Heart Conditions

Heart Rhythm Disorders

Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmia) cause your heart to beat too fast or too slow. Sometimes, it may beat with an abnormal rhythm.

Heart block is a disorder affecting the heart’s electrical system, which controls your heart rate and rhythm. In a heart block, the electrical signals are partially or completely disrupted. Advancing age and coronary artery disease are the two common causes of heart block. Other causes can include cardiomyopathies, certain cancers, autoimmune disorders, and high potassium levels.

Symptoms of heart block can incl:

  • Fainting
  • Dizziness
  • Chest pain
  • Tiredness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Heart palpitations
  • Rapid breathing
  • Nausea

 

Diagnosis involves a physical examination, ECG, and a machine that continuously checks your heartbeat (Holter monitor). Treatment may not be necessary in some cases. In others, you may need a pacemaker (a device that helps maintain normal heart rate and rhythm).

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is when your heart beats too fast, typically 150 to 220 times a minute. It is caused by impaired signalling in the heart. As a result, the heartbeat starts earlier than usual in the heart’s upper chambers and increases heart rate. Coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, heart failure, congenital heart disease, and previous heart surgery can increase the risk of SVT.

Symptoms can incl:

  • Palpitations
  • A pounding sensation in the neck
  • Chest pain
  • Fainting
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Weakness

 

Diagnosis involves a physical examination, blood tests, ECG, echocardiogram, and a machine that continuously checks your heartbeat (Holter monitor). Most people with SVT don’t need treatment. If the problem persists or happens often, you may need a catheter ablation procedure.

Atrial flutter is when faulty signalling in the heart causes the upper chambers to pump rapidly. Advancing age is the number one cause of atrial flutter. Other causes include previous heart surgery and a procedure to treat atrial fibrillation (catheter ablation).

Symptoms can incl:

  • Stroke
  • Palpitations
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue

 

Atrial flutter is usually diagnosed using ECG. Your doctor may also recommend a machine that continuously checks your heartbeat (Holter monitor). Treatment includes treatment of underlying conditions, medications (antiarrhythmics), drugs to prevent blood clots and catheter ablation.

Atrial fibrillation is when faulty signalling in the heart causes your heart to beat too fast, often in a chaotic manner. It begins in the heart’s upper chambers (atria). Coronary artery disease and high blood pressure are the major causes of atrial fibrillation. Having a family member with the condition also increases your risk.

Symptoms can incl:

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Palpitations
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain

 

Diagnosis involves listening to the heart rhythm, measuring blood pressure and pulse, and checking for heart failure, thyroid problems, and infection. Diagnostic tests may include ECG, echocardiogram, and blood tests. Treatment includes medications to control rhythm and prevent blood clots. If your condition doesn’t improve with medications, you may need a pacemaker or procedures like pulmonary vein ablation.

Ventricular tachycardia is when your heart’s lower chambers (ventricles) beat too fast. In most cases, the cause is impaired electrical signalling due to scar tissue in the heart. It may also be caused by a heart attack, heart failure, or heart valve disease.

Symptoms of ventricular tachycardia incl:

  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cardiac arrest

 

To confirm a diagnosis, your doctor may order an ECG, Holter monitor and portable ECG. They may also recommend other tests, such as chest X-ray, echocardiogram, stress tests, MRI, or CT. Treatment includes medications to slow your heart rate and surgery to restore the heartbeat. You may need a pacemaker if other treatments fail.