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Experiences with

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias or heart rhythm problems are experienced by more than 2 million people a year in the UK. Most people with an abnormal heart rhythm can lead a normal life if it is properly diagnosed.

The main types of arrhythmia are:

  • atrial fibrillation (AF) – this is the most common type, where the heart beats irregularly and faster than normal
  • supraventricular tachycardia – episodes of abnormally fast heart rate at rest
  • bradycardia – the heart beats more slowly than normal
  • heart block – the heart beats more slowly than normal and can cause people to collapse
  • ventricular fibrillation – a rare, rapid and disorganised rhythm of heartbeats that rapidly leads to loss of consciousness and sudden death if not treated immediately

Arrhythmias can affect all age groups, but atrial fibrillation is more common in older people. Drinking alcohol in excess or being overweight increases your likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation.

You may also be at risk of developing an arrhythmia if your heart tissue is damaged because of an illness – for example, if you have had a heart attack or have heart failure.

Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of stroke. Having atrial fibrillation means your risk of stroke is 5 times higher than for someone whose heart rhythm is normal.

Certain types of arrhythmia occur in people with severe heart conditions, and can cause sudden cardiac death. This kills 100,000 people in the UK every year. Some of these deaths could be avoided if the arrhythmias were diagnosed earlier.

Common triggers for an arrhythmia are viral illnesses, alcohol, tobacco, changes in posture, exercise, drinks containing caffeine, certain over-the-counter and prescribed medicines, and illegal recreational drugs.

Coronavirus advice

Get advice about coronavirus and arrhythmia from the British Heart Foundation

How do you lower your risk of an arrhythmia?

It is not always possible to prevent an arrhythmia developing, although a healthy lifestyle can lower your risk of developing a heart condition.

Treatment aims to prevent future episodes. You can also make lifestyle changes so you avoid some of the triggers for your heart rhythm problem.

Your heart's electrical system

The heart's rhythm is controlled by electrical signals. An arrhythmia is an abnormality of the heart's rhythm. It may beat too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly.

These abnormalities range from a minor inconvenience or discomfort to a potentially fatal problem.

Could you have an arrhythmia?

Symptoms of arrhythmias include palpitations, feeling dizzy, fainting and being short of breath, although having these symptoms does not always mean you have a heart rhythm problem.

Arrhythmia Alliance's heart rhythm checklist can help you gather information to discuss with your GP if you have any of these symptoms.

Diagnosing arrhythmias

If your symptoms persist or there's a history of unexplained sudden death in your family, it's important for your GP to refer you to a heart specialist (a cardiologist or electrophysiologist who specialises in heart rhythm disorders).

The most effective way to diagnose an arrhythmia is with an electrical recording of your heart rhythm called an electrocardiogram (ECG). If the ECG doesn't find a problem, you may need further monitoring of your heart.

This may involve wearing a small portable ECG recording device for 24 hours or longer. This is called a Holter monitor or ambulatory ECG monitoring.

If your symptoms seem to be triggered by exercise, an exercise ECG may be needed to record your heart rhythm while you are using a treadmill or exercise bike.

You should request a copy of your ECG. Take it with you to see the cardiologist or heart rhythm specialist and always keep a copy for future use.

Other tests used in diagnosing arrhythmias include:

  • cardiac event recorder – a device to record occasional symptoms over a period of time whenever you have them
  • electrophysiological (EP) study – a test to locate problems with the electrical signals in your heart by passing soft wires up a vein in your leg and into your heart while you are sedated
  • echocardiogram (echo) – an ultrasound scan of your heart

Treatment for arrhythmias

How your arrhythmia will be treated will depend on whether it is a fast or slow arrhythmia or heart block. Any underlying causes of your arrhythmia, such as heart failure, will need to be treated as well.

The treatments used for arrhythmias include:

  • medication – to stop or prevent an arrhythmia or control the rate of an arrhythmia
  • cardioversion – a treatment that uses electricity to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm while you are anaesthetised or sedated
  • catheter ablation – a keyhole treatment under local or general anaesthetic that carefully destroys the diseased tissue in your heart that causes the arrhythmia
  • pacemaker – a small device containing its own battery that is implanted in your chest under local anaesthetic; it produces electrical signals to do the work of the natural pacemaker in your heart to help it beat at a normal rate
  • ICD – a device similar to a pacemaker that monitors your heart rhythm and shocks your heart back into a normal rhythm whenever this is needed

Staying safe with an arrhythmia

If you have an arrhythmia that affects your driving, you must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

If your job involves working at height or with machinery that could be dangerous, you will need to stop work at least until your arrhythmia is diagnosed or you get treatment for your underlying condition. Get advice from your GP or cardiologist.

Support services

Find heart disease information and support services

Find atrial fibrillation services

Find pacemaker implantation services

Other heart rhythm pages

See the list below for information about specific heart rhythm problems.

