1. Heart & Vascular
  2. Conditions
  3. Arrhythmia & Atrial Fibrillation

Arrhythmia & Atrial Fibrillation

Treatment for irregular heartbeat conditions

Whether your heart is beating too fast, too slow or with an irregular rhythm, the award-winning cardiovascular specialists at Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute are ready to help.

Take the First Step

If you believe you are at risk for heart disease, it’s time to take the first step in improving your cardiac health. Visit your primary care provider to discuss your heart health to see if you need a referral to one of our heart specialists. If you do not have a primary care provider, follow the steps below to get started:

stethoscope

Step 1:
Visit your Primary
Care Provider

checklist

Step 2:
Discuss your
concerns

referral

Step 3:
Your provider gives
a referral

heart & vascular

Step 4:
Choose the right
specialist for you

Schedule a Primary Care Visit Find a Heart Specialist

 

Types of arrhythmias

There are two main categories of arrhythmias:

  • Supraventricular Arrhythmias originate in the atria, or heart's upper chambers
  • Ventricular Arrhythmias originate in the ventricles, or heart's lower chambers

One of the most common arrhythmias is atrial fibrillation (AFib). This occurs when the two small upper chambers of the heart "quiver" rather than beat normally, which causes blood to pool in the atria.

Other types of arrhythmias include:

  • Tachycardia: Heart beating too fast (more than 100 beats per minute)
  • Bradycardia: Heart beating too slow (less than 60 beats per minute)
  • Bradyarrhythmia: Slow heart rhythm that may be caused by disease in the heart's electrical conduction system
Woman using her laptop computer on the couch

Are You At Risk For Heart Disease?

Listen to your heart and see if you are at risk for heart disease. It only takes 5 minutes to answer a few questions and live a healthier life.

Start the Quiz

Although no one knows what causes the onset of an arrhythmia, it's often seen as a result of other heart conditions, including:

  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Electrolyte imbalances (including sodium or potassium imbalance)
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Heart surgery
  • Heart inflammation
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Valve disorders

Having any of these conditions may increase your risk of developing an arrhythmia.

Woman sitting in bed drinking a glass of water as she takes medication.

Depending on the type of arrhythmia, you may not notice any symptoms. If you do, the most direct sign is a feeling of skipped heartbeats, a fluttering sensation or a pounding in the chest. Other arrhythmia symptoms include:

  • Chest discomfort
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unexplained weakness or fatigue
Nurse and patient are sitting across from each other in a clinic exam room. The nurse holds and positions the patients hands to check for their pulse.

Arrhythmias cause your heart to pump blood less effectively. If your body's organs and tissues aren't getting the blood they need, they can become damaged, which affects your whole health.

With AFib, blood pooling in the heart may eventually clot. If these blood clots get into your bloodstream, they can cause blockages. People with AFib are especially at risk for stroke due to blood clots blocking blood flow to the brain.

Mature women sitting together, relaxing and looking at a smart phone

If your primary care provider thinks you may have an arrhythmia, they'll refer you to a cardiologist for further testing. In addition to blood work, they may also recommend these tests:

  • Echocardiogram (ECG)
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG)
  • Stress test (exercise or pharmacological)
  • Wearable Heart Monitor
  • Implantable Loop Recorder
A senior couple are sitting across from a doctor as he shows them information on a laptop.