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When Should I be Worried about an Irregular Heartbeat?

Rhythm is a wonderful thing, and being attuned to it is a blessing for anyone who loves music, dancing, or feels compelled to get behind a drum kit. There’s also rhythms in life that aren’t of the type that make you want to tap your foot, and a discussion of that would be a whole blog entry of its own. Instead what we’re going to talk about with this one is the rhythm that’s pulsing in your chest from long before you were born till the point you pass from this life. As the heartbeat goes so does life, and the heart needs to be beating in the right rhythm at all times. So when should I be worried about an irregular heartbeat?

The first thing that’s important to know around that is that an irregular heartbeat doesn’t always mean a heart that is beating too fast. That is possible, and it’s called a tachycardia. But when a heartbeat feels irregular it can also be because of a bradycardia – where the heart is beating too slowly. Either of them can be problematic, and to the point that it is a serious health risk for some people with the possible of heart failure stemming from it. A 3rd possibility exists too, and that’s what is known as a premature heartbeat. Many times a premature heartbeat is what is behind the sensation of a ‘skipped’ heartbeat.

Sectral is an effective irregular heartbeat medication, and it is often prescribed for people who have heartbeat irregularities along with high blood pressure making the problem worse. Diabetes and hypothyroidism / hyperthyroidism can increase the chance of a heart arrythmia too, and if you need yet another reason to quit smoking then there you are too. Having a heart that is heathy and beating properly is supremely important all through your life, and that’s why when should I be worried about an irregular heartbeat can be a valid question at any time.

Biggest Warning Signs

It will be time to seek medical attention if any of these irregular heartbeat symptoms become very strong and pronounced. Be aware as well that sometimes any of these symptoms can start weak but get progressively stronger over time, and in that case it is very likely that some sort of cardiac malfunction is starting to occur. Here’s what you need to be most wary of:

• Fluttering in chest
• Racing heartbeat
• Heart beating too slow
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath / difficulty breathing
• Unexplained fainting

Next up is the 2nd tier of irregular heartbeat symptoms. These ones aren’t minor, but they aren’t as much of a cause for concern as the ones listed above:

• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Excessive dizziness or light headedness
• Excessive sweating

This is a good basic covering of when should I be worried about an irregular heartbeat, and it is when any of the symptoms above are very strong and severe that you should see a doctor or even visit an Emergency Room if you are experiencing them really powerfully. The primary reason it needs to be this way is the possibility that you have a ventricular fibrillation. This is the most serious of all irregular heartbeat conditions, and that’s because it can cause a sudden and very dangerous drop in blood pressure. Worst case scenario this can cause a person to stop breathing.

Sound Slumber is Best

Knowing when should I be worried about an irregular heartbeat is wise, especially if you have reason to understand that you’re more at risk of one. The benefits of good sleep are far reaching, and it is naturally for your body’s heart and breathing rates to slow when you’re asleep. This has long-term beneficial effects, as is the case with anything when the pedal is taken off the gas for a while and the strain is reduced.

All sleep is good, provided that for at least some part of the night you’re sleeping deeply. When it becomes a problem related to an irregular heartbeat is if the person develops sleep apnea. The pauses in breathing during sleep can promote a bradycardia (slowed heart rate) and this then leads to the risk of atrial fibrillation. Which while not as dangerous as ventricular fibrillation can still be a very real cause for concern.

Last thing here around when should I be worried about an irregular heartbeat is to promote general heart healthy guidelines. With a healthy ticker you’ll be in much better shape overall and less likely to have cardiac health concerns of any type. So eating a healthy diet, staying physically active, maintaining a health body weight, and effectively managing stress long term is going to be super beneficial for you too if you are at risk of a heart arrythmia.

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