Irregular heartbeat (also known as abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia) arise from problems with the electrical conduction system of the heart. It occurs when the electrical impulses in your heart that coordinate your heartbeats don’t work properly so that your heart beat too fast, too slow or irregularly.
Irregular heartbeat (or arrhythmia) is not the same as an irregular heart rate. Arrhythmia and abnormal heart rate don’t necessarily occur together. Arrhythmias can develop with a normal heart rate, or with heart rates that are slow or rapid. A normal heart rate is 50 to 100 beats per minute. Arrhythmias can develop in normal, healthy hearts.
Arrhythmias can occur in either the atria or the ventricles. In general, ventricular arrhythmias are more serious than atrial arrhythmias because ventricular arrhythmias are more likely to affect the heart’s ability to pump blood to the body.
The causes of arrhythmia may include:
- Coronary artery disease (blocked arteries in your heart)
- Changes in your heart muscle
- Injury from a heart attack
- Electrolyte imbalances in your blood (such as sodium or potassium)
- Healing process after heart surgery
- Too much alcohol or caffeine intake
- Drug abuse
- Stress
- Certain medications or dietary supplements
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
- Electrical shock
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