Arrhythmias are irregular heart beats. There are several types of arrhythmias, and not all of them are dangerous or harmful. In this article two harmless types of arrhythmia are discussed that (generally) do not require any treatment. Arrhythmia is not synonymous for a fast or irregular heart rate: you could suffer from arrhythmia without having an irregular beat, skipping beats or even if you naturally have a slow (or fast) heart rate. In the United States alone more than 850,000 people are hospitalized for an arrhythmia each year, recognize the symptoms and see your doctor if you suspect an arrhythmia.
While there are different types of arrhythmia, the following two are relatively harmless (and common!) and you do not need to worry about (immediate) medical attention. If you do suspect you may have one of these forms of arrhythmia and want to be sure, consult your doctor. It is always a good thing to be aware of so you can mention it in case of an emergency. There are also certain drugs that you should not take if you have an arrhythmia, even if it is relatively harmless.
- Premature atrial contractions are early additional heart beats that originate in the atria (upper chambers of the heart).
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are among the most common arrhythmias. PVCs occur in people who do and people who do not suffer from heart disease. Generally they are the occasional missed beat we all experience from time to time. They can be related to stress, consuming too much caffeine, nicotine or engage in too strenuous exercise. There are some PVCs that are caused by heart disease or an electrolyte imbalance, these can be recognized by their frequent occurrence. Thus, only if you experience a missed beat often, you should be checked out by a doctor.
There are some dangerous forms of arrhythmia you should be aware of, if you feel you may be at risk, see your doctor!