Atrial fibrillation

Brugada syndrome

Heart block

Heart palpitations

Long QT syndrome

Supraventricular tachycardia

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

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2,650 public posts

10 months post ablation

Can't complain as have had such great service from arrhythmia nurses and EP over the last couple of months they've been brilliant.
Can't complain as have had such great service from arrhythmia nurses and EP over the last couple of months they've been brilliant.
jobristol
in AF Association

Magnesium and Walking Cure

There's an interesting post on the Arrhythmia Alliance forum, don't miss: https://healthunlocked.com/heartrhythmcharity/posts/144350763/irregular-heart-beat-control-with-walking-plus-magnesium
There's an interesting post on the Arrhythmia Alliance forum, don't miss: https://healthunlocked.com/heartrhythmcharity/posts/144350763/irregular-heart-beat-control-with-walking-plus-magnesium
jeanjeannie50
in AF Association

AF Triggers

Yesterday, I took a longer walk of 4000 steps and slammed into AF a few hours later and the arrhythmia continues as I write. Also, has anyone experienced dizziness and/or buzzing in the ears when they're fribbing?
Yesterday, I took a longer walk of 4000 steps and slammed into AF a few hours later and the arrhythmia continues as I write. Also, has anyone experienced dizziness and/or buzzing in the ears when they're fribbing?
Hannibal1948
in AF Association
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All is clear now - AA - STARS - AFA thanks to Trudie Lobban

this was published with seven chapters and the word ‘arrhythmia’ was only mentioned once – no mention of AF or syncope or any other arrhythmia).
this was published with seven chapters and the word ‘arrhythmia’ was only mentioned once – no mention of AF or syncope or any other arrhythmia).
Afbiff
in AF Association

Ablation update .. having another go today

This first procedure changed my arrhythmia so that it moved from chaotic at bpm of 120-130 to more “ organised” at 140-160.
This first procedure changed my arrhythmia so that it moved from chaotic at bpm of 120-130 to more “ organised” at 140-160.
Sfhmgusa
in AF Association

Our first Virtual Patients Day is LESS than two weeks away! Are you registered?

On 27th September, 2020, the AF Association, alongside our sister charities Arrhythmia Alliance and STARS- Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures, are hosting our first virtual Patients Day which will feature a host of talks from leading cardiac arrhythmia specialists. And it's only £10!!!
On 27th September, 2020, the AF Association, alongside our sister charities Arrhythmia Alliance and STARS- Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures, are hosting our first virtual Patients Day which will feature a host of talks from leading cardiac arrhythmia specialists. And it's only £10!!!
Sharonica-AdminAdministrator
in AF Association

Our first Virtual Patients Day is LESS than two weeks away! Are you registered?

On 27th September, 2020, the Arrhythmia Alliance, alongside our sister charities AF Association and STARS- Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures, are hosting our first virtual Patients Day which will feature a host of talks from leading cardiac arrhythmia specialists. And it's only £10!!!
On 27th September, 2020, the Arrhythmia Alliance, alongside our sister charities AF Association and STARS- Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures, are hosting our first virtual Patients Day which will feature a host of talks from leading cardiac arrhythmia specialists. And it's only £10!!!
Sharonica-AdminAdministrator
in Arrhythmia Alliance

I don't know anymore

I have Gerd really bad, I also have a heart arrhythmia called SVT, both have been acting up as of late. Tonight my heart rate is too slow for me and I feel like Howard Hughes focusing on it. It sucks. I don't know what to do anymore. Just getting burnt out.
I have Gerd really bad, I also have a heart arrhythmia called SVT, both have been acting up as of late. Tonight my heart rate is too slow for me and I feel like Howard Hughes focusing on it. It sucks. I don't know what to do anymore. Just getting burnt out.
Armyguy
in Anxiety Support

Flecainide and beta blockers

I do not know if I took the carvedilol alone if it would be enough to help with my arrhythmia and occasional afib events. Any advice would be Welcome. Thanks in advance!
I do not know if I took the carvedilol alone if it would be enough to help with my arrhythmia and occasional afib events. Any advice would be Welcome. Thanks in advance!
cindyrella
in AF Association

EP Study didn’t trigger arrhythmia

A week later I went for an EP study however they couldn’t induce the arrhythmia:-/ they went ahead with cryoblation anyways but could ablate any areas. I am on Bisoprolol 2.5mg but I’m still experiencing a lot of palpitations and ectopics and so tired and short of breath.
A week later I went for an EP study however they couldn’t induce the arrhythmia:-/ they went ahead with cryoblation anyways but could ablate any areas. I am on Bisoprolol 2.5mg but I’m still experiencing a lot of palpitations and ectopics and so tired and short of breath.
Amy2805
in Arrhythmia Alliance

