Cardiac arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms caused by disruptions in the heart’s electrical system. The heart may beat too fast, too slow, irregularly, or with extra beats. Some arrhythmias are mild, while others can increase the risk of stroke, fainting, heart failure, or sudden cardiac events.
Syncope means temporary loss of consciousness, commonly called fainting. Some episodes are benign, but recurrent or unexplained syncope may signal a rhythm problem, structural heart disease, blood pressure abnormality, or neurologic cause.
Heart and Vascular Specialists provides evaluation with EKG, rhythm monitoring, echocardiography, stress testing, and referral coordination for advanced rhythm procedures when needed.
Symptoms patients may notice
- Palpitations, fluttering, skipped beats, racing heartbeat, or slow heartbeat
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, near-fainting, or fainting
- Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, fatigue, or weakness
- Reduced exercise tolerance or sudden episodes of feeling unwell
- Symptoms occurring with exertion, sleep, stress, caffeine, alcohol, or medication changes
How we evaluate this condition
- EKG and physical exam
- Holter monitoring, event monitoring, patch monitoring, or loop recorder evaluation when appropriate
- Echocardiogram to look for structural causes
- Stress testing, tilt-table testing, electrophysiology referral, or device evaluation when indicated
Treatment and care options
- Rate-control, rhythm-control, or symptom-control medications when appropriate
- Stroke-risk assessment and anticoagulation planning for AFib or atrial flutter when indicated
- Lifestyle review including caffeine, alcohol, sleep apnea, hydration, stress, and stimulant use
- Referral coordination for cardioversion, ablation, pacemaker, defibrillator, or loop recorder when needed
When to seek urgent care
Call 911 for fainting during exertion, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, stroke symptoms, sustained rapid heartbeat with weakness, or near-collapse.