How a life-changing cardiac procedure stopped Kirti worrying about her heart health. Kirti first felt a heart palpitation back in 2016 whilst out shopping. After delaying seeking specialist advice, she sought the expertise of Dr Mike Koa-Wing, Consultant Cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, in 2020 after the palpations got worse. Here Kirti shares her story.
Cardiac arrhythmia
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
Jump to
Cardiac arrhythmia at HCA UK
Why choose us?
There’s a reason we’re the UK’s No.1 for private cardiac care. Our 225 cardiac consultants treat more than 36,000 cardiac arrhythmia patients each year, more than any other private providers in the UK.
This experience helps us deliver extraordinary patient outcomes, including a surgical success rate of 99%. It’s also why 99% of patients would recommend us to their friends and family. From state-of-the-art diagnostic units and surgical theatres to specialised intensive care units, you'll receive access to expert, fully personalised treatment throughout our extensive network of hospitals and outpatient centres.
Cardiac arrhythmia affects more than one million people in the UK, causing the heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly.
While many people with heart arrhythmias are able to lead normal lives with proper diagnosis, some cases may require close monitoring and treatment with medication, procedures or positive lifestyle changes. Whatever your symptoms or condition, we're here to offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for heart rhythm abnormalities.
Cardiac arrhythmia symptoms vary depending on the type of heart rhythm issues you’re experiencing. It’s important to note that experiencing these symptoms doesn't always mean you have an arrhythmia.
Common symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia include:
- Anxiety
- Blackouts, fainting or feeling faint
- Chest pain
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed
- Palpitations such as a racing, fluttering or pounding heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Tiredness or fatigue
It's also important to note that some arrhythmias are silent, but can still be detected through testing. If you have any concerns, please speak to a specialist.
Cardiac arrhythmias can be grouped by where they start in your heart. Ventricular arrhythmias occur in the lower chambers, while supraventricular arrhythmias begin in the upper chambers. They can also be grouped by their effect on your resting heart rate.
Tachycardia is a fast heartbeat of over 100 beats per minute, while bradycardia is a slow heartbeat of below 60 beats per minute. Bradycardia may reduce the heart's ability to pump enough blood throughout your body.
The main forms of tachycardias are:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF)
- Atrial flutter
- Atrial tachycardia
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
- Torsades de pointes
- Ventricular Extrasystoles
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
- Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome
The two forms of bradycardias are:
Worried about your symptoms? You can book a consultation today.
Cardiac arrhythmias can occur in people of all ages, but they are often manageable with the right care. They happen due to changes in the electrical signals that control your heartbeat. These changes can be influenced by a variety of factors, including:
- Caffeine, nicotine, illegal drug use and other stimulants that increase your heartbeat
- Cardiomyopathy
- Certain medicines and supplements, including some used for colds and allergies
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Heart problems such as heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Previous cardiac surgery
- Severe infection with COVID-19
- Sleep apnoea
- Underactive and overactive thyroid
100+
heart rhythm specialist consultants to choose from
36,000
cardiac patients treated per year
15
diagnostic centres across the HCA UK network
Next-day appointments
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis in as little as 24 hours.
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours.*
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any one of 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Worried about your heart rate and don’t know what to do?
Get in touch with and book a same- or next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some advice?
Talk to a cardiologist and get the answers you’ve been looking for.
Cardiac arrhythmia tests and scans at HCA UK
State-of-the-art diagnostics with quick results
Your health is our priority – that's why we continually invest in our facilities and technology. It’s the reason that ours is the most comprehensive private cardiac diagnostics network in the UK, with access to the latest tests and scans.
Our experience and expertise are unrivalled. In just three years, we carried out more than 75,000 electrocardiograms and over 62,000 echocardiograms. If you’re worried about your heart, we offer appointments in as little as 24 hours, plus same-day tests and results within 48 hours.
Our cardiac arrhythmia tests include:
Cardiac treatments at HCA UK
Expert care, excellent outcomes
We treat more cases than any other private provider in the UK. In just three years, our team carried out 2,100 cardiac surgeries and fitted 885 pacemakers. And our 99% success rate across all cardiac surgery means our patients enjoy peace of mind, as well as exceptional treatment.
If you've been diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia, you’ll have access to a wide range of effective treatment options. You’ll also have some of the UK’s leading cardiac specialists dedicated to your care, with fully personalised treatment plans tailored to your individual needs.
Our cardiac arrhythmia treatments include:
- Medicines to control your heart rate
- Blood thinners to prevent clots
- Medications for related conditions
- Vagal Manoeuvres
- Electrical cardioversion
- Pacemakers
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillators
- Catheter ablation
- Maze procedure
- Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
Get started
See an arrhythmia specialist in as little as 24 hours
We’ll do everything we can to fit around your schedule – including offering virtual appointments should you need one. However, if you can see a consultant in person, it helps us to make an accurate assessment of your condition and ensure you’re getting the care you need as soon as you need it.
Don’t have a referral? Don’t worry.
Our private GPs can refer you to the right specialist for expert diagnosis. You can often get a same- or next-day appointment, so get in touch and see how we can help.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Cardiac arrhythmia FAQs
Possible complications vary depending on the type of cardiac arrhythmia you have and its underlying causes. If left undiagnosed and/or untreated, the risks may include:
- Weakening of your heart muscle, known as cardiomyopathy
- Blood clots, possibly leading to stroke or pulmonary embolism
- Heart failure
- Sudden death
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 acts 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. Sometimes this is asymptomatic, meaning you might not notice anything at all.
Knowing 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 typical for most adults, with some high-performance athletes having a heart 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.
Cardiac arrhythmia 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.
It's not always possible to stop arrhythmias from 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 body weight
- Controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Getting good sleep
- Managing stress
Your consultant will discuss any relevant lifestyle management options with you in greater detail.
Many arrhythmias are manageable with the right diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle choices, allowing you to live largely as normal. For some people, it might mean having to look at how they manage practical aspects of their lifestyles, 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 talk you through any implications your condition may have in greater detail.
Our patients' stories
Kirti's heart rhythm story
Treating Helaina's heart rhythm disorder
Helaina from Northamptonshire was just 16 when she began experiencing unusual symptoms, including shortness of breath and heart palpitations, which rapidly worsened. She was otherwise fit, healthy and a huge lover of the great outdoors, leading to her family to grow concerned.
How a valve replacement helped Steve breathe easy again
When Steve found out his breathlessness was caused by a narrowed aortic valve, he was terrified of the thought of the open-heart surgery that might be needed to treat it. But with the expertise of Professor Sagar Doshi at The Harborne Hospital, he learned he could have a ‘keyhole’ alternative called TAVI.
“The staff were incredible. They are the best. Every step was explained…”
Reviewed by
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.