Electrophysiology Study - Triggering Fast Rhythm

From your experiences, can you tell me the likelihood they will trigger the arrhythmia during the procedure, considering they don't have the best idea where to begin without a prior recording? I would appreciate hearing your experiences and feedback. Thanks so much!
From your experiences, can you tell me the likelihood they will trigger the arrhythmia during the procedure, considering they don't have the best idea where to begin without a prior recording? I would appreciate hearing your experiences and feedback. Thanks so much!
Sydney_B
in Arrhythmia Alliance

Heart rate too low

I have a telephone appointment booked with my arrhythmia nurse for next Monday.
I have a telephone appointment booked with my arrhythmia nurse for next Monday.
rothwell
in AF Association

Not Sure What to do Next

Do I phone the arrhythmia nurse at the hospital where my ablation is due to take place? I have no upcoming appointment with anyone nor do I have a date for my ablation? I feel fine if I just sit on the sofa knitting but I get very breathless if I move or stand for any length of time.
Do I phone the arrhythmia nurse at the hospital where my ablation is due to take place? I have no upcoming appointment with anyone nor do I have a date for my ablation? I feel fine if I just sit on the sofa knitting but I get very breathless if I move or stand for any length of time.
spinningjenny
in AF Association

Relapse after cardioversion

I'm warned that I may revert to arrhythmia within a couple of months. Can anyone tell me, does reversion happen suddenly or gradually, or can it be either? It would be helpful to know, if I were to travel somewhere off the beaten track and it suddenly reverted that could be somewhat problematic.
I'm warned that I may revert to arrhythmia within a couple of months. Can anyone tell me, does reversion happen suddenly or gradually, or can it be either? It would be helpful to know, if I were to travel somewhere off the beaten track and it suddenly reverted that could be somewhat problematic.
Ivan_the_Terrible
in AF Association

Anyone with arrhythmia take thyroid medications?

Hey everyone, Is there anyone out there who has arrhythmia, also has hypothyroidism and takes Synthroid or similar? I’m curious what your experience has been. Has the medication made things worse or better? Do you experience more (cardiac) symptoms since treatments or less?
Hey everyone, Is there anyone out there who has arrhythmia, also has hypothyroidism and takes Synthroid or similar? I’m curious what your experience has been. Has the medication made things worse or better? Do you experience more (cardiac) symptoms since treatments or less?
Tiffw28
in Arrhythmia Alliance

Arrhythmia. and Covid 19

He said his arrhythmia only occured after he had suffered from Covid 19 My question is the vaccines which I surmise contain particles of deactivated covid19 would this aggravate arrhythmia.
He said his arrhythmia only occured after he had suffered from Covid 19 My question is the vaccines which I surmise contain particles of deactivated covid19 would this aggravate arrhythmia.
Aughey
in British Heart Foundation

Arrhythmia aware

Afib awareness. I'm sure some of you have seen the UK news today about heart arrhythmia's. It was on the Midlands local news - young people are dying (in their 20's) because it's not sussed. I've said it before and I'll say it again. There MUST be more awareness about afib or any heart arrhythmia's.
Afib awareness. I'm sure some of you have seen the UK news today about heart arrhythmia's. It was on the Midlands local news - young people are dying (in their 20's) because it's not sussed. I've said it before and I'll say it again. There MUST be more awareness about afib or any heart arrhythmia's.
Paulbounce
in AF Association

Update on A&E dilemma - I went and I’m back 🦋

So my GP is to refer me to a cardiologist (the lack of follow up last year was an administrative error 😡) and I may be referred to the Arrhythmia clinic as well. Come back if I have chest pain or dizziness in the meantime. All great except I’m still stuck in AF until whenever.
So my GP is to refer me to a cardiologist (the lack of follow up last year was an administrative error 😡) and I may be referred to the Arrhythmia clinic as well. Come back if I have chest pain or dizziness in the meantime. All great except I’m still stuck in AF until whenever.
Buffafly
in AF Association

Did you react to the COVID vaccine?

AF or no AF, arrhythmia or no arrhythmia and so on..... And FYI.. https://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/uk/vaccines
AF or no AF, arrhythmia or no arrhythmia and so on..... And FYI.. https://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/uk/vaccines
xr1450
in AF Association

Dental Scaling

Hi all, I have just read an interesting article that makes a connection between heart arrhythmia and gum issues, whilst I have heard of this connection before it stated that on a clinical trail people who had dental scaling once a year had a noticeable decrease in AFib compared to others that had not
Hi all, I have just read an interesting article that makes a connection between heart arrhythmia and gum issues, whilst I have heard of this connection before it stated that on a clinical trail people who had dental scaling once a year had a noticeable decrease in AFib compared to others that had not
karl1524
in AF Association
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