
Atrial flutterĪn atrial flutter typically occurs in the right atrium, one of your heart’s two upper chambers. It’s the most common arrhythmia.Ītrial fibrillation, or AFib, occurs when many unstable electrical impulses misfire, causing your atria to quiver erratically.ĪFib causes your heart to beat irregularly and can increase your heart rate to 80 to 180 bpm, which is much faster than the typical 60 to 100 bpm. This disorganized heart rhythm occurs in the upper chambers of your heart.

#Causes for irregular heartbeat how to
We offer classes and support groups that focus on the how to care for your heart and vascular system. Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) – Occurs in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles).Ībnormal heart rhythms can cause a wide-range of symptoms.Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs) – Occurs in the upper chambers of the heart (atria).Premature Contraction – early heart beat. Ventricular Fibrillation – A life-threatening condition.Atrial Fibrillation – A manageable condition, a common abnormal heart rhythm.Ventricular Tachycardias – Occurs in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles), can be life-threatening.Sinus Tachycardia – A correctly functioning heart with a faster heart rate.Atrial or Supraventricular Tachycardias – Occurs either in the upper chambers (atria) or the middle region.Damage from a heart attack or heart disease, congenital heart disease, high blood pressure, smoking and other factors can contribute the disruption of impulses. Tachycardia is caused by a disruption of the electrical impulses conducted by the heart. Tachycardia – The heart beats too fast, above 100 bpm.

Aging, hypothermia, damage from a heart attack or heart disease, and other factors can contribute to the disruption of impulses. Bradycardia is caused by a disruption of the electrical impulses conducted by the heart. For athletic individuals, a normal resting heart rate can be below 60 bpm, and not cause problems. Typesīradycardia – The heart beats too slow, below 60 bpm. If some types of abnormal heart rhythms are left untreated, they may even cause sudden cardiac death. In most cases, abnormal heart rhythms are harmless, however, some cases may cause uncomfortable symptoms like dizziness, palpitations, pounding in the chest, fainting, shortness of breath, weakness, or fatigue. As a result, less oxygen reaches other parts of the body and can cause organ damage. When electrical impulses in the heart become too fast, too slow, or irregular they cause the heart to beat irregularly.Ībnormal heart rhythms may cause the heart to pump blood inefficiently causing poor blood circulation in the body. Abnormal heart rhythms can be described as a heart beating too fast (above 100 bpm) or slow (below 60 bpm), a fluttering sensation in the chest area or the skipping of a heart beat. For athletic individuals, a normal resting heart rate may be as low as 40 to 60 bpm. For most, a normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm).

Each year millions of people experience abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), which are common as we age.
