Andrew, 58, was training for a triathlon when he had his first occurrence of atrial fibrillation, causing palpitations and shortness of breath.
Cardiac arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is any disturbance of the normal electrical activity of your heart, causing an irregular or abnormally fast or slow heartbeat. They’re common and often highly treatable or manageable.
At HCA UK , we provide comprehensive care for all types of this condition from tests to treatment:
- Appointment confirmed with a cardiologist within 24 hours
- Comprehensive arrhythmia diagnostics and treatment options
- Ranked no.1 in the UK for private cardiac care, including electrophysiology
- 99% of cardiac patients recommend us to friends and family
What are cardiac arrhythmia symptoms?
Heart arrhythmia symptoms vary in type and severity depending on the type of heart rhythm problem you have. Having these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have an arrhythmia. Some arrhythmias are 'silent'; they don't cause obvious symptoms but can still be detected through testing.
Common symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Blackouts, fainting or feeling faint
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Feeling that your heart is racing, fluttering or pounding, also known as palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Tiredness or fatigue
When to see a specialist
You should see a doctor if you feel different sensations in your chest, notice your heart is beating faster or slower than normal or skipping a beat – particularly if your symptoms last a long time and don't improve. You may be referred to a cardiologist who specialises in heart disease and abnormalities. You can also make an appointment directly with one of our leading arrhythmia specialists for diagnosis and treatment.
Dial 999 for emergency medical care if you experience palpitations along with chest pain, shortness of breath and feeling faint.
Ranked number 1 for private cardiac arrhythmia care
- Leading care: We care for over 25,000 cardiac patients annually, more than any other private provider in the UK, with 99% recommending us to friends or family. Our experience helps us deliver better outcomes, including a survival rate of over 99% for all cardiac procedures.
- Specialists in cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment: If you're experiencing symptoms or want a check-up for peace of mind, we'll confirm an appointment with a cardiologist within 24 hours. Ours is the UK's most comprehensive cardiac diagnostics network, offering tests on the day of your appointment and results within two working days to discuss with our experts.
- Comprehensive treatment options: Should you need treatment, we offer effective options for all types of cardiac arrhythmia including highly complex and innovative procedures, tailored to your needs.
- Renowned consultants: We have over 225 cardiologists working across our hospitals, many of whom also work at NHS teaching hospitals. They're supported by multidisciplinary specialists who work together to ensure you receive the best possible care.
- High-quality facilities and technology: From diagnostic units to surgical theatres and intensive care units, our cutting-edge private hospitals and outpatient centres provide the very best facilities and technology for your care.
*Based on number of private cardiac cases treated and patient satisfaction surveys
What is cardiac arrhythmia?
Cardiac arrhythmia, also known as cardiac dysrhythmia is a broad term for several conditions caused by an irregular heartbeat. Over a million people in the UK experience heart rhythm problems.
Many people with heart arrhythmias are able to lead normal lives with proper diagnosis. But these conditions can be life-changing or life-threatening, requiring monitoring and treatment with medication, procedures and/or positive lifestyle changes. Whatever your symptoms or condition, we offer comprehensive testing and care for heart rhythm abnormalities.
How do arrhythmias occur?
Knowing how your heart works can help with understanding arrhythmias. Your heart has four chambers:
- Two upper chambers known as the atria which collect blood
- Two lower chambers called ventricles which receive blood from the atria and pump it to the rest of your body
A group of cells in the right atrium called the sinus node act as your heart's natural pacemaker, providing electrical impulses that make your heart contract and pump blood. The lower chambers beat slightly after the upper chambers to ensure blood travels in the correct direction. This is controlled by the atrioventricular (AV) node, which is located between the atria and ventricles.
Arrhythmias occur when these impulses and beats don't work properly. You may feel like your heart skips or adds a beat or is beating too fast or too slow. You might not notice anything at all.
What is a normal heart rate?
Familiarity with your regular heartbeat can help you notice cardiac arrhythmia symptoms.
A regular heart rhythm should feel like a steady, consistent drum beat. A resting rate of around 60-100 beats per minute is normal for most adults, with some high-performance athletes having a rate in the 40s or even lower.
Different factors can change how electrical signals travel through your heart, causing it to pump faster, slower or in an inconsistent pattern.
