If you experience irregular heartbeats, it can be an indication of heart rhythm problems, are arrhythmias or dysrhythmias. This occurs when the SA node, the heart’s natural pacemaker, loses control of the electrical impulses that makes your heart pump. This interrupts your heart’s normal heartbeat rhythm and forces it to work less efficiently. These interruptions are usually described as a “fluttering”, “racing” heart, or skipped heartbeats.
Causes
This condition can be the result of various conditions, including not enough oxygen in the heart, damage to the heart muscle, to heart valve disease.
Prevention
Living a heart-healthy life can maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure, keep arteries clear, and prevent carotid artery disease.
- Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat proteins like nuts and fish
- Exercise regularly
- Keep your weight and diabetes under control
- Quit smoking
- Drink less alcohol and caffeine
- Be wary of stimulants in cough and cold medicines, as they may contain ingredients that stresses the problem.
Diagnostic Tests
- 3D Echo
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Echocardiography
- Electrocardiograms (EKG, ECG)
- Electrophysiology Study (EP)
- Intracardiac Echo (ICE)
- Stress Testing
