Cardiac arrhythmias are a widespread ailment in this country. Find out which signs can point to a cardiac arrhythmia and what this says more precisely about the arrhythmia.
Our heart works at peak performance every day, beating around 60 to 80 times a minute and around 100,000 times over the course of the day. We don’t notice much of it – unless our heart rate increases when we’re nervous or when we’re physically strenuous.
Cardiac arrhythmia occurs when our heart gets out of sync and beats either too fast or too slow. Such cardiac arrhythmias – also called arrhythmias – can be harmless, but can also be life-threatening. According to the German Heart Foundation, cardiac arrhythmias are widespread. Around 400,000 people are treated in hospitals in Germany every year.
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3 signs of cardiac arrhythmias
The symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia depend on whether the heart is beating too slowly or too fast and where in the muscle the disorder is located. The following three symptoms can indicate a cardiac arrhythmia:
heart palpitations
If our heart beats evenly in time, we don’t even notice it. Cardiac arrhythmias are often perceived as palpitations. The irregularity may be atrial fibrillation. According to the German Heart Foundation, there is cause for concern if other symptoms such as dizziness or shortness of breath occur and no heart disease is known. Potassium can help against palpitations . However, it should not be taken without medical advice.
dizziness
In the case of cardiac arrhythmias, you can also get circulatory problems , which manifest themselves in the form of dizziness, poor performance or even unconsciousness. These symptoms usually occur when your heart rhythm is too slow. The result: Your body and, accordingly, your brain are not supplied with enough oxygen, which is why you may feel dizzy.
tachycardia
When we are physically demanding or stressed, our heart beats faster. A rapid heart rate without a plausible explanation can also be a sign of cardiac arrhythmias. The racing heart is usually accompanied by inner restlessness, nervousness or fear. Clarify the tachycardia from your doctor – especially if other symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness or chest pain occur.
Your doctor can use an electrocardiogram (EKG test) to determine whether you have an abnormal heart rhythm. If the ECG is unremarkable, a long-term ECG or a stress ECG can also be carried out – especially if the disturbances only occur occasionally or during physical exertion.
Consequences of cardiac arrhythmia
In the long term, cardiac arrhythmias can promote cardiac insufficiency or aggravate an existing one. It also increases the risk of blood clots forming, which can cause a life-threatening embolism. In severe cases, when the heart is already damaged, abnormal heart rhythms can cause circulatory collapse, cardiac arrest, or ventricular fibrillation, which can lead to cardiac death.
