Symptoms of Arrhythmia - Serious

What are the symptoms of an arrhythmia?

Most people have felt their heart beat very fast, experienced a fluttering in their chest, or noticed that their heart skipped a beat. Almost everyone has also felt dizzy, faint, or out of breath or had chest pains at one time or another. Symptoms may include:
• palpitations (increased awareness of the heart beating faster) This is often the only symptom for most people.
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• lightheadedness or fainting
• fatigue or weakness

You should not panic if you experience a few flutters or your heart races occasionally. But if you have questions about your heart rhythm or symptoms, check with your doctor.


Are arrhythmias serious?

Many arrhythmias occur in people who do not have underlying heart disease. The vast majority of people with arrhythmias have nothing to fear. They do not need extensive exams or special treatments for their condition.

In some people, arrhythmias are associated with heart disease. In these cases, heart disease, not the arrhythmia, poses the greatest risk to the patient.

In a very small number of people with serious symptoms, arrhythmias themselves are dangerous. These arrhythmias require medical treatment to keep the heartbeat regular. For example, a few people have a very slow or fast heartbeat. These patients may have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness or fainting because the heart is not pumping enough blood to the body. If left untreated, the heart may stop beating and these people could die.