A cardiac arrhythmia is any abnormal heart rhythm. The heart may beat too fast, too slow, irregularly, or with extra beats. Arrhythmias may be harmless, symptomatic, or associated with serious risks depending on the type of rhythm and the patient’s underlying heart condition.
Early evaluation helps determine whether symptoms need reassurance, medication adjustment, stroke prevention, device therapy, ablation referral, or further cardiac testing.
Symptoms patients may notice
- Irregular heartbeat, skipped beats, racing heartbeat, or slow pulse
- Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, or fainting
- Shortness of breath or chest discomfort
- Exercise intolerance or sudden episodes of feeling unwell
How we evaluate this condition
- EKG and rhythm documentation
- Holter, patch, event monitor, loop recorder, or device interrogation when appropriate
- Echocardiogram, stress test, labs, or electrophysiology referral based on findings
Treatment and care options
- Medication adjustment or rhythm-specific therapy
- Stroke prevention for AFib or atrial flutter when indicated
- Pacemaker or defibrillator evaluation for selected slow or dangerous rhythms
- Ablation referral for selected SVT, flutter, AFib, or other arrhythmias
When to seek urgent care
Call 911 for arrhythmia symptoms with fainting, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, stroke symptoms, or collapse.