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Every heart has an electrical
system running throughout its
muscle tissue. The sinus node,
often called the heart’s natural
pacemaker, contains the most
active electrical cells, and it initiates
heartbeats.
Other nodes are responsible for
transmitting signals to different
sections of the heart. For instance,
the atrioventricular node’s job is
to transmit signals from the upper
chambers, called atria, to the
lower chambers, called ventricles.
A problem in a node or anywhere
along the electrical path
can disrupt the regular beating
of the heart and cause an
arrhythmia. The heartbeat can
become too fast or too slow and
can be chaotic or steady.
Symptoms vary based on the
rhythm change. Palpitation or a Skipped Beat
Although it may seem as if the heart
missed a beat, really the heart has a
premature heartbeat, almost an extra
beat happening too soon, which may
result in a pause – the "skipped beat."
Fluttering
A fluttering sensation is usually due
to a series of "skipped beats" that
occur in quick succession.
Slow Heartbeat – Bradycardias
If the heartbeat is too slow, usually
considered a rate below 60 beats a
minute, not enough oxygen-rich
blood flows through the body. So, it
makes sense that the symptoms of a
slow heartbeat are:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting or near fainting
Rapid Heartbeat – Tachycardias
When the heart beats too quickly,
usually considered a rate above 100
beats a minute, the lower chambers,
or ventricles, do not have enough
time to fill with blood, so they cannot
effectively pump blood to the rest of
the body. When this happens, some
people experience:
- Skipping a beat
- Beating out of rhythm
- Palpitations
- Rapid heart action
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting or near fainting.
- Chaotic, quivering or irregular rhythm
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|  Every heart has an electrical
system running throughout its
muscle tissue. The sinus node,
often called the heart’s natural
pacemaker, contains the most
active electrical cells, and it initiates
heartbeats.
Other nodes are responsible for
transmitting signals to different
sections of the heart. For instance,
the atrioventricular node’s job is
to transmit signals from the upper
chambers, called atria, to the
lower chambers, called ventricles.
A problem in a node or anywhere
along the electrical path
can disrupt the regular beating
of the heart and cause an
arrhythmia. The heartbeat can
become too fast or too slow and
can be chaotic or steady.
Symptoms vary based on the
rhythm change.
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Suddenly rapid, irregular and chaotic
heartbeats may be a sign of the most
dangerous arrhythmia, ventricular
fibrillation.
It is the number one
cause of sudden cardiac death.
Within seconds, an individual loses
consciousness and, without immediate
emergency treatment, will die
within minutes.
Almost Fainting – Presyncope
Sometimes people experience
symptoms before they faint.
Presyncope can be a sign of a
heart rhythm disorder and should
be evaluated carefully.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or vertigo
- Blurred or narrowed (tunnel) vision
- Sweating
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Stomachache/abdominal discomfort
- Heart palpitations
- Headache
- Confusion and/or difficulty
- speaking clearly or coherently
Fainting - Syncope
Fainting related to a heart rhythm
disorder is more likely to happen
suddenly and without warning than
fainting related to other causes, such
as dehydration or low blood sugar.
Any sudden lose of consciousness
should be evaluated by a physician.
In some cases, fainting is the only
warning sign of an arrhythmia that
could cause sudden cardiac death.
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