An arrhythmia is a change in the rhythm of your heartbeat. Most people have experienced these occasional, brief irregular heartbeats that feel like a skipped, fluttering or racing heartbeat. Cardiac dysrhythmia is technically more correct, as arrhythmia would imply that there is "no rhythm," but this term is not used frequently. An arrhythmia can also mean that your heart beats irregularly (skips a beat or has an extra beat) However, some heart arrhythmias may cause bothersome sometimes even life-threatening signs and symptoms. These occasional changes can be brought on by strong emotions or exercise. They usually are not a cause for alarm. Arrhythmias that occur more often or cause symptoms (see the box below) may be more serious and need to be discussed with your doctor.

Causes of Arrhythmias

The common Causes of Arrhythmias :

It can be caused by heart disease or high blood pressure .

Stress, caffeine, smoking, alcohol, pregnancy, and some medications can also cause an arrhythmia.

The arrhythmia may be caused by a congenital heart defect (a heart problem from birth).

Symptoms of Arrhythmias

Some Symptoms of Arrhythmias :

Shortness of breath

Sweating

Heart murmur

Chest pain

Fainting Skipping beats

Skipping beats - changes in the pattern of the pulse

Paleness

Light-headedness , dizziness

Difficulty exercising

Cardiac arrest

Slow heartbeat

Treatment of Arrhythmias

An artificial pacemaker is an electronic device placed under the skin on the chest. It helps the heart maintain a regular beat, especially when the heart beats too slowly.

Cardiac defibrillation (very brief electric shock) can be used to stop an abnormal rhythm and restore a normal one.

Surgery can correct certain types of arrhythmias. For example, arrhythmias caused by coronary artery disease may be controlled by bypass surgery. When an arrhythmia is caused by a certain area of the heart, sometimes that part of the heart can be destroyed or removed.

Juliet Cohen writes health articles for diseases and disorders.