Arrhythmia is a condition in which the heart does not beat normally. For example, it may be beating fast during the resting period or not beating in a regular pattern. This condition may range from harmless to severe, sometimes with signs and sometimes without them. In certain situations, arrhythmia may represent a serious heart problem, potentially fatal and leading to cardiac arrest. So, it is important to seek more information about this condition.

What happens in arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia gives the impression of a fluttering or racing heart. This may be harmless but some may be serious and even life-threatening. It has been found that an estimated 1.5% to 5% of individuals have this condition. However, arriving at some actual numbers is difficult, as sometimes the condition goes unidentified.

Types
The healthcare providers describe the types of arrhythmia based on where it begins in the heart.

• Ventricular arrhythmia
  This type starts at the heart’s ventricles or lower chambers.
• Supraventricular arrhythmia
  It begins at the atria, the upper chambers of the heart.
• Bradyarrhythmia
  Bradyarrhythmia and the junctional rhythms occur due to issues with the conduction system of the heart, like, the sinoatrial (SA) node, atrioventricular (AV) node, and Purkinje network.

Symptoms
The common symptoms of the condition are as follows:

• Heart palpitations
• Episodes of fainting
• Chest discomfort
• Fatigue or weakness
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Pounding in the chest
• Chest Pain
• Sweating
• Blurry Vision
• Anxiety

Causes
Arrhythmia occurs when the electrical signals responsible for coordinating heartbeats do not work properly. This may also happen because of problems with the heart arteries, muscles, or valves. The other causes are listed below:

• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease
• The process of healing after undergoing a heart surgery
• Valve disorders
• Injury from a heart attack
• Electrolyte imbalances in the blood
• Changes in the heart muscle
• Irritable tissues in the heart
• Varying hormone levels
• A higher level of stress or strain

Risk factors
The risk factors of cardiac arrhythmia are:

• Excessive intake of foods and drinks that have caffeine
• Taking certain stimulants and herbal supplements
• Having BMI higher than 30
• Sleep apnea
• High blood pressure

Complications
There are several complications associated with this condition, the most common ones are the following:

• Stroke
• Cardiac arrest
• Weakening of the heart muscles

Diagnosis
The healthcare provider can diagnose this heart condition with various tests. To begin with, they will trace the irregular heartbeat by listening to the heart. The following tests are used to diagnose this condition:

• Electrocardiogram, commonly known as ECG or EKG
• Stress test
• Tilt table test
• Cardiac catheterization
• Ambulatory monitors
• Electrophysiology study (EPS)
• Echocardiogram
• Heart MRI
• Computed Tomography (CT) scan
• Blood tests

Treatment
In many cases, this condition is usually harmless and does not require treatment. However, some of the options include certain therapies, lifestyle changes, surgery, and device implantation.

Therapies
The therapies to treat the condition are as follows:

• Cardioversion
  In this procedure, the physician gives an electric shock to the heart through the patches placed on the chest. This resets the heart rate.
• Pulmonary vein isolation
  In this procedure, the four pulmonary veins at the location of the atria are treated with heat or extreme cold applied via a catheter.
• Catheter ablation
  A catheter is used to deliver heat or cold energy. This blocks abnormal electrical signals.

Devices
The healthcare provider may also implant certain devices such as:

• Permanent pacemaker
  Small electrical impulses are sent by this device to the heart muscle so that the normal heart rate can be maintained.
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
  This device monitors the heart rhythm. On detecting an abnormal and very fast heartbeat, electrical energy is delivered to the heart muscle so that it may beat normally.
• Biventricular pacemakers and defibrillators
  These devices are best for people with heart failure and uncoordinated ventricular contractions.

Surgery
In certain cases, people may require surgery in case arrhythmia is caused by some heart diseases. It includes coronary artery bypass surgery or valve surgery. Sometimes the maze procedure is also done.

Lifestyle changes to manage the condition
Various lifestyle changes that help manage the condition include the following:

• Managing stress
• Exercising regularly
• Managing blood pressure
• Controlling blood sugar levels
• Avoiding caffeine
• Working toward a healthy life
• Choosing healthy meals packed with fresh fruits and vegetables
• Avoiding saturated and trans fats

In normal conditions, the heart beats 60-100 times every minute. If the heart rhythm shows an irregular pattern, then it is an indication of arrhythmia. It is significant to talk to a healthcare provider in case signs such as heart palpitations and severe fatigue appear. They can suggest the best treatment after a proper diagnosis.