Arrhythmia

• Atrial fibrillation is the most common one. It causes the heart to beat irregularly and faster than normal.
• Supraventricular tachycardia causes the heart to suddenly beat much faster then normal. It can then slow down abruptly. The condition is not normally serious but it may require treatment.
• Bradycardia causes the heart to beat abnormally slowly.
• Heart block causes the heat to beat more slowly than normal and can cause people to collapse.
• Ventricular fibrillation is a serious condition that can cause sudden death if not treated immediately. It is a rapid and highly irregular rhythm of heartbeats that can cause loss of consciousness.

The symptoms of arrhythmia include:

• Palpitations – these are heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable. Your heart may feel like it is fluttering, pounding or beating irregularly. You may feel these sensations in your throat and neck as well as your chest.
• Ectopic heartbeats – this is when your heart feels like it has missed a beat or there is an extra beat.
• Dizziness
• Fainting and blackouts
• Breathlessness

The Arrhythmia Alliance produces an Arrhythmia Checklist that you can use to help you understand more about your symptoms. Always get your symptoms checked by a doctor so you can receive a proper diagnosis. This is particularly important if there is a history of unexplained sudden death in your family.

Having some or all of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have arrhythmia. Other conditions that produce similar symptoms include:

• Heart palpitations
• Long OT syndrome
• Superventricular tachycardia
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
• Brugada syndrome

Arrhythmia is a problem with the heart rhythm. Your heartbeat is controlled by electrical impulses. If these malfunction the heart can begin to beat in an abnormal way; too quickly, too slowly or with an irregular rhythm.

More than two million people in the UK are believed to have some kind of arrhythmia. Most are able to lead a normal life, providing they have a proper diagnosis. However, atrial fibrillation makes you five times more likely to have a stroke. And. certain types of arrhythmia in people with severe heart conditions can lead sudden cardiac death.

For this reason, if you have any of the symptoms associated with possible arrhythmia you should see your doctor to have a proper diagnosis. If it is confirmed that you have arrhythmia, there are many different treatments available.

Arrhythmia can affect people of any age but atrial fibrillation is increasingly common with age. Drinking too much alcohol increases the likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation, as does being overweight. Damaged tissue due to heart attack or heart failure can also lead to an increased risk of arrhythmia. Other common triggers are:

• Viral illnesses
• Smoking
• Exercise
• Caffeine drinks
• Changes in posture
• Side-effects of some types of medication and illegal drugs.

The most accurate way to diagnose arrhythmia is with an electrocardiogram (ECG), which takes an electrical recording of your heart rhythm using sensors attached to your skin. You may need to wear a small, portable ECG recording device for 24 hours or longer.

This is referred to as ambulatory ECG monitoring or Holter monitoring. The monitor detects and records the electrical signals produced by your heart each time it beats.

By looking at this recording, your doctor will be able to tell if your heart is beating abnormally. If the symptoms seem to be linked to exercise, you may be asked to wear an exercise ECG while you are using a treadmill or exercise bike.

If the ECG proves inconclusive you may require further tests. These could include:

• an echocardiogram – an ultrasound scan of your heart
• an electrophysiological study – tiny wires are passed up into your heart via a vein in your leg while you are sedated. This enables the doctor to identify problems with the electrical signals in your heart.
• cardiac event recorder – a device that records occasional symptoms as and when they occur

A healthy lifestyle may help reduce your risk of developing arrhythmia. And, if you have been diagnosed with arrhythmia, making some simple lifestyle changes may help you to avoid triggering future episodes.

Suggested lifestyle changes may include:

• eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veg
• avoiding alcohol
• giving up smoking
• maintaining a healthy body weight

Depending on the type and extent of your arrhythmia, the treatment offered might include:

• Medication – this may prevent arrhythmia altogether or control it when it occurs.
• Reveal LINQ ICM (insertable cardiac monitor) – this is a tiny monitor that it placed under your skin. It collects heart rhythm data and automatically sends this to your doctor.
• Catheter ablation – a keyhole treatment to destroy any diseased heart tissue that might be causing arrhythmia. It is carried out under local or general anaesthetic.
• A pacemaker – a small device that is implanted in your chest under local anaesthetic to help regulate your heartbeat.
• ICD – similar to a pacemaker, but rather than simply monitoring your heart rhythm it shocks your heart back into a normal rhythm whenever it is needed.
• Cardioversion – while you are anaesthetised or sedated, you will be given mild electric shocks to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm.
• Alivecor KARDIA mobile ECG heart monitor – a portable handheld heart monitor that allows you to check if your ECG is within normal limits if you are affected by ventricular fibrillation. It is smaller than a credit card and works with most smartphones and tablets to provide instant, accurate ECG information.

If you are diagnosed with arrhythmia, you must tell the DVLA as it may affect your ability to drive. You may also need to tell your employer if you operate machinery or work at height, as it may be dangerous for you to return to work until your condition is under control.