Irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia is a condition that many people around the world are faced with each and every single day.
Changes to your heartbeat are the first and most obvious sign of concern.
Your heartbeat can change to fast and slow in a minute.
However, aside from changes to your heartbeat, there are other underestimated symptoms you simply cannot ignore.
Here are six symptoms that if you notice them, you should consult with a physician for further treatment.
Fluttering
Irregular heartbeat sometimes results with “fluttering sensation” in the area of the chest or the neck.
Any alternation that is swaying away from the normal sequence is problematic, and if you feel fluttering sensations in your chest, neck, or even abdomen area, seeking medical help is recommended.
Dizziness
Whenever they have dizziness or lightheadedness, most people think it is just stress and it will pass away.
But every now and then, dizziness is a sign of irregular heartbeat and it is a symptom you should not ignore.
Dizziness is a result of lack of oxygen into the brain.
Some types of arrhythmias can also cause light-headedness.
The two most common are atrial fibrillation and bradycardia.
The latter is a condition that causes low heart beat and the result is lack of blood supply for organs in the body.
The first one, atrial fibrillation is a condition, or a tachycardia, when the activity in the atria is accelerated.
Fainting
Dizziness is often accompanied by fainting, or in some dangerous arrhythmia cases, collapse.
Usually, fainting happens as a warning, indicating that a collapse is possible in the near future.
Therefore, if you experience frequent fainting, visit your physician and consult him what can you do to balance your irregular heartbeat.
Shortness of breath
Since your heart is pumping and releasing less and less blood to your body, you’ll have troubles breathing as your lungs are not receiving enough blood and oxygen.
All types of arrhythmia cause shortness of breath, but this symptom is mostly linked with the Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome, a tachycardia that often results in irregular heartbeat.
Chest pain
Irregular heartbeat, especial rapid heartbeat can sometimes result in ventricular fibrillation, a deadly type of arrhythmia.
The first symptom is chest pain, as the arrhythmia cuts off the routes for blood supply to all your vital organs.
Fatigue
All types of arrhythmia cause lack of blood supply to your vital organs.
Sometimes, the result is chest pain, shortness of breath, or sometimes, the result is fatigue.
You will feel like your body is drained, like you have no energy, and you cannot find a reason behind it.
Sometimes even more sleep doesn’t help, as there is simply not enough blood and oxygen to get your juices running.
What can you do?
If your goal is to control cardiac arrhythmias, there are several things you should.
Here are some of the most important:
- Avoid foods that worsen your arrhythmias, such as coffee and other caffeine containing products, alcohol and appetite suppressants
- Stay away from problematic medications and drugs, cold and cough medications especially
- Reduce your blood pressure by incorporating some cardiovascular exercises in your daily regime. Reducing your high blood pressure goes a long way in reducing the risk of stroke due to the arrhythmias
- Lose weight by doing more exercise. Regular exercise will improve your overall health, and help with your irregular heartbeat as well
If everything else fails, and you are still bothered by irregular heartbeat, seek treatment from a registered physician.
