Symptoms of Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Arrhythmias are a condition in which the heart either beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Most people experience some form of arrhythmia at some point in their lives, and occasional irregular heartbeats are generally not cause for concern. Occasionally they indicate a more serious form of heart disease, and for this reason it's important to recognize the symptoms of an abnormal heart rhythm.

Understanding Abnormal Heart Rhythms
There are many forms of heart rhythms. If you experience symptoms for abnormal heart rhythms, you're most likely experiencing one of the following:
Premature ventricular contractions. Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, most often occur in people who don't have any other form of heart disease and are usually not serious. This is the type of arrhythmia that most people will experience at some point in their lives and usually manifests itself in the form of a skipped heartbeat or brief palpitations. Occasionally, PVCs are the result of an electrical imbalance or heart disease. For this reason, people who experience PVCs frequently should see a doctor to determine the underlying cause.
Atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a form of arrhythmia that is quite common (roughly 2.2 million Americans have it) but is also very serious. With atrial fibrillation, the atria, or the two upper chambers of the heart, quiver or "fibrillate" instead of beating rhythmically. As a result, the blood is not completely emptied out with each heartbeat. This can lead to pooling and clotting. Blood clots are particularly harmful as they can become lodged in the coronary arteries or an artery in the brain, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms
Abnormal heart rhythms can be tricky to detect as they sometimes have no real symptoms. In addition, you may experience many symptoms for the forms of arrhythmia that are not considered serious, while some of the life-threatening forms may not yield any symptoms at all. However, in most cases, if you have an abnormal heart rhythm you'll most likely experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Racing or unusually slow heartbeat
The feeling like your heart is "fluttering"
Angina (chest pain; results from a lack of blood to the heart)
Dizziness or fainting spells
Feeling lightheaded or short of breath

These symptoms could indicate an abnormal heart rhythm. It is important that you consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms, especially it they seem to come out of nowhere or they happen on a regular basis. The doctor will perform an examination and then offer treatment options, which in many cases will not be necessary. However, treatment for more serious forms of arrhythmia can include medications or the surgical insertion of a pacemaker to help regulate the heart beat.