Heart Rhythm Disorders
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What is Heart Arrhythmia & Heart Rhythm Problems?
We offer a fully comprehensive electrophysiology service for both diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders using the most advanced techniques available. Whether you are experiencing mild symptoms, or you are unsure if your heart rhythm is functioning normally throughout the day, we are here to help look into and treat any heart arrhythmia issues.
Heart rhythm disorders, or Heart Arrhythmia, refer to when your heart beats abnormally from its regular rhythm. This can be either too fast, too slow, or even irregularly and occurs when the electrical impulses that cause a heartbeat, travel in a different direction than it would normally. Throughout the day, it is not unusual for your heartbeat to change depending on the situation, for example, it will beat faster when exercising and be much slower when in a state of rest. Similarly, if you are feeling calm, generally your heartbeat will be slower than if you are feeling anxious or excited. This is a normal functioning of your heart to adjust depending on the situation. This can make it difficult to notice if you are experiencing irregular heartbeat symptoms.
Being aware of the types of heart rhythm you are experiencing and why your heart rhythm changes throughout the day can help you understand if you are experiencing any heart rhythm problems. In most people, irregular heartbeat symptoms may show briefly but settle on their own and will remain harmless. However, if you notice any abnormal changes in your heart rhythm than how it normally functions in any given activity, you should look to consult medical advice.
What Are Irregular Heartbeat Symptoms?
There are many irregular heartbeat causes to be aware of, but some of the most irregular heartbeat symptoms include:
- Palpitations such as a thumping or fluttering sensation in your chest
- Feeling tired or fatigued
- Shortness of Breath
- Discomfort or chest pain
- Dizziness or feeling faint
Whilst some of these irregular heartbeat symptoms may dissipate after a short period, for example, if you have been partaking in cardiovascular exercise, you should seek medical advice if the symptoms:
- Last a long time and start to get more frequent or worse
- Are related to a history of heart rhythm problems in your family
- Are unusual and the cause you can’t explain them
You should seek urgent medical attention if any of the irregular heartbeat symptoms are being experienced whilst having palpitations at the same time, as some of the irregular heartbeat causes can be from a heart attack or heart failure. Similarly, they could be a sign of underlying issues such as coronary heart disease or cardiomyopathy that will trigger heart arrhythmia.
Types of Heart Rhythm Disorder
There are some common irregular heartbeat causes that can explain why you may be suffering from heart rhythm problems, some of which can be inherited from family and may not show until later into adult life. Some of the types of heart rhythm disorders include:
Atrial Fibrillation – this is where you will experience an irregular and often faster heart rhythm than normal, with palpitations, shortness of breath or feeling of dizziness common. Commonly this is linked to other heart conditions such as heart valve disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. Both chronic atrial fibrillation (long term symptoms) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (occasional symptoms) are treatable.
Tachycardias– if your heart is beating more than 90 beats per minute it can be a sign of tachycardia including supraventricular tachycardias. This heart rhythm disorder is where an abnormally fast heartbeat is experienced and originates above the ventricles for minutes and even hours.
Bradycardias – this is where your heartbeat is much slower than usual, sometimes below 60 beats per minute for prolonged periods. This can become a bigger issue if the heart doesn’t pump enough oxygen to the rest of the body but can be experienced as part of deep sleep or if you are physically active with a low resting heart rate.
Atrial Flutter – an atrial flutter is where the atria contracts at a high speed and much faster than the ventricles. This abnormal arrhythmia where the atria and the ventricles beat differently can cause palpitations and feeling of faintness.
How Are Heart Rhythm Disorders Diagnosed?
Seeking medical attention if any of the irregular heartbeat symptoms become more common for you or you are concerned about them after learning of a family history of heart rhythm problems, will help diagnose if you have a heart rhythm disorder. Here at The Keyhole Heart Clinic, we can assist in the diagnosis of palpitations being experienced as well as provide irregular heartbeat treatment if necessary through heart screening. We want our patients to find out the reasons behind their heart arrhythmia and what the causes and treatments available to them are through expert medical advice and by using the latest technological advancements.
We’ll be able to run tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) that will record the rhythm, rate and electrical activity of your heart based on the symptoms you describe when booking a consultation. An ECG should only take a few minutes to complete and will provide us with plenty of information insight into the function of your heart. From there we will be able to diagnose accurately if you have a heart rhythm disorder and what next steps need to be taken.
What Irregular Heartbeat Treatment is Available?
Due to the various types of heart arrhythmia you could be diagnosed with having, the types of irregular heartbeat treatment available won’t be the same for every patient. In many cases, changes in lifestyle and medication are all that will be needed as having a heart arrhythmia doesn’t necessarily mean surgery is required. We will be able to advise the seriousness of your heart rhythm disorder and the medication we recommend as well as small changes such as the amount of caffeine being consumed or the amount of exercise you are regularly having. If, however, your irregular heartbeat symptoms are more severe or advanced, then we may advise more practical changes such as minimising being exposed to stressful situations such as driving or working, for example, and undergoing treatment such as Heart Rhythm Ablation, where keyhole surgery will look to correct any electrical signals that are causing the abnormal beating of the heart.
Our Heart Rhythm Disorder Services Include:
- Diagnosis of Palpitations
- Heart Rhythm Ablation:
- Chronic Atrial Fibrillation
- Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Supraventricular tachycardias
- Complex rhythm disorders
- Remote Monitoring Devices
- Newest Pacemaker Implantation
- Biventricular Pacemakers
- Complex Lead Removal
Receive Advice on Irregular Heartbeat Treatment Today
At The Keyhole Heart Clinic, we have some of the world’s leading heart surgeons and cardiologists who are able to provide expert medical advice when you need it. Get in touch with our expert team today and book a consultation if you are concerned about heart rhythm disorders or you have experienced irregular heartbeat symptoms. We’ll assist you in diagnosis and the regular monitoring of any heart arrhythmia you may have, including the use of the latest remote monitoring devices, and advise if keyhole surgery or any pacemaker implantation is the best solution. Find out more about other Heart Conditions and Services we provide here, as well as patient testimonials for more on our patients experienced The Keyhole Heart Clinic.
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