Although heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) are more common in older adults, they can occur at any age. Some arrhythmias may be harmless, while others could pose life-threatening risks, including sudden cardiac death. Liv Hospital Cardiologist Prof. Dr. Enis Oguz explains the essential steps to help protect your heart's rhythm.
What are the causes of cardiac arrhythmia?
Electrical stimulation is essential for the heart muscle to contract. Specialized cells in the right atrium generate regular electrical impulses, which travel throughout the heart—similar to the flow of electricity through a grid. As this electrical signal spreads, the heart muscle responds and contracts. Any disturbance in this complex system can disrupt the heart’s rhythm.
Arrhythmias can present as a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), irregular beats (premature beats), or a slow heartbeat (bradycardia).
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom of arrhythmia is palpitations. Patients often describe this as “my heart flutters like a bird,” “it feels like my heart is going to jump out of my chest,” “my heartbeat is visible from the outside,” or “I feel my heart beating in my throat.” Palpitations usually begin suddenly and can last for seconds, minutes, or even hours before stopping. Other symptoms may include dizziness and fainting. Fainting episodes related to arrhythmia can sometimes indicate a more serious, potentially life-threatening condition.
Which age range is affected?
Arrhythmias can occur at any age, but they are more common in older adults and often linked with other heart conditions. For example, atrial fibrillation—a common type of arrhythmia—affects about 2% of the general population and up to 10% of people over 80 years old. These statistics highlight the significant public health impact of cardiac arrhythmias.
What tests are used for arrhythmia?
The primary tool for diagnosing arrhythmias is the electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the electrical activity of the heart. However, for an ECG to be useful, it must capture these signals during an arrhythmia episode. For instance, if a patient experiences arrhythmia and goes to a healthcare facility while tachycardia is present, an ECG taken at that moment can help identify the specific type of arrhythmia. Since some arrhythmias are brief and may not always be recorded, portable devices—about the size of a cell phone—are available. Patients can carry these devices to record their heart's activity right when symptoms occur, improving the chances of accurate diagnosis.
3 years of cardiac rhythm recording
For rare or hard-to-detect arrhythmias, surgically implanted subcutaneous recording devices can continuously monitor heart rhythm for up to three years. If these approaches do not reveal the cause, further evaluation may include an electrophysiological study, which is an interventional procedure. Additional diagnostic methods, such as echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and coronary angiography, may be required in some cases.
To help determine the cause of unexplained fainting spells, a special test can diagnose vasovagal syncope—a condition where reflex changes trigger a sudden drop or pause in heart rhythm. This simple test is especially useful for distinguishing between fainting due to arrhythmia and other causes, such as epilepsy, in patients undergoing neurological assessment.
Are patients with arrhythmia required to use specific diet?
Nutrition plays a vital role for patients with arrhythmia. Certain substances can stimulate the heart's electrical system and may trigger arrhythmias—examples include tea, coffee, and smoking. Additionally, various medications can cause arrhythmias. Some heart and blood pressure drugs may slow the heart rate (bradycardia); even eye drops for glaucoma can have this effect. Occasionally, a medication prescribed to treat one type of arrhythmia may cause another form of irregular heartbeat.
General heart health guidelines also help prevent arrhythmia. These include:
- Managing stress
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a diet low in saturated and trans fats
- Reducing salt intake
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding or limiting alcohol
* Liv Hospital Editorial Board has contributed to the publication of this content .
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .