Is Your Heart Skipping A Beat Too Often? Doctor Reveals How It Can Be Arrhythmia Symptoms

Arrhythmia: Have you ever had your heart flutter, race, or skip a beat for no reason at all? Though palpitations can come from stress, caffeine or excitement from time to time, having frequent irregularities in your heartbeat is not something that should be ignored. Many people dismiss these sensations as harmless, but they could be early warning signs that you have arrhythmia - a condition where the heart beats too fast, too slow or unevenly. Arrhythmia can affect blood flow, oxygen levels and overall heart health. Recognising early signs of arrhythmia prevents further complications and aids timely medical intervention for keeping your heart's rhythm and stability intact.

Doctors and experts say arrhythmia tends to start subtly, hence the condition may be hard for the individual to notice until more serious symptoms appear. It can take the form of dizziness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath or an uncomfortable pounding feeling in the chest or throat. These should be warning signals to see a doctor, not something one should just temporarily be concerned about. With increasing cases attributed to stress, modern lifestyle habits and underlying heart disease, learning about arrhythmia and its warning signs is paramount. In conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Pavankumar P Rasalkar, Consultant- Interventional Cardiology, Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, reveals how skipping a heartbeat too often can be associated with arrhythmia and how awareness, regular check-ups and healthy patterns can make all the difference.

What Is Arrhythmia?

The heart beats at a regular rhythm, with a resting heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute. However, in some cases, the heart rate may fluctuate, where it can drop below 60 or rise above 100 even at rest. This condition is known as arrhythmia, which refers to the fluctuation in the heart rate as well as the heart rhythm.

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Certain arrhythmias, like sinus bradycardia or sinus tachycardia, are benign or non-harmful. Dr. Pavankumar P Rasalkar states, “But, at the same time, other arrhythmias can be very risky or life-threatening, such as supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation, requiring close monitoring and management.”

Symptoms Of Arrhythmia

Symptoms of arrhythmias in the early stages may include dizziness, palpitations, and shortness of breath on exertion. Dr. Pavankumar P Rasalkar mentions, “In more severe stages, it can lead to sudden loss of consciousness.” So, if you experience symptoms such as giddiness, breathlessness, palpitations, or a feeling of skipped heartbeats, get yourself evaluated with a cardiologist.

Arrhythmia Treatment Options (Image Credits: Canva)

Treatment Options For Arrhythmia

Most arrhythmias are fully treatable when they are detected during the early stages with medications. Invasive procedures are often carried out in later stages with the help of an electrophysiological study (EPS) and Radio-frequency Ablation (RFA). These procedures target the faulty electrical pathways in the heart and restore normal rhythm.

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Dr. Pavankumar P Rasalkar states that “In certain arrhythmias called bradyarrhythmias, wherein the heart rate is very low, pacemaker implantation may also be necessary to regulate the heartbeat.” A pacemaker ensures the heart maintains a safe and steady rhythm, reducing the risk of fainting or sudden cardiac arrest.

Heart health is mostly about listening to your body and acting upon it if something feels different. Consult a cardiologist as the safest step if your heart skips beats too often or races unexpectedly. Arrhythmia can be effectively treated with timely diagnosis, proper lifestyle modifications, and prescribed treatment in its time.