Headline: Decoding Your Heartbeat: 5 Rhythm Changes That Could Signal Hidden Health Issues

Our heartbeat serves as a vital indicator, which shows how well our heart functions. The heart experiences irregular rhythms when it beats either too quickly, too slowly or irregularly. Arrhythmias which affect heart rhythm patterns, are usually harmless, but they also serve as indicators for severe heart diseases. People who understand different heartbeat patterns and their associated medical conditions, should take note of these conditions. Here are 5 types of heartbeat changes and the diseases they point to...

The medical term tachycardia, describes heart rates exceeding 100 beats per minute in adult patients. The heart experiences tachycardia due to physical exercise, fever, stress and illness. This occurs because the heart experiences abnormal electrical signals that produce specific types of tachycardia, which indicate potential heart diseases. The heart condition atrial fibrillation (AFib) produces irregular and fast heart rhythms, which can increase the risk of stroke. Ventricular tachycardia begins in the lower heart chambers and produces reduced blood circulation, which may cause fainting, heart failure and even death if left untreated. People who have heart disease or heart damage, face a higher risk of developing dangerous tachycardia conditions.

Bradycardia occurs when the heart rate falls below 60 beats per minute. A slow heart rate exists normally in athletes, but it becomes dangerous when it produces symptoms including dizziness, fatigue and fainting. Sick sinus syndrome represents a medical condition which affects the heart's natural pacemaker, to produce irregular heart rate patterns and pauses. The heart experiences a conduction block, when electrical signals become delayed or completely stop. Bradycardia occurs because of tissue damage in the heart, and because of aging and certain prescribed medications. Medical intervention becomes necessary for treating severe bradycardia, because it creates insufficient blood flow to the brain and vital organs.

Premature heartbeats occur when the heart produces abnormal early contractions that disrupt its typical rhythm pattern. This occurs because the heart produces premature atrial contractions from its upper chambers, and premature ventricular contractions from its lower chambers. The additional heartbeats create a sensation of skipped or missed heartbeats, which occur frequently in people with normal heart health. The occurrence of frequent premature heartbeats typically indicates heart disease, but it also raises the chance of developing dangerous arrhythmias among people who already have heart conditions. The heart experiences premature beats because of stress, caffeine consumption, nicotine use and particular medications as well. Medical evaluation by a doctor becomes necessary for people who experience ongoing premature heartbeats to determine if they have any underlying medical conditions.

Atrial flutter represents an arrhythmia which causes the heart's upper chambers (atria) to beat at extremely fast rates between 250 to 350 times per minute. The heartbeats in atrial flutter maintain a structured pattern but produce a fast heart rate that leads to palpitations, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. The risk of blood clots and stroke exists for patients with atrial flutter, at the same level as those with AFib. The condition primarily affects patients who already have heart failure, previous heart attacks or valve-related heart problems. The treatment plan for atrial flutter includes medication, cardioversion through electrical shock and surgical procedures to eliminate damaged heart tissue.

The heart condition ventricular fibrillation (VFib) creates an emergency situation, when the ventricles start quivering uncontrollably at a fast rate which prevents them from pumping blood properly. The condition results in a complete heart stoppage which progresses to fatal cardiac arrest, when left untreated for more than a few minutes. The condition develops from severe heart conditions, heart attacks and physical injuries to the heart. Defibrillation through electrical shock is the only immediate treatment which can restore normal heart rhythm in emergency situations. People who have heart disease need to watch for warning signs which include chest pain, fainting and abnormal heartbeats.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice