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Any interruption to the electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract can result in arrhythmia.

For a person with a healthy heart, they should have a heart rate of between 60-100 beats per minute when resting.

The more fit a person is, the lower their resting heart rate.

Olympic athletes, for example, will usually have a resting heart rate of under 60 beats per minute because their hearts are very efficient.

A number of factors can cause the heart to work incorrectly, they include:

• alcohol abuse
• diabetes
• drug abuse
• excessive coffee consumption
• heart disease like congestive heart failure
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland)
• mental stress
• scarring of the heart, often the result of a heart attack
• smoking
• some dietary supplements
• some herbal treatments
• some medications
• structural changes of the heart

A healthy person will hardly ever suffer from long-term arrhythmia unless they have an external trigger, such as drug abuse or an electric shock. If there is an underlying problem, however, the electrical impulses may not be able to travel through the heart correctly, increasing the likelihood of arrhythmia.

The following are possible risk factors for arrhythmia:

• old age
• inherited gene defects
• heart problems
• hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
• some prescription medications, and over-the-counter drugs
• hypertension
• obesity
• uncontrolled diabetes
• obstructive sleep apnea
• electrolyte imbalances
• heavy and regular alcohol consumption
• too much caffeine
• illegal drugs

Some patients have no symptoms, but a doctor might detect an arrhythmia during a routine examination or on an EKG.

Even if a patient notices symptoms, it does not necessarily mean there is a serious problem; for instance, some patients with life-threatening arrhythmias may have no symptoms while others with symptoms may not have a serious problem.

Symptoms depend on the type of arrhythmia; we will explain the most common below:

Symptoms of tachycardia

Tachycardia is when the heart beats quicker than normal; symptoms include:

• breathlessness (dyspnea)
• dizziness
• syncope (fainting, or nearly fainting)
• fluttering in the chest
• chest pain
• lightheadedness
• sudden weakness

Symptoms of bradycardia

Bradycardia is when the heart beats slower than normal; symptoms include:

• angina (chest pain)
• trouble concentrating
• confusion
• difficulties when exercising
• dizziness
• fatigue (tiredness)
• lightheadedness
• palpitations
• shortness of breath
• syncope (fainting or nearly fainting)
• diaphoresis, or sweating

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is when the upper chambers of the heart beat in an irregular pattern and out of synchrony with the lower chambers. Symptoms often develop rapidly, although sometimes, there are no symptoms:

• angina (chest pain)
• breathlessness (dyspnea)
• dizziness
• palpitations
• syncope (fainting, or nearly fainting)
• weakness

The doctor will try to find out what triggers the patient's arrhythmia. This will involve a detailed interview, which may include the patient's medical history, family history, diet, and lifestyle.

The following tests might be ordered:

• blood and urine tests
• EKG (electrocardiogram)
• Holtermonitor - a wearable device that records the heart for 1-2 days
• echocardiogram
• chest X-ray
• tilt-table test
• electrophysiologic testing (or EP studies)
• heart catheterization

Treatment for arrhythmia is only required if the condition is putting the patient at risk of a more serious arrhythmia or a complication, or if the symptoms are very severe.

Treatments for bradycardia

If bradycardia is caused by an underlying condition, that condition needs to be treated first. If no underlying problem is found, the doctor may advise implanting a pacemaker.

A pacemaker is a small device that is placed under the skin of the chest or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms. Pacemakers use electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal minimum rate.

Treatments for tachycardia

There are several different treatments for tachycardia:

Vagal maneuvers - certain movements that the patient can do themselves might stop some types of arrhythmia that start above the lower half of the heart.

Medications - these will not cure the patient, but are usually effective in reducing episodes of tachycardia and can help with proper electrical conduction of the heart.

Cardioversion - the doctor may use an electric shock or medication to reset the heart to its regular rhythm.

Ablation therapy - one or more catheters go through blood vessels into the inner heart. They are placed in areas of the heart that are thought to be the source of the arrhythmia and destroy small sections of those tissues.

ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) - the device is implanted near the left collarbone and monitors heart rhythm; if it detects an abnormally fast rhythm, it stimulates the heart to return to a normal rhythm.

Maze procedure - a series of surgical incisions are made in the heart. They then heal into scars and form blocks. These blocks guide the electrical impulses, helping the heart to beat efficiently.

Ventricular aneurysm surgery - sometimes, an aneurysm (bulge) in a blood vessel that leads to the heart causes an arrhythmia. If other treatments do not work, a surgeon may remove the aneurysm.

Coronary bypass surgery - arteries or veins from elsewhere in the patient's body are grafted to the coronary arteries to bypass any regions that have become narrow, and improve the blood supply to the heart muscle (myocardium).

To prevent heart arrhythmia, it's important to live a heart-healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk of heart disease. A heart-healthy lifestyle may include:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Increasing your physical activity
• Avoiding smoking
• Keeping a healthy weight
• Limiting or avoiding caffeine and alcohol
• Reducing stress, as intense stress and anger can cause heart rhythm problems
• Using over-the-counter medications with caution, as some cold and cough medications contain stimulants that may trigger a rapid heartbeat.