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What Is an Abnormal Heartbeat?

The heart normally beats about 60 to 100 times each minute. The pattern is regular, and increases or decreases in response to activity levels. Special heart cells send electrical signals throughout the heart. These signals cause the heart muscle to contract, which squeezes blood from the heart to the body and the lungs.

If a heart attack, infection, medication, or a disease damages the heart, those special cells may not work properly. If the signals are not sent often enough, other parts of the heart will react, causing a slower, irregular, or faster heart rate. A slower or faster heart rate may not pump enough blood for the body's needs. A person may feel an irregular beating or skipped beats, lightheaded, weak, faint, short of breath, or even have chest pain.

Some abnormal heartbeats are little more than an annoyance, while others can be life-threatening. If the part of the heart that pumps the blood beats too rapidly, too irregularly, or stops beating, the person could faint or even die. Consult a healthcare provider right away if you experience an abnormal heartbeat.

The diagnosis of abnormal heartbeats is usually made with an electrocardiogram, also called an ECG. An ECG records the electrical activity of your heart. If the irregular heart rate happens frequently, it may be seen on a routine ECG in the doctor's office. Sometimes a device called a Holter monitor will be worn for 24 to 48 hours to record a longer ECG so that the abnormal beats can be seen.

There are many causes for an abnormal heartbeat. Besides heart attacks, infections, and diseases, some drugs can also cause abnormal heartbeats. So can stimulants, such as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. A person may also be born with an abnormal heartbeat. The treatment of abnormal heartbeats depends on the cause. Stopping stimulants (such as tea, coffee, alcohol, and cigarettes) may help. Medications may be needed to stabilize the heart rate. If the heart is too slow, a pacemaker can be used to control the heart rate. If the heart beats too irregularly or too fast, surgery or a special device to shock the heart may be needed.

For more information, speak with your family physician. If your physician would like to refer you to a cardiologist, ask for a referral to a Saint Vincent Heart Center cardiac specialist. Information is also available by contacting your local chapter of the American Heart Association or call the national office at (800) 242-8721 or visit their website at www.americanheart.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. HIL File CARD4291.RF2 VRS# 6101 Data Version 7.0
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