Arrhythmia (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Hearts that beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly — from harmless extra beats to rhythms that need urgent treatment.
What it is
An arrhythmia is any disturbance of the heart's electrical rhythm. Some — like occasional extra beats — are common and usually harmless. Others matter: atrial fibrillation raises stroke risk, very slow rhythms cause blackouts, and certain fast rhythms are life-threatening.
Symptoms
Palpitations (awareness of a racing, pounding or irregular heartbeat), giddiness, blackouts or near-blackouts, and unexplained breathlessness. Because many rhythm problems come and go, a normal ECG in the clinic does not rule them out.
Diagnosis and treatment
The key is catching the rhythm on a recording: ECG, 24–48 hour Holter monitoring, or longer-term event recorders. Treatment depends entirely on the diagnosis — reassurance, medication, anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, or a pacemaker or ICD where the rhythm requires it.
Not sure if these symptoms matter?
A consultation answers that with an exam and the right tests — not guesswork.