What Are the Symptoms of Arrhythmias?

An arrhythmia can be silent and not cause any symptoms. A doctor can detect an irregular heartbeat during a physical exam by taking your pulse or through an electrocardiogram (ECG).

When symptoms occur, they may include:

• 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.
• Fainting.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest discomfort.
• Weakness or fatigue (feeling very tired).

How Are Arrhythmias Diagnosed?

Tests used to diagnose an arrhythmia or determine its cause include:

• Electrocardiogram
• Holter monitor
• Event monitor
• Stress test
• Echocardiogram
• Cardiac catheterization
• Electrophysiology study (EPS)
• Head-up tilt table test

How Are Arrhythmias Treated?

Treatment depends on the type and seriousness of your arrhythmia. Some people with arrhythmias require no treatment. For others, treatments can include medication, making lifestyle changes and undergoing surgical procedures.

What Medications Are Used to Treat Arrhythmias?

A variety of drugs are available to treat arrhythmias. These include:

• Antiarrhythmic drugs. These drugs control heart-rate, and include beta-blockers.
• Anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. These drugs reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke. These include warfarin (a "blood thinner") or aspirin.

Because everyone is different, it may take trials of several medications and doses to find the one that works best for you.

What Lifestyle Changes Should Be Made?

• If you notice that your irregular heart rhythm occurs more often with certain activities, you should avoid them.
• If you smoke, stop.
• Limit your intake of alcohol.
• Limit or stop using caffeine. Some people are sensitive to caffeine and may notice more symptoms when using caffeine products (such as tea, coffee, colas and some over-the-counter medications).
• Stay away from stimulants used in cough and cold medications. Some such medications contain ingredients that promote irregular heart rhythms. Read the label and ask your doctor or pharmacist what medication would be best for you.

What Is Electrical Cardioversion?

If drugs are not able to control a persistent irregular heart rhythm (such as atrial fibrillation), cardioversion may be required. After administration of a short-acting anesthesia, an electrical shock is delivered to your chest wall that synchronizes the heart and allows the normal rhythm to restart.

What Is a Pacemaker?

A pacemaker is a device that sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscle to maintain a suitable heart rate. Pacemakers primarily prevent the heart from beating too slowly. The pacemaker has a pulse generator (which houses the battery and a tiny computer) and leads (wires) that send impulses from the pulse generator to the heart muscle. Newer pacemakers have many sophisticated features that are designed to help manage arrhythmias and optimize heart-rate-related function as much as possible.