Arrhythmias are abnormal heartbeats. They happen when the electrical impulses that control heartbeats don’t react like they normally should. It may cause the heart to beat too quickly or too slowly. Most arrhythmias are harmless like the occasional heart flutter. They are only considered an issue when they interfere with your quality of life.
If they cause fatigue, dizziness, or chest pain then they may be life threatening. This could mean the heart is pumping less efficiently and your blood isn’t flowing properly. This could result in damage to the brain, heart, or other organs. Sometimes they can even result in sudden death.
What is AFIB?
Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) is a type of arrhythmia, it produces an irregular or rapid heartbeat. At this time the atria will quiver or fibrillate. The atria is the upper two chambers of the heart that receive blood. During the time of this rapid or irregular heartbeat, blood cannot be pumped out of the heart efficiently. Because of this, blood tends to pool creating a blood clot risk within the heart. If a blood clot should form it can travel throughout the bloodstream and get lodged in an artery causing a stroke or embolism.
Afib doesn’t always come with symptoms. But if symptoms do occur they are fainting, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath and angina. People that suffer from AFIB can have regular periods of normal heartbeats. The causes of AFIB is usually age, heart disease, diabetes, and an excess of thyroid hormones. AFIB can be diagnosed using an ECG or Doctors usually prefer an ECG because the patient can carry it with them for an extended period of time. This is a better practice since AFIB tends to come and go. AFIB can be treated with medicine based on how you got it, but sometimes surgery is required.
What is Tachycardia?
Tachycardia is an arrhythmia that causes the heart to beat too rapidly at 100 beats per minute. A normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats a minute. Tachycardia occurs when the heart produces rapid electrical signals in the upper or lower chambers of the heart. It can be considered benign at times but sometimes it is extremely dangerous. When the heart is beating too rapidly less blood is flowing through the body including the heart itself.
Tachycardia causes no symptoms or complications at times. But sometimes it can be the sign of a serious disruption in heart function. It can increase the risk of stroke, cause a cardiac arrest, and sometimes even death. There are treatments that can treat tachycardia. Sometimes if it is just caused by having a fever you can take a Tylenol and be on your way.
Both can be considered either benign or life threatening arrhythmias. If you show any symptoms of either one you should get to a doctor.