When To See A Doctor: 6 Common Symptoms Of Abnormal Heart Rhythms (Arrhythmia)

Arrhythmia is a wide collection of conditions relating to an abnormal heartbeat, and that can become more concerning as one grows older. According to studies, the risk of arrhythmia can nearly triple as one progresses from 60 to 80 years old, though it is a worry even for younger adults.

The most likely way to catch arrhythmia is to schedule regular visits with your doctor, but not everyone has that luxury or time. What common symptoms of arrhythmias should you watch out for, so you can seek medical attention?

What symptoms can I expect from an arrhythmia?

Although different arrhythmias will have different symptoms, and some may have none at all, a few signs are very common to most arrhythmias. Although some of these symptoms may appear naturally because of another cause, they are only symptoms of an arrhythmia when they appear without an apparent cause.

Chest pain

Chest pain from an arrhythmia will occur around the area of your heart. This is called angina and it strikes when the blood vessels around your heart are not receiving enough blood flow and oxygen. In many arrhythmias, the abnormal heartbeat is a result of some malfunction in the heart, which can often result in the heart pumping out less blood and thus less oxygen around the body.

This lack of oxygen means the heart has to over-exert itself to get more, causing chest pain. Angina carries its own risk of heart attack and is one of the more severe possible symptoms.

Fainting

Fainting is another severe potential symptom of arrhythmia and you should inform your doctor as soon as possible if you experience it. Fainting occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen, and several arrhythmias can impact how much oxygen the heart can deliver to the body.

Often, an episode of fainting will last less than a few minutes and is not life-threatening, but that does not mean that it isn’t a worrying symptom. Before fainting, many victims will feel weak, nauseous, sweaty, and experience tunnel vision. It is best to sit or lay down so you do not suffer injuries from falling. 

Dizziness

Dizziness and lightheadedness are other symptoms that can occur from a lack of oxygen to the brain, however, it is not as severe as fainting. You may feel like you’re about to faint, your body feels heavy, your vision becomes blurred, or you lose your balance. It can be caused by a lack of blood pressure from arrhythmia for example. If you frequently have symptoms like this, it can be dangerous to operate machinery or drive, and it is a falling hazard as well. Although the symptoms may not last long, it’s still advisable to drink something in addition to laying down. If the symptoms last for longer than 10 or 15 minutes, a doctor should be called immediately.

Paleness

Paleness is a symptom that occurs when the skin is not receiving enough blood. The lack of blood in the blood vessels causes the skin to slightly change color, but it depends on the color of the person’s skin and how many blood vessels are under the person’s skin. If someone has darker skin, it may only be seen in the lining of the eyes and mouth. If the paleness develops suddenly and affects most of the body instead of a single limb, it is a worrying symptom.

Breathing difficulty

Breathing difficulty can include uncomfortable breathing as well as feeling as if you’re not getting enough air. Because many arrhythmias can cause the heart not to pump enough oxygen, you may feel as though you’re not breathing fast enough. If you experience breathing difficulties, it is a good idea to lay down and try not to engage in strenuous activity. If the breathing difficulty does not go away after a few minutes or gets worse, try to call a doctor immediately. 

Palpitations

Heart palpitations are one of the least severe but most common symptoms of an arrhythmia. Heart palpitations simply describe a feeling of a pounding or racing heart. Of course, this is normal during exercise or another strenuous activity, but not when relaxing or sitting down. You may also be able to feel your heartbeat, even if it’s not accelerated, or you may feel as though your heart is skipping beats.

Because arrhythmias describe abnormal heartbeats, palpitations are one of the early warning signs that your heartbeat may not be normal. If accompanied by other symptoms, be sure to call a medical professional, and even in isolation, it should be mentioned to a medical professional at some point if it happens more than once.