Heart Rhythm Disorders

Also called a cardiac or heart arrhythmia, it occurs when the electrical impulses that trigger each heartbeat are irregular or follow abnormal pathways.

Read our guide to abnormal heart rhythm conditions, including heart arrhythmia symptoms and causes.  

Types of Heart Rhythm Disorders

A normal heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Fast, slow, or irregular beats aren’t always serious. Some common heart rhythm disorders include:

Atrial Fibrillation

Signs: Irregular heartbeat, often faster than your normal rhythm, with palpitations, shortness of breath, or feeling of dizziness.

Commonly, this is linked to other heart conditions such as heart valve disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. Both persistent atrial fibrillation (long-term symptoms) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (occasional symptoms) are treatable.

Tachycardias

Signs: 90 beats per minute

An abnormally fast heartbeat characterises this heart rhythm disorder. It originates above the ventricles for minutes and even hours.

Bradycardias

Signs: Slower heartbeat than usual, sometimes below 60 beats per minute for prolonged periods.

A slow heart rate can become a bigger issue if the heart doesn’t pump enough oxygen to the rest of the body. You can experience Bradycardia during deep sleep or when physically active, with a low resting heart rate.

Atrial Flutter

Signs: Possible heart palpitations and feeling faint

Atrial flutter happens when the atria contract at a high speed, often much faster than the ventricles. This abnormal arrhythmia, where the atria and the ventricles beat differently, can cause palpitations and a feeling of faintness.

Ventricular Fibrillation

Signs: Include sudden collapse, loss of consciousness and no detectable pulse

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder where the lower chambers beat chaotically and stop pumping blood effectively. This type of ventricular arrhythmia requires immediate emergency treatment.

Irregular Heart Rhythms Causes & Risk Factors

There are several common causes that can lead to an irregular heartbeat, some of which are inherited  and may not show until later into adult life.

Heart arrhythmia can be triggered by:

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
• Heart failure
• Underlying heart disease, such as coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscle)
• Overactive thyroid gland

Risk factors include:

• Sleep apnea
• High respiratory rate
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle
• High levels of sodium, potassium and calcium
• Pregnancy

Abnormal Heart Rhythm Complications

An untreated abnormal heart rhythm can lead to complications like:

• Cardiac arrest
• Stroke
• Sudden cardiac death

Irregular Heartbeat Symptoms

There are many irregular heartbeat causes to be aware of, but some of the most common irregular heartbeat symptoms include:

• Palpitations, such as a thumping or fluttering sensation in your chest
• Feeling tired or fatigued
• Shortness of breath
• Discomfort or chest pain
• Dizziness or feeling faint

When to Consult a Doctor for an Abnormal Heart Rhythm

Whilst some of these irregular heartbeat symptoms may dissipate after a short period, you should seek medical advice if:

• Severe symptoms last a long time and start to get more frequent or worse
• You are related to a history of heart rhythm problems in your family
• Your heart rhythm disorder symptoms are unusual, and the cause you can’t explain them

You should seek immediate medical care if you experience any irregular heartbeat symptoms and heart palpitations at the same time.

Diagnosing Heart Rhythm Disorders

Here at The Keyhole Heart Clinic, we can assist in the diagnosis of palpitations being experienced, as well as provide irregular heartbeat treatment if necessary, through heart screening.

We’ll be able to run tests such as an:

Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the rhythm, rate and electrical activity of your heart based on the symptoms you describe when booking a consultation. An ECG should only take a few minutes to complete and will provide us with plenty of information and insight into the function of your heart. that will

From there, we will be able to accurately diagnose whether you have a heart rhythm disorder and what next steps need to be taken.

Heart Rhythm Disorder Treatment

Heart arrhythmia treatment options depend on the severity and type of condition.  In many cases, lifestyle changes and medication are enough, as having a heart arrhythmia doesn’t necessarily mean surgery is needed.

Options include medications, procedures, and devices to control an abnormal rhythm and reduce complications like blood clots.

Lifestyle Changes

We will assess the seriousness of your heart rhythm disorder and recommend the best approach. This may include:

• Adjusting caffeine intake
• Balancing exercise and physical activity
• Minimising exposure to emotional stress and stressful situations, such as driving or working
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight

Medication

Antiarrhythmic drugs are grouped into four main classes, depending on how they affect your heart’s electrical signals:

1. Sodium channel blockers: Help stabilise the heart’s rhythm (e.g., lidocaine, flecainide, propafenone).
2. Beta-blockers: Slow the heart rate and reduce the effects of stress hormones (e.g., atenolol, metoprolol).
3. Potassium channel blockers: Help maintain a steady rhythm (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol, ibutilide).
4. Calcium channel blockers: Relaxes the heart and slows electrical conduction (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil).

For atrial fibrillation (AF), doctors may choose to use one of two approaches:

• Rate control: Slows the heart rate
• Rhythm control: Restores and maintains normal rhythm

Procedures & Devices

However, if your irregular heartbeat symptoms are more severe or advanced, undergoing treatment such as Heart Rhythm Ablation. Our approach with keyhole surgery aims to correct the electrical signals that are causing the abnormal heartbeats.

Other treatments may help:

• Electrical cardioversion to reset the heart rhythm
• Catheter ablation to correct abnormal signals
• Pacemakers and ICDs to regulate or protect the heart

Our Heart Rhythm Disorder Services

We offer a fully electrophysiology service for both diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders using the most advanced techniques available.

This service includes:

• Diagnosis of palpitations
• Remote monitoring devices
• Newest pacemaker implantation
• Biventricular pacemakers
• Complex lead removal
• Heart rhythm ablation
• Heart health dietitian services

We specialise in various abnormal heart rhythm disorders, such as:

• Chronic atrial fibrillation
• Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
• Atrial flutter
• Supraventricular tachycardias
• Complex rhythm disorders

Whether you are experiencing mild symptoms or unsure if your heart rhythm is functioning normally throughout the day, we are here to investigate and treat any heart arrhythmia issues.

Keyhole Heart Clinic: World-Class Irregular Heartbeat Treatment

At The Keyhole Heart Clinic, we have some of the world’s leading heart surgeons and cardiologists who provide expert medical advice and support on all heart disorders.

We’ll assist you in diagnosis and the regular monitoring of any heart arrhythmia you may have, including the use of the latest remote monitoring devices, and advise if keyhole surgery or any pacemaker implantation is the best solution.

Find out more about other Heart Conditions and Services we provide here, as well as patient testimonials for more on our patients’ experiences.

Get in touch with our expert team today and book a consultation if you are concerned about heart rhythm disorders or if you have experienced severe symptoms.