Common types of arrhythmias include paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation. The most common type is atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular and abnormally fast heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation significantly increases the risk of stroke, according to the Daily Mail (UK).
Arrhythmia increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and even sudden death.
Arrhythmias can occur at any age, with the elderly being at high risk. Other factors that increase the risk of arrhythmias include thyroid disorders, infections, sleep apnea, stress, caffeine intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, diet pills, and cough and cold medications.
The main warning signs of arrhythmia are palpitations, dizziness, feeling faint, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and fatigue. Among them, palpitations are a very common sign. The patient will feel the heart pounding in the chest.
Sometimes in some situations, we also feel this condition but in fact the body is completely normal. The cause may be due to stress, fatigue or some other factor. Therefore, not all of the above signs will have arrhythmia. However, if they are repeated many times, you need to see a doctor.
Doctor examines patient's heart
Meanwhile, there are people who actually have an arrhythmia but do not have any unusual signs. Others only have a few of the above signs.
One of the easiest ways to detect an arrhythmia is to measure your heart rate. In the hospital, your doctor can easily measure your heart rate with a heart monitor or an electrocardiogram. But you can check your heart rate at home by feeling your pulse on your wrist.
Before checking your heart rate, experts recommend that people sit down and rest for at least 5 minutes and avoid stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine. These substances will affect your heart rate.
Next, use your index and middle fingers to feel and count the pulse rate in your wrist for 1 minute. A healthy resting heart rate for people under 18 is 70-120 beats per minute, for adults it is 60-100 beats per minute, and for the elderly it is 55-90 beats per minute. If the heart rate measured in 1 minute exceeds this number, it could be a warning sign of arrhythmia, according to the Daily Mail.
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