Is cardiac arrhythmia a heart attack?
Arrhythmias and heart attacks can have similar warning signs. Heart attacks often start slowly, with other symptoms including chest pain or pressure, discomfort in your upper body and shortness of breath. If you think you or someone you know may be having a heart attack, call 999 for emergency help.
What are the types of cardiac arrhythmia?
Arrhythmias can be grouped by where they start in your heart – ventricular in the lower chambers and supraventricular in the upper chambers – or by how they affect your resting heart rate. Tachycardia is a fast heartbeat of over 100 beats per minute. Bradycardia is a slow heartbeat of below 60 beats per minute.
The main forms of tachycardias are:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF): This is the most common arrhythmia and occurs when faulty signals from your heart's upper chambers cause it to beat irregularly and faster than normal.
- Atrial flutter: Similar to atrial fibrillation, but the upper chambers of the heart regularly beat out of rhythm with the lower chambers.
- Atrial tachycardia: A fast, irregular heart rhythm caused by abnormal signals from your heart's upper chambers.
- Supraventricular tachycardia: Episodes of a very fast heart rhythm, typically due to electrical impulses not travelling correctly between the top and bottom chambers of your heart. It's more prevalent in younger people.
- Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome: A congenital heart condition (present from birth) which can cause the heart to suddenly develop an SVT.
- Ventricular extrasystoles: Also known as premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), these are extra beats that are typically harmless.
Bradycardia occurs when your heart isn't pumping enough blood around your body. It's more common in older people and athletes. This may not necessarily be an issue if you are physically fit.
The two main forms of bradycardia are:
- Sick sinus syndrome: An issue with the sinus node that typically affects the heart's upper chambers, causing an overly slow heartbeat.
- Heart block: A slow heartbeat caused by a delay or blockage in your heart's electrical conduction. They're more frequent in older people and individuals with underlying heart conditions.
What are the causes of cardiac arrhythmia?
Cardiac arrhythmias can affect all age groups. They are caused by changes in the electrical signals that travel through your heart. Underlying reasons for these changes include:
Cardiac arrhythmias can affect all age groups. They are caused by changes in the electrical signals that travel through your heart. Underlying reasons for these changes include:
- Coronary artery disease (blocked arteries)
- Other previous heart problems such as heart attack
- Previous heart surgery
- Cardiomyopathy, diseases that cause changes to the heart muscle
- High blood pressure, which increases risk of coronary heart disease or can change how electrical signals travel through your heart
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease, both overactive and underactive
- Sleep apnoea, a condition causing pauses in your breathing while sleeping
- Severe infection with COVID-19
- Electrolyte imbalance, which can interfere with your heart signals
- Certain medicines and supplements, including some used for colds and allergies
- Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- Caffeine, nicotine and illegal drug use – or taking other stimulants that can cause your heart to beat faster
Your risk can also increase depending on your age and genetics. Sometimes there's no clear heart arrhythmia cause.
Cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis
There are several tests that can confirm or rule out a heart arrhythmia diagnosis. Your doctor may carry out one or more of them depending on your symptoms, medical history and a physical examination which involves taking your pulse and listening to your heart.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity of your heart while you rest through sensors attached to your body and connected to a machine.
- An ambulatory electrocardiogram, also known as a Holter monitor (though these devices are becoming outdated, typically replaced with a more discreet Zio patch). This is a portable ECG designed to be worn continuously for a day or more as determined by your consultant to record your heart's activity during your daily routine.
- An event recorder, an ECG designed to be worn for a longer period of time. You may be able to press a button when symptoms occur to provide further insight to your medical team.
- Echocardiogram, an ultrasound scan that checks the structure and function of your heart muscle and valves.
- Implantable loop recorder, a small device inserted under your skin to constantly record information about your heart's electrical activity over time. It's sometimes used when palpitations don't occur regularly.
- Electrophysiology (EP) studies that map your heart's electrical activity to help identify the source of the problem and determine appropriate cardiac arrhythmia treatments.
- Cardiac stress test, used to check how your heart reacts to exercise, such as gradually increasing the difficulty of walking on a treadmill.
You may repeat these tests over time to monitor how an arrhythmia responds to treatment.
