The heart is one of most complex organs in our body. It has many nodes, chambers and valves. The heart is also responsible for the health of all other organs. It is an organ that transports blood throughout your body. When there is an abnormality in this function, such as damage or disruption to such a complex system causes, you will notice a change in your heart rhythm. Medically, this is called “Arrhythmias”.
You may experience arrhythmias with or without symptoms. These symptoms may include:
- Discomfort;
- Pain in your chest;
- Breathing problems;
- Fatigue;
- Fainting.
There are many types of abnormal heart rhythms. You should be aware that not all abnormal heart rhythms are life-threatening. However, it is important to consult your doctor if you notice any unusualities in the heart. The following article will discuss various abnormalities in the heart rhythms.
Different Types of Abnormal Heart Beats
There are several common types of abnormal heart rate. These include:
- Tachycardia is a type of abnormal heart rhythm that causes your heart to beat too fast. A patient with this abnormal heart rhythm usually has a resting heart beat rate of over 100 beats per hour (bpm). This is significantly higher than the resting heart rate for a healthy adult, which ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). This heart condition can be sub-typed into three types:
- Sinus Tachycardia is a sub-type of increased heart rate. It can occur as a result of pain, dehydration and rigorous exercise. This type of rhythm causes the heartbeat to return to normal when your body feels calmer and/or better.
- Supraventricular Tchycardia. This abnormal heart rhythm is located in the upper chamber of the heart.
- Ventricular Tachycardia is: This sub-type refers to the fast rhythm in your heart that occurs within the ventricles, which are the lower chambers of the heart.
- Atrial Fibrillation is an abnormal rhythm of the heart that occurs in the upper chambers. It is the most frequent type of arrhythmia. AFib is also known as unstable heart condition. It is caused by an instability in the electrical impulses to the organ. This causes the heart to misfire, and subsequently your atria to quiver irregularly. This abnormality can increase your heart rate from 80 to 180 beats per minute.
- Atrial Flutter: This is also known as atrial flutter. It is caused by an abnormality in one of the upper chambers in the heart. The atrial rhythm is then rapid. It can also happen in the left atrium. This is due to an abnormality within the electrical circuit of the heart. Although there is no problem with the overall rhythm, the heart rate could be higher than normal.
- Bradycardia is a condition where your heart rate drops below 60 beats per minute. Bradycardia is a condition where electrical signals are disrupted. These usually move from the atria into the ventricles. Athletes, for example, have slower heart rates than others who are healthy. The slow heart rate is not a sign of a heart condition.
- Ventricular Fibrillation is a serious condition that can lead to death. It involves the ventricles’ fast and irregular beating. This can cause a blockage in blood flow to your heart and ultimately lead to death.
- Premature contractions: A condition in which the heart beat occurs before it is scheduled. It can occur in either the atrium (which experts call the “premature arial contraction”) or the ventricle (premature ventricle).
Conclusion
If you notice a change in your heartbeat rhythm, consult a doctor immediately. A doctor will conduct a physical exam using either the stethoscope (EKG) or the stethoscope.
