There are many reasons why a person might have an irregular heartbeat. Sometimes, it is all related to stress and upset in a person’s life, other times, it could be a sign of something wrong with the heart.
If you are drinking a lot of caffeine, that may cause you to have a heartbeat that is not regular. Caffeine is a natural stimulant that sometimes causes different variations in the heart. Take this into consideration first if your heart either flutters, or seems jumpy.
Coronary artery disease is likely to cause an irregular heart rate. Coronary artery disease comes from arteries which become clogged with plaque, often due to high cholesterol. Another cause of coronary artery disease is smoking. Smoking will damage walls of the arteries the longer you do it, and therefore cause blood vessels to narrow, creating an environment for coronary artery disease. It is wise to stop smoking if you do, and also eat a healthier diet low in cholesterol.
Coronary heart disease can cause what is known as a PVC, which is a premature ventricular contraction in the heart. This rhythm problem isn’t quite as serious as two serious disturbances called ventricular tachycardia, and also ventricular fibrillation. These could both occur during a heart attack event in a person. In both of these arrhythmia’s, the heart is not getting the proper amount of blood to circulate. The ventricular fibrillation is also an emergency moreso than ventricular tachycardia.
Sometimes an irregular heart beat can stem from a lack of both potassium and sodium in the blood. Potassium is what controls the heartbeats and keeps them steady and regular when you have the right balances. If you are really low in potassium or sodium, this will create an disturbance in heart rhythm.
Some people have what is known as Long QT Syndrome. This condition is linked to genetics and what it does is causes the heart muscle to contract much longer then it should. It needs medication in order to put the heart into the right rhythm. It has long been the cause of a quick death in younger people. Many people that are diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome have to have a pacemaker put in.
Atrial fibrillation is a type of an arrhythmia that causes the heart’s atria, (upper part) it is the electrical activity of the heart that is off, and the beats are not in sync as a result of that. The heart will in turn, beat very rapidly as many as 180 beats per minute, which is extremely high. This can cause a person to have vertigo and feel faint. Medications are needed to correct this situation, and sometimes a pacemaker.
If you have any of these concerns, it is best to speak with your doctor. Any irregular heart rhythms accompanied by a weight on your chest feeling, nausea, and sweating, could mean a heart attack and calls for immediate help!
