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Depending on a person's age and fitness level the average resting heart rate is in the 70-80 beats per minute (bpm) range. As a person gets fitter their resting heart rate decreases. Most people will experience a heart "palpitation” - a brief period where the heart races or beats irregularly. This can be bought on by a number of causes including physical activity and anxiety. It will feel as though you've "skipped” a beat and is generally nothing to worry about. However if this becomes more regular then it should be investigated by a doctor.
Depending on a person’s age and fitness level the average resting heart rate is in the 70-80 beats per minute (bpm) range. As a person gets fitter their resting heart rate decreases. Most people will experience a heart “palpitation” – a brief period where the heart races or beats irregularly. This can be bought on by a number of causes including physical activity and anxiety. It will feel as though you’ve “skipped” a beat and is generally nothing to worry about. However if this becomes more regular then it should be investigated by a doctor.
The heart is effectively two pumps made up of four chambers. It is the contraction of these chambers which make the sounds of the heart beat. One pump delivers blood to the body providing nutrient rich, fresh oxygenated blood to every cell in the body, the other, sends “used” blood to the lungs to remove gaseous wastes (carbon dioxide) and pick up more oxygen to be circulated. Combined with the body’s blood vessels this is known as the “circulatory” system.
Occasional palpitations during periods of emotional or physical stress are normal and are nothing to worry about. The symptoms of more serious heart arrhythmia include:
- Palpitations that persist with or without chest pain
- Dizziness, light-headedness, sweating or fainting associated with the palpitations
- Shortness of breath
The heart can also experience an abnormal beating cycle known as an “arrhythmia” of which there are types:
- Tachycardia – when the heart beat is elevated. This generally occurs in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). It is those that occur in the lower chambers (ventricles) that are most dangerous and can lead to sudden death as the heart starts to quiver (fibrillate) rather than beat in a controlled manner. A tachycardia is normal during and after exercise and is proportional to the intensity of exercise undertaken.
- Bradycardia – this is when the heart beats slowly. This can be caused by a problem in the specialist cells known as the “sinus node” that regulate heart rate. In other instances such a bradycardia may be the result of an electrical conduction problem between the upper and lower chambers of the heart resulting in only intermittent transfer of impulses and therefore beats. As a person becomes physically fitter their resting heart rate will decrease as the heart becomes more efficient.
Certain drugs can cause arrhythmias including:
- Appetite suppressants
- Beta blockers
- Caffeine
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Nicotine in cigarettes
Heart arrhythmias can be a symptom of more serious underlying problems:
- Scar tissue in the heart due to prior heart attacks
- Congenital heart disease
- Problems with the electrical circuitry of the heart
- Significant electrolyte (e.g. Low sodium levels) abnormalities.
If you experience persistent irregularities of heartbeat you should consult with your doctor for a thorough medical examination. He or she may refer you onto a specialist (cardiologist) who may perform any number of tests including a resting and/or stress ECG, holter monitoring, stress echogram or chest x-rays.
The treatment of the abnormality will depend on the cause. Not all chronic arrhythmias are dangerous and in some instances simply lifestyle changes may be enough to stop the arrhythmias from recurring (e.g. Stress management). Other more dangerous types of arrhythmias may require more involved interventions such as medication, installation of a pace-maker/defibrillator, etc. |
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