Heart rhythm conditions

Arrhythmias are conditions that cause an abnormal heart rhythm:

• The heart may beat faster or slower.
• Electrical impulses may become irregular.
• Coordination necessary to move blood through the heart and out to the body may be off.

In most cases, an arrhythmia does not affect your overall well-being. But some irregular heartbeats put you at risk for life-threatening complications. If you have an irregular heartbeat, it’s best to see a cardiologist specializing in arrhythmias – like the ones at Advocate Heart Institute.

We are a nationally recognized arrhythmia center of excellence. In the Heart Rhythm Care Program highly skilled specialists diagnose, treat and monitor some of the most complex arrhythmias. Care starts with a comprehensive evaluation and accurate diagnosis, so you receive the services that are best for your needs.

Types of arrhythmias

Arrhythmia types include:

• Atrial fibrillation (AFib): Irregular heart rhythm that occurs when upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat rapidly and out of sync.
• Bradyarrhythmia: Slow heart rhythm due to issues with special cells that trigger heartbeats.
• Bradycardia: Slow heart rhythm with a rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute.
• Supraventricular arrhythmia: Arrhythmias that stem from issues in the heart’s upper chambers (atria).
• Tachycardia: Fast heart rhythm with a rate of greater than 100 beats per minute.
• Ventricular arrhythmia: Abnormal heart rhythm due to issues with the lower chambers (ventricles).

Symptoms of arrhythmias

Some irregular heartbeats do not cause symptoms. In arrhythmias that do cause symptoms, you may experience:

• Dizziness
• Fainting due to a drop in blood pressure or heart rate (syncope)
• Heart fluttering or pounding (palpitations)
• Lightheadedness
• Muscle weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual tiredness

Causes of arrhythmias

In many people, arrhythmias occur due to complications of medical issues. These include:

• Cardiomyopathy, which affects heart muscle tissue
• Complications of a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or cardiovascular surgery
• Coronary artery disease
• Electrolyte imbalances, which occur when you have too much or too little sodium, potassium or other substances
• Structural heart disease (valve disorders)
• High blood pressure

Some irregular heartbeats run in families. These arrhythmias tend to be rare and possibly life-threatening. Find out more about inherited arrhythmias.

Diagnosing arrhythmias

The primary diagnostic test for irregular heartbeats is an electrocardiogram (EKG). This test records the heart’s electrical activity. Get more information about heart and vasculartesting and diagnosis.

Sometimes it’s necessary to perform additional tests to learn more about the arrhythmia or what’s causing it. These include:

• Cardiac catheterization: A procedure that uses thin tubes (catheters) with sophisticated tools at the tip to evaluate heart structures and functioning. Learn more about cardiac catheterization
• Electrophysiology study: An advanced test that helps doctors pinpoint the source of an arrhythmia and determine which treatment is best
• Holter event monitor: A portable device similar to an EKG that records heart activity for up to 48 hours
• Implantable loop recorder: A device that goes under the skin of your chest and records abnormal heart rhythms for up to three years
• Stress test: A test in which doctors evaluate the heart’s electrical activity while you perform light physical activity, like walking on a treadmill

Treating arrhythmias

Arrhythmias often do not require treatment. We may recommend regular monitoring so we can detect the early signs of changes and determine their impact on your health.

If you need treatment, we offer a broad range of therapies. Experts deliver personalized care that restores a regular heart rhythm and helps your body maintain it.

Arrhythmia treatments we offer include:

• Cardiac ablation: Focused beams of warm energy destroy abnormal tissue responsible for the irregular heartbeat.
• Cardioversion: We deliver electrical shocks to the heart to correct severe, abnormal heart rhythms.
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD): An ICD is a small implantable device that senses and treats abnormal heart rhythms.
• Left atrial appendage closure: This procedure helps people with atrial fibrillation avoid dangerous blood clots.
• Pacemaker: This small implantable device generates electrical signals that maintain a healthy rhythm.
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy: This option returns the heart to a normal rhythm using a specific type of pacemaker and sometimes an implantable defibrillator.

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