When the heart does not beat in an organized manner, it is referred to as arrhythmia. This can manifest as a heartbeat that is too fast, too slow, or erratic. Though an irregular pulsation of the heart is not always a serious condition, sometimes it may indicate a risk for cardiac arrest. Arrhythmia can be effectively treated, and most people can live normal lives. Here is everything that one should know about this condition.

Symptoms
An arrhythmia can be silent. There might be no evident symptoms of the condition, which may be noticeable only during a physical exam. However, some common signs of the condition may include:

Palpitations
A person with an irregular heartbeat may feel their heart skipping a beat, fluttering, or pounding.

Dizziness
Arrhythmia can cause dizziness. If the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the brain, it may result in dizziness that may last for a few seconds.

Fatigue or weakness
When the heart does not pump in a normal rhythm, it can result in weakness over time.

Shortness of breath
Erratic heartbeats can cause shortness of breath even while resting.

Chest pain
When the heart is not beating in the proper rhythm, it may sometimes cause chest discomfort or pain that may come and go.

Sudden cardiac arrest
In extreme cases, the heart may stop beating, leading to sudden cardiac arrest.

Causes
Here are a few common causes of arrhythmia:

Problems with the heart’s electrical signals
The heartbeat depends on the electrical signals of the heart. Any problem with it can cause an irregular rhythm.

Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease can also lead to complications like arrhythmia.

Electrolytes imbalance in the blood
An imbalance of electrolytes like sodium or potassium can also cause irregular heartbeats.

Changes to the heart’s structure
Cardiomyopathy is a disease that can cause changes to the heart’s structure leading to abnormal heart rhythm.

Treatment
The treatment of arrhythmia largely depends on the type. Some of the therapies for the condition include:

Cardioversion
The treatment aims to restore a normal heart rhythm by sending controlled electric signals to the heart. This is done by placing electrodes on the chest.

Catheter ablation
This treatment uses radiofrequency ablation (heat) or cryoablation (freezing) to restore normal heart rhythms. In this procedure, electrical pathways that are causing abnormal heartbeat are blocked.

Inserting certain devices
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker is inserted in the heart to treat arrhythmia. ICD monitors heart rhythms and, on detection of abnormalities, sends electrical pulses to make the heartbeat normal. A pacemaker is a device that transmits electrical pulses to the heart to maintain the typical pulsation.

Heart surgery
The maze procedure is carried out for atrial fibrillation, which is a type of arrhythmia where the upper chambers of the heart contract in the usual way. In it, a series of cuts are made in the atria to keep the electrical impulses only on certain pathways.

If arrhythmia is not treated, it can cause damage to the heart and brain, leading to life-threatening conditions such as stroke, heart failure, or cardiac arrest. Depending on the treatment, recovery may take several weeks or months.

Conclusion
Arrhythmia can be harmless or an emergency. It cannot be prevented, but regular check-ups with a healthcare provider can help in the early diagnosis of irregular heart rhythms.