are there problems having an extra heartbeat

If untreated, arrhythmia can create health problems over time, such as: Abnormally low levels of electrolytes, such as sodium, calcium or potassium.Ventricular arrhythmia can also be caused by: Highly emotional states, such as shock or stress.Substances, such as caffeine, nicotine or diet pills.Health issues, such as Long QT syndrome and other inherited electrical disorders of the heart ( congenital heart disease) or thyroid disorders.Injury from a past heart attack or surgery.Or the signals may not travel normally through the heart. With an irregular heartbeat, the heart may have extra, missing or slow signals. When the heart is pumping correctly, tiny electrical currents signal the heart to beat. Loss of consciousness, blackouts or fainting ( syncope)Īn arrhythmia happens because of a problem with the heart's electrical system.Weakness, dizziness and light-headedness.Heart palpitations where the heart skips a beat or beats too hard or fast.If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor or 911: But if it happens often or for no apparent reason, it could be a sign of arrhythmia. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a rare congenital heart disease involves an extra electrical pathway in the heartĮveryone feels an abnormal heart rhythm occasionally.Premature atrial contractions, a common type of irregular heartbeat.AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, a common type of rapid heartbeat that begins in the atrioventricular node, which is a kind of electrical gatekeeper located between the atria and ventricles.Atrial flutter, a rapid, but regular heartbeat.Atrial fibrillation (AFib), a rapid, irregular heartbeat.Supraventricular arrhythmias are tachycardias (rapid heartbeats) and the types include: Ventricular tachycardia, which can be dangerous in older adults and people with heart conditions that can lead to fainting (syncope), ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.Ventricular fibrillation, where the ventricles quiver in a fast, irregular pattern.Premature ventricular contractions, the most common type of arrhythmia and usually harmless.The different kinds of ventricular arrhythmias include: Some ventricular arrhythmias are harmless while others are very serious and can cause sudden cardiac arrest or death. Supraventricular arrhythmias happen above the ventricles, usually in the atria (upper heart chambers).Ventricular arrhythmias happen in the ventricles (lower heart chambers).Bradycardia is a slow heartbeat of less than 60 beats per minute when resting.Tachycardia, a common type of arrhythmia, is a fast heartbeat of more than 100 beats per minute when resting.Understanding types of irregular heartbeatĭoctors describe arrhythmias by their speed and location in the heart. But sometimes, it can make the heart unable to pump enough blood to the brain and other organs, causing serious, even life-threatening conditions. Your heart might beat too fast, too slow or in an erratic pattern.Īn irregular heartbeat can often be harmless. What is arrhythmia?Īny kind of irregular heartbeat is an arrhythmia. As leaders in correcting abnormal heart rhythms, we’re here to help you live an active, healthy life. The good news is that we can successfully treat even the most serious arrhythmias. Carotid artery disease (blocked carotid artery)Īn irregular heartbeat can be unnerving.

Are there problems having an extra heartbeat