procedures (for example, electrical energy delivered to the heart), and surgery. Serious arrhythmias can often be successfully treated. Most people with arrhythmias are able to live normal lives. 
Community Search
Sign In

Username
Password

Forgot your password?

Haven't registered yet?
more
Calendar

5/14/2013
Atrial fibrillation and stroke risk in Hispanic American women

5/15/2013
WomenHeart of NE Washington Support Meeting

5/15/2013
Empowering Women to Take Charge of their Heart Health Webinar

5/16/2013
Make the Call, Don’t Miss A Beat! Webinar

5/16/2013
Haga La Llamada¡No Pierda Tiempo! Webinar
more
Latest News

5/8/2013WomenHeart Wins “Full Circle Award”

5/7/2013WomenHeart teams up to produce new patient resource guide

5/6/2013WomenHeart and CardioSmart work together to promote women's heart health

5/2/2013High Cost of Medications Getting You Down? Try a Co-Pay Card.

4/25/2013A Shout-Out to WomenHeart Volunteers!
 
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) patient advocacy organization with thousands of members nationwide, including women heart patients and their families, health care providers, advocates and consumers committed to helping women live longer, healthier lives. WomenHeart supports, educates and advocates on behalf of the 42 million American women living with or at risk of heart disease. Our programs are made possible by donations, grants and corporate partnerships.

2013 Copyright - WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is a founding partner of The Heart Truth Red Dress campaign. The Heart Truth and Red Dress are trademarks of HHS.