These tests may be available to people who have not experienced symptoms but are keen to understand their heart health. Risk factors such as age or family history may be considered. You can book an appointment or contact us if you would like more information on your cardiac condition.
Get an accurate cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis without delay
Ours is the most comprehensive cardiac diagnostics network in the UK, providing all the latest tests including over 75,000 ECGs and over 62,000 echocardiograms in the last three years. If you think you may have an arrhythmia, we offer appointments within 24 hours, same-day tests and results within 48 hours.
Cardiac arrhythmia treatments
There are a range of effective heart arrhythmia treatments available. The most suitable option(s) for you will depend on your type of arrhythmia, whether it's fast or slow, as well as any underlying causes, potential complications and how your arrhythmia has responded to other treatments. Some arrhythmias don't require treatment and may be safely monitored through check-ups instead. Common treatments for cardiac arrhythmia include medication, therapies, devices and surgery.
Heart arrhythmia medications include:
- Medicines to control your heart rate
- Blood thinners to prevent blood clots
- Medications for related conditions that may be causing your arrhythmia
Therapies used to treat certain arrhythmias include:
- Vagal manoeuvres, which are actions – such as coughing and placing an ice pack on your skin – used to slow your heart rate by affecting the vagus nerve.
- Electrical cardioversion, using paddles or patches on your chest to give your heart a safe electric shock and reset its rhythm. It's typically used to treat atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and ventricular tachycardia.
Your consultant may recommend having a device safely inserted into your body to regulate your heartbeat:
- Pacemakers are small devices that send electrical impulses to your heart to keep it from beating too slowly.
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillators monitor your heart rhythm and provide shocks to return it to a normal rate when an abnormally fast rhythm is detected.
Surgery may be needed to stop or prevent irregular heartbeats when other treatments aren't suitable or successful. Procedures include:
- Catheter ablation, placing one or more catheters (small tubes) into your heart's blood vessels to block irregular heart signals and correct your heartbeat.
- A maze procedure can correct a fast heartbeat by creating scar tissue that faulty electronic signals can't pass through.
- Coronary artery bypass surgery is used to treat coronary heart disease, a potential cause of arrhythmia, by creating a new path for blood to flow around a blocked artery.
The most effective arrhythmia treatment for you
If you receive an arrhythmia diagnosis and need treatment, our specialists will recommend the most effective options for you. We treat more cases than any other private provider in the UK, including 2,100 cardiac surgeries and 885 pacemakers fitted in the past three years. Our unrivalled experience ensures the best outcome for every individual.
Potential complications of arrhythmia
Possible complications vary based on the type of arrhythmia you have and its underlying causes. If arrhythmia of the heart is left undiagnosed and/or untreated, risks include:
- Weakening of your heart muscle, known as cardiomyopathy
- Blood clots, possibly leading to stroke or pulmonary embolism
- Heart failure
- Sudden death
Can you prevent arrhythmia?
It's not always possible to stop arrhythmias occurring, but certain lifestyle changes can reduce your risk:
- Eating a heart-healthy diet, low in salt and saturated fat
- Getting regular exercise
- Stopping smoking
- Maintaining a healthy bodyweight
- Controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Getting good sleep
- Managing stress
Your consultant will discuss any relevant options for you and how you can achieve them in greater detail.
Living with heart arrhythmia
Many arrhythmias are manageable with the right diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle choices, allowing you to live largely as normal. You may need to consider practical elements such as driving and working.
If your arrhythmia affects your ability to drive, you must tell your insurance company and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Any work implications will depend on your role, for example, if you operate machinery or work at height. Your cardiologist will be able to advise you on both fronts.
Patient stories
Swimmer overcomes atrial fibrillation with gold medal glory
Chris's story: Atrial fibrillation
Since he was a teenager, Chris (now 44) had suffered from an irregular heartbeat. Whenever his heart would beat too fast, he was told he was having a panic attack.
Find a cardiologist
We're proud to work with leading cardiac experts who specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and management of heart arrhythmias. Use our consultant finder tool to view their individual expertise and experience and book an appointment directly. Alternatively, we'll connect you with the right specialist based on symptom or diagnosis when you request an appointment.
Book an appointment with a cardiac specialist
If you're experiencing heart arrhythmia symptoms, you can request an appointment below and have it confirmed within one working day.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.