How Is An Irregular Heartbeat Diagnosed? 5 Common Tests For Arrhythmia | Cardiovascular Disorders and Diseases articles | Body & Health Conditions center

Arrhythmia describes several conditions that involve an irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmias are relatively uncommon; it’s estimated that they only affect about two to three percent of the population. However, they can be very harmful. In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death, and many arrhythmias lead to heart diseases such as stroke and heart failure.

Younger people get arrhythmia too, but the risk sharply rises between the ages of 65 and 73. Fortunately, arrhythmias are treatable, and many, if not all, of the risks can be mitigated. However, it needs to be diagnosed early so that doctors can recommend treatments and lifestyle changes that may be necessary for recovery or symptom management.

What are some signs of arrhythmia?

A few symptoms that generally signal an arrhythmia, although regular checkups with your doctor are always important. If you notice these symptoms without an apparent cause, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor.

You may feel that your heart beats in an unusual way — too fast, too slowly, or skipping beats.
Blurry vision
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Fainting
Fatigue
Light-headedness or dizziness
Anxiety

How would a doctor diagnose someone who believes they have an arrhythmia?

Although there are many different types of arrhythmia, the diagnostic process will be similar across the board.

Discovering the risk factors

First, a doctor will usually ask you several questions to determine whether you have any risk factors that make arrhythmia more likely. One risk factor is a family history of heart problems, because several arrhythmias are hereditary. Next, they may ask how much exercise you do and what your diet is like. Sugars, sodium, and fats are unhealthy for the heart, whereas vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein-rich foods are good for the heart.

Other risk factors your doctor may ask you about include:

Alcohol use
Smoking
Certain medicines
Other medical conditions you have

Physical examination

A doctor can use a physical examination to see if you have any outward signs of arrhythmia. Listening to the rhythm and speed of your heart is one of the easiest ways of finding an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias cause an irregular heartbeat, and although it’s not always possible to find an arrhythmia by listening to your heart rhythm, it’s not uncommon for an arrhythmia to present itself this way.

The doctor may also look for other medical conditions that can cause an arrhythmia. This can include looking for swelling in the hands and feet, which can indicate heart failure or a congenital heart problem as a result of the heart’s reduced ability to pump blood. The doctor may look for signs like a puffy face and dry skin to spot thyroid diseases. These diseases have been linked to certain types of arrhythmias, although a doctor may search for other diseases and conditions that aren’t mentioned here.

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most common ways a doctor will find an arrhythmia outside of physical examination. Using this test, several patches are applied to the patient’s arms, legs, and chest. As the heart beats, electrical signals are sent around your body, and an electrocardiogram test can pick up these electrical signals.

Many arrhythmias interfere with the electrical signals in your heart, so this test is particularly effective at picking up arrhythmias. Also, even if you don’t have an arrhythmia, this test can identify dangerous heart conditions like a congenital heart defect, poor blood supply, inflammation of the heart, and swelling around the heart.

Holter monitor, event monitor, and loop recorder

It’s possible for an arrhythmia to only present an irregular heartbeat, or symptoms, at certain times. This makes it very hard for an ECG to pick up unless the patient is in hospital for an extended period of time. A Holter monitor, event monitor, or loop recorder is used to gain insights into the heart’s electrical activity over a longer period of time.

A Holter monitor is used when symptoms are expected every 24 to 48 hours. It attaches to your chest in a similar manner to the patches of an ECG, and the device is worn for the next one or two days. If your symptoms are weekly or monthly, an event monitor must be used, which doesn’t record continuously. Instead, the patient activates the device when they start feeling symptoms. For symptoms that are less frequent than monthly, an implanted loop recorder can be used, which is inserted into one’s chest. Its battery life can be as long as three years, and these devices can record both patient-activated or automatically-activated episodes.

Other diagnostic tools

If these tools aren’t adequate, your doctor may turn to other procedures. This includes stress testing, where someone is asked to exercise to see if they experience any symptoms of an arrhythmia. The “stress” of exercising may reveal certain arrhythmias. A more invasive form of diagnosis is similar to the ECG, and is called an intracardiac electrophysiology study (EPS). This test does an in-depth evaluation of the heart’s electrical signals. IVs are implanted into the patient’s body, and electrodes can be passed through the body into the heart. Once inside the heart, the devices can analyze the electrical signals.