Arrhythmia is a heart rhythm problem caused by a disturbance in the electrical impulses to the heart. It can cause symptoms such as heart palpitations, a fast or slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Heart arrhythmia treatments at UPMC include medication, cardioversion, minimally invasive ablation therapy, and surgery.
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Doctors define arrhythmia as any type of abnormal heart rhythm. During arrhythmia, your heart beats:
Almost everyone experiences an occasional skipped heartbeat, fluttering, or racing heart. Most arrhythmias are harmless and don’t happen often. Some people have arrhythmias that are bothersome and sometimes dangerous.
Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. It affects nearly 6 million Americans and nearly 10 percent of Americans over the age of 75. Other cardiac arrhythmias include:
Abnormal heart rhythms are caused by changes in the electrical impulses in your heart.
Cardiac arrhythmias can occur in people who have an otherwise normal heart. They can also occur along with other heart conditions, such as congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease. Untreated high blood pressure (hypertension), sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders also increase your risk.
Certain over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs, as well as excessive alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and illegal drugs also can lead to the development of cardiac arrhythmias.
If left untreated, arrhythmias may increase your risk of developing heart failure, which happens when your heart cannot pump enough blood for your body or blood clots that can lead to a stroke.
Some arrhythmias can be harmless, but others can be very serious — and even deadly.
Preventing heart disease and chronic conditions can reduce the chances that you will develop a cardiac arrhythmia. Exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains also can help lower your risk. You also should:
Cardiac arrhythmias cause noticeable symptoms for most people. However, some people with cardiac arrhythmias may not notice any symptoms. Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia may include:
Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any arrhythmia symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or if you think you might be having a heart attack, dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.
At UPMC, your initial evaluation for arrhythmia includes:
During your exam, your doctor will listen to your heart with a stethoscope.
Following your exam, your doctor may order additional tests to help confirm an arrhythmia diagnosis. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to expect your test results and will call you when they're available.
We offer a full range of tests for arrhythmia, including:
Arrhythmia is a common, treatable condition. With proper treatment, most people with arrhythmia are able to control symptoms and live a normal, active life.
Some types of arrhythmia may come and go, or go away without treatment. Other types of arrhythmia may go away with treatment. In some cases, arrhythmia may return and require additional treatment.
At UPMC, the goals of arrhythmia treatment are to:
Some less-serious types of arrhythmia do not require treatment, but you should have regular checkups. If you do require treatment, your doctor may prescribe heart arrhythmia medications to control your irregular heartbeat.
Medications can be used to control your heart rhythm and prevent blood clots that can lead to a stroke.
Medications to slow your heart rate include:
Medications to maintain your regular heart rhythm include:
Blood-thinning medications to prevent clot formation and help reduce your risk of stroke include:
If your doctor prescribes blood thinners for you, UPMC offers a telephone-based anticoagulation clinic to help regulate your blood-thinner dosage.
At UPMC, our cardiologists are experts at managing and treating arrhythmia. Your doctors will recommend the treatment that is most likely to be effective for your heart rhythm disorder while considering your lifestyle, preferences, and overall health.
Our experts use leading-edge technology and techniques to diagnose and treat hundreds of cases of cardiac arrhythmias each year. Our doctors are performing research into the underlying causes of heart arrhythmias and are using their discoveries to develop improved methods for diagnosing and treating them.
Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-10-01.
