Heart Diseases Everyone Needs To Know About

Arrhythmia

On average, the heart beats between sixty to eighty times per minute. A heart arrhythmia, commonly known as an irregular heartbeat or cardiac dysrhythmia, is when the heart beats irregularly, whether it beats too fast or too slow. A slow heartbeat is called a bradycardia where the heart beats less than sixty times per minute, and a fast heartbeat is a tachycardia where the heart beats more than eighty times per minute. Common symptoms of a heart arrhythmia include feeling an unusual beating in the chest cavity, such as the heart pounding, flopping or jumping profusely, dizziness, fainting or passing out, and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience uncomfortable chest pain, similar to angina pain, along with constant fatigue. If a patient believes their heartbeat may be unusual or irregular, especially if they have noticed it for a period of time, they should consult their doctor to have the proper tests performed.

Keep reading to uncover what an atrial fibrillation is and its symptoms now.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs when the heart beats irregularly, similar to arrhythmia. When comparing the symptoms of atrial fibrillation and arrhythmia, numerous similarities can be noticed, hence why knowing how both conditions are similar and different is essential. For instance, atrial fibrillation can lead to various complications, such as blood clots, a stroke, and heart failure. Individuals suffering from atrial fibrillation can experience specific symptoms such as the racing, pounding or fluttering of the heart, constant tiredness and fatigue, lightheadedness or sudden dizziness, distressing pain in the chest, and difficulty breathing upon performing routine daily activities and becoming short of breath. Individuals should have their heart checked regularly, and if they are experiencing an irregular heartbeat, should consult their doctor to determine if it is an arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation, as AF is more serious than a heart arrhythmia.

Next, find out what heart valve disease is and the complications associated with it.