Ian Purcell MD PhD Monali Patel MD Otoneurology Call 858 223 2172
Educational Resources
Patient education

Cardiac Arrhythmias

An arrhythmia is a heartbeat that is irregular, too fast, or too slow. When the heart pumps less effectively, it can cause lightheadedness, palpitations, or fainting.

At a glance

Symptoms
Palpitations, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or fainting
Common causes
Heart disease, electrolyte or thyroid problems, stimulants, some medications
How it's diagnosed
ECG, wearable heart monitoring, and tilt table testing
Treatment
Treating the cause, medication, and cardiology procedures when needed

Overview

‍Cardiac Arrhythmias occur when there's a disruption in the heart's electrical system, leading to irregular heartbeats. While many arrhythmias are harmless, some can be serious and even life-threatening.

Cardiac arrhythmias involve abnormal heart rates or rhythms, including:

  • Tachycardia: Heart beats too fast.
  • Bradycardia: Heart beats too slow.
  • Irregular heartbeats.

Symptoms

  • Dizziness
  • Light-headedness
  • Weakness
  • Fainting or pre-fainting
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Irregular or slow heartbeats
  • Palpitations (fluttering or skipping)

Causes and risk factors

Various factors contribute to cardiac arrhythmias, including:

  • Age-related changes
  • Heart conditions
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Medications
  • Lifestyle factors like smoking or excessive alcohol intake

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and tests such as EKG, holter monitor, echocardiogram, or stress test.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity and underlying cause and may include:

  • Medications
  • Medical procedures
  • Surgery

While there's no cure, treatment aims to manage symptoms and reduce risks.

Living with Cardiac Arrhythmias

Managing cardiac arrhythmias involves lifestyle changes like diet modification, exercise, and stress management.

With proper diagnosis and management, individuals can lead fulfilling lives despite cardiac arrhythmias. For more information or personalized treatment, please contact us.

Testing that can help

Testing is chosen from your history and examination. These are the tests most often used here.

Tilt Table TestingTracks blood pressure and heart rate as the body is tilted upright, to evaluate lightheadedness and fainting.
Specialty care: Cardiac ArrhythmiasCardiac Arrhythmias occur when there's a disruption in the heart's electrical system, leading to irregular heartbeats.Orthostatic HypotensionOrthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure on standing that can cause lightheadedness, blurred vision, or fainting.DizzinessDizziness can mean spinning (vertigo), lightheadedness, or unsteadiness, and each points toward different causes.Sleep ApneaSleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, leading to daytime fatigue and morning headaches and raising the risk of heart and blood pressure problems.

When to seek urgent care

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if dizziness or imbalance starts suddenly together with any of the following, since these can be signs of a stroke or another emergency:

  • Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side
  • Trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • Double vision or sudden loss of vision
  • A sudden, severe headache
  • Inability to walk or stand
  • Chest pain, fainting, or a seizure

Further reading

This article is for general education and does not replace a medical evaluation. Testing and treatment are chosen for each patient after a full history and examination.