Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat)
You know your body best and if you feel as though something is not right with your heartbeat, we encourage you to seek expert medical attention from our trained specialists. Turn to DMC Medical Group to diagnose and treat arrhythmia. We invite you to learn more about this condition and to contact us to schedule an appointment.
Understanding Arrhythmia
As your heart beats, it fills with blood and then pumps it out to the rest of the body. Arrhythmia is a condition characterized as irregularities in the way the heart beats. This can mean it is beating:
- Too fast, known as Tachycardia,
- Too slow, known as Bradycardia
- Prematurely, in which an extra heartbeat takes place.
Most instances of arrhythmia are harmless; however, this condition can be life threatening especially with long-term occurrence. The range of 60 to 100 beats per minute is considered a normal heart rate at rest. If your resting heart rate is higher than 100 beats per minutes or if you experience frequent heart palpitations – meaning more than six per minute or in groups of three – this is a red flag.
Causes of Arrhythmia
Even if you have a healthy heart, it is possible to experience arrhythmia. You may experience irregular heartbeats due to external factors such as:
- Anxiety
- Excess Caffeine
- Cigarettes
- Diet Pills
- Increased Exercise
- Certain Medications
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are all risk factors for arrhythmia. Arrhythmia is also caused by other conditions including:
- Thyroid Disease
- Low Blood Sugar
- Abnormal Blood Potassium Levels
- Anemia
- Low Blood Pressure
- Low Oxygen in the Blood
Diagnosing & Treating Arrhythmia
In order to accurately diagnose this condition, we will listen to your heart and work to understand your symptoms. We will also review your medical history. An electrocardiogram will be conducted to accurately diagnose arrhythmia, as well as other tests as necessary. Treatments depend on the underlying cause as well as the type of arrhythmia and range from monitoring the situation, prescribing medication, and performing surgery.
Contact Our Office
Regardless of the complexity of your heart condition, our specialists work with you to determine an accurate diagnosis so we can create an effective course of treatment. Contact us to schedule an appointment so we can begin your journey towards a better quality of life.