My home blood pressure monitor shows irregular heartbeat reddit

• Wellness articles

Published Feb. 9, 2018 ,  Updated Feb. 9, 2018

Pay attention to your heartbeat

People say, “My heart skipped a beat,” when they’re scared or excited. But an irregular heartbeat is actually much more common than you’d think.

“An irregular heartbeat is called an arrhythmia,” says Dr. Pugazhendhi Vijayaraman, cardiac electrophysiologist and director of cardiac electrophysiology at Geisinger Northeast. “There are many different types, which can be temporary or permanent. Often, arrhythmias are harmless; however, if you feel a persistent irregular heartbeat, see a doctor.”

One type of arrhythmia, a premature ventricular contraction, or PVC, is the most common type of irregular heartbeat.

A PVC happens when the heart beats too early, which causes a stronger second beat. This causes a fluttering or pounding sensation in the chest. Most people have at least one PVC every day, and many don’t even notice it.

Things like caffeine, alcohol and stress can cause small, temporary arrhythmias like PVCs. But there are factors that can cause permanent arrhythmias, too.

Here are four potential causes of a persistent, irregular heartbeat:

1. Coronary artery disease
   Your arteries are highways for oxygen and nutrients. However, fat, cholesterol and calcium can build plaques in the arteries, causing coronary artery disease. These plaques make it difficult for blood to flow and can put pressure on the heart.  

   “Coronary artery disease weakens the heart by putting it under too much pressure,” says Dr. Vijayaraman. “As the heart weakens, irregular heartbeats can develop.”

   Coronary artery disease can cause dangerous arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, or AFib. It’s a rapid, quivering heartbeat that can lead to heart palpitations, blood clots, heart attack and stroke.
   
   

2. Heart surgery
   Heart surgery is a life-saving operation—it can remove clots and help you get your life back. 

   But, operating on the heart can change the way the heart works, including the way your heart beats. Heart surgery can increase your risk of arrhythmias, so your doctors will often monitor your heart after surgery.

3. Changes in your heart muscle
   If you’ve had a heart attack, you may have scar tissue on your heart muscle. This scar tissue can cause the heart to beat irregularly by restricting or changing the heart. 

   After a heart attack, there is also risk of cardiomyopathy or an abnormality of the heart. With cardiomyopathy, your heart may swell and make it harder to pump blood. This can also lead to arrhythmia.

4. Electrolyte imbalance
   You’ve likely heard of electrolytes in sports drinks, but they relate to your heart, too.

   “Electrolytes are small traces of metal that conduct electricity, which allows the heart to beat,” explains Dr. Vijayaraman . “Sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium are all examples of electrolytes. If you have too many or too few electrolytes in your body, it can change the way your heart beats.”

When to see a doctor

While PVCs are normally harmless, certain types of arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation (VFib), can lead to cardiac arrest and heart attack. VFib can paralyze the heart—making it unable to pump blood. If left untreated, VFib can lead to cardiac arrest.

If you feel a persistent irregular heartbeat, your doctor can help diagnose the type of arrhythmia and monitor your heart. They may refer you to an Electrophysiology (EP) lab, where they can test, diagnose and treat arrhythmias.

Get emergency medical attention if you experience dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath and pain in your chest. These symptoms could be a sign of a severe arrhythmia and heart attack. Similarly, if you notice numbness on one side of your body, confusion, facial drooping and muscular weakness, these symptoms could be a sign of a stroke.

Next steps:

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Having a hiccup in your heart rhythm can be uncomfortable – as well as frightening. But when does an extra heartbeat or other unexpected feeling warrant a visit to your doctor?

John Hummel, MD, a heart rhythm specialist at the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, sheds some light on irregular heart rhythms, or types of arrhythmias, which are fairly common.

“It can be tempting to jump to the worst-case scenario when it comes to your heart, and to think that an irregular heartbeat is a sign of a serious disease,” says Dr. Hummel. “But it doesn't always require treatment.”

The possible causes of an irregular heartbeat can vary widely – from too much caffeine to a more potentially dangerous condition of having your blood pressure skyrocket or plummet.

There are several types of irregular heartbeats. Dr. Hummel explains some people experience an extra heartbeat, a skipped beat, too fast of a beat (called tachycardia) or too slow of a beat (called bradycardia).

When to see a doctor immediately?

Dr. Hummel says it can be difficult for most people to know if an irregular heartbeat is a sign of something more serious.

Go immediately to the doctor if you have additional symptoms with your irregular heartbeat or you’ve had a heart attack or other heart stress. According to Dr. Hummel, those symptoms include fainting, dizziness, chest pain, swelling in your leg or shortness of breath.

“There’s a big difference between sitting in a chair and noticing your heart skipping and having fluttering that makes you feel like I’m going to pass out,” says Dr. Hummel.

“The other issue is whether your heart is structurally normal. If it’s not, abnormal heart rhythms more commonly will increase your risk of stroke or sudden death.”

Look at your actions and environment

Dr. Hummel says external factors could be causing disruptions in your heart rhythm:

• Too much caffeine or alcohol
• Dehydration
• Drug abuse
• Fever
• Anemia
• Emotional distress
• Sleep apnea
• Pregnancy
• Eating or exercising

Dr. Hummel advises you make notes of when you experience irregular heartbeats and share this information with your doctor. Remember, not all unusual heart rhythms will require treatment. "Abnormal heartbeats can come and go, especially in young people,” states Dr. Hummel.

What type of tests can help diagnose an irregular heartbeat?

The first test is usually an echocardiogram, which looks at the structure and function of your heart. You may have an exercise stress test on a treadmill or stationary bike to measure your heart’s response to exertion. Patients might also be asked to wear a portable monitoring device (called a Holter monitor) for 24 to 48 hours that records every heartbeat and monitors for irregular heart rhythm.

“We have a wide range of diagnostic tools and we work to figure out what the cause is by looking at your actions and your medical history,” explains Dr. Hummel. He points out some people may have an inherited abnormal heart rhythm. Learn more about genetic heart testing.

The bottom line on your irregular heartbeat

• If you have skipped heartbeats, you need to pay attention to your body and then get an assessment.
• The urgency of that assessment is determined by whether you have additional symptoms or structural heart disease.

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