Abnormal heart rate symptoms and treatment
If your heartbeat feels unusually fast, slow, or irregular, it’s worth taking notice—and potentially taking immediate action.
Chances are that you've felt your heart speed up, slow down, or sometimes beat unusually. Most people experience these changes, and if you can identify a likely cause—that cup of coffee you just downed, for example—there may be no reason to be alarmed.
“Your heart rate goes up whenever you do anything stressful,” says cardiac electrophysiologist Denice Hodgson-Zingman, MD. “That could be exerting yourself physically, having an argument, doing something exciting, or exercising. It’s when your heart is inappropriately beating faster or slower that you may be experiencing symptoms of an abnormal heart rate.”
For some people, these changes in heart rate can keep occurring over a long period of time. When this is the case, an abnormal heart rate is often treated with medications designed to correct the irregular rhythm, reduce the chance of stroke, and prevent blood clots from forming
Lifestyle changes can also help. This includes exercising more, managing blood pressure, and drinking less alcohol. Some people may need a procedure or a device such as a pacemaker to manage an irregular heartbeat.
Regardless of the solution, it's important to be aware of your typical heart rate in different states—at rest, upon waking, and during exercise, for example. This knowledge serves as a personal baseline, enabling you to identify what a fast or slow rate may be for you personally.
New technology is making it easier to pay attention to your heart rate, too, especially with the improving tracking capabilities and decreased costs for wearable devices like smartwatches.
Abnormal Heart Rate Signs
Romantics may talk of hearts skipping a beat, but an abnormal heart rhythm—whether fast, slow, or irregular—may indicate a problem.
Reasons why your heart rate can change
Changes in heart rate occur because of shifts in the electrical signals that tell your heart to beat. Exercise, a jolt of caffeine, or time spent resting are not the only factors that can speed, slow, or stutter your heart's natural rhythm.
Other factors that can impact your heart rate include:
● Infection or illness
● Reduced blood count
● Certain medications
● Emotional stress
● Alcohol
Even if you have an abnormal heart rate, you may not experience any symptoms.
When to call your doctor—or 911
If your heartbeat changes for no identifiable reason, talk to your doctor about it—especially if you have a history of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) or heart disease. It’s also a good idea to talk to your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
● Feeling tightness in the chest
● Feeling out of breath
● Feeling sluggish or fatigued
● Having swollen ankles
● Feeling bloated or like you're retaining water
● Sweating
● Feeling anxious
Hodgson-Zingman notes that these symptoms may be subtle.
“You may be OK when you're sitting and not doing anything, but when you get up to move around, you might get lightheaded, dizzy, weak, or just feel like when you try to go upstairs, you just don't have the wind to do it.”
If you're feeling dizzy or faint, these are often early signs of heart arrhythmia. If you need to get care right away, call an ambulance or get a ride to avoid driving yourself while feeling lightheaded. This is also true if you've fainted or if you're experiencing chest pain.