Some Signs to Watch for with Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Ecocardiography test reports ECG one showing abnormal heart rhythm and a blood pressure cuff An occasional period of an abnormal heart rhythm is not rare and usually isn’t serious. Many adults have had some rhythm problem, whether due to too much caffeine, stress, lack of sleep, or other issues. The feelings may be of your heart racing, a feeling of lightheadedness or dizziness, or skipped beats.

But certain heart rhythms can be serious, potentially even deadly. That’s when it’s time to call Dr. Stevens at Premier Heart and Vein Care and let him figure out what is going on.

Symptoms to watch for

Certain heart rhythms, especially if they last long enough to affect the heart’s function are serious. Watch for these signs:

  • Palpitations or skipped beats — These can seem as if your heart missed a beat, but it actually has added an early heartbeat. This beat happens before the heart has a chance to fill with blood, resulting in a pause.
  • Fluttering — A fluttering sensation in the chest is usually due to extra or “skipped beats” that occur one after another. They can also be caused by other kinds of abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation.
  • Slow heartbeat / Bradycardia — If your heart beats too slowly, usually less than 60 beats per minute (except in highly conditioned people), not enough blood carrying oxygen flows through the body. Symptoms of a slow heartbeat:
      • Fatigue
      • Dizziness
      • Lightheadedness
      • Fainting
  • Rapid heartbeat / Tachycardia — If your heart beats too quickly (usually above 100 beats per minute), the lower chambers/ventricles do not have enough time to fill with blood, so they cannot effectively pump blood out into the rest of the body. Symptoms of a rapid heartbeat:
      • Skipping a beat
      • Beating out of rhythm
      • Palpitations
      • Fast heartbeat or racing heartbeat
      • Shortness of breath
      • Chest pain
      • Dizziness
      • Lightheadedness
      • Fainting

These are some of the symptoms to be aware of. If you are having any of these symptoms, please call Dr. Stevens at Premier Heart and Vein Care, (805) 540-3333 and let’s check out your heart.

Schedule a Consultation

* All indicated fields must be completed.
Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only.

Office Information

OFFICE HOURS
Mon - Thur: 7:30am - 5:30pm
Fri - Sun: Closed

Follow Us

Accessibility Toolbar

Scroll to Top