Cardiac arrhythmia

Irregular heartbeat

Arrhythmia is any disturbance of the normal electrical activity of the heart, causing an irregular or abnormally fast or slow; heartbeat

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What is cardiac arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is an umbrella term for a number of conditions caused by an abnormal heart rhythm, otherwise known as an irregular heartbeat. As many as two million people in the UK experience heart rhythm problems. Whilst they are clearly common, they should nonetheless be monitored and treated with medication and/or positive lifestyle changes.The main types of arrhythmia are as follows: Arrhythmias range from being a trivial nuisance to life-changing or life-threatening events. Full assessment of the heart is needed to resolve this. They can affect all age groups, and may happen as a result of a congenital heart problem or simply develop over time. Often, arrhythmia problems are heightened by living unhealthily, particularly if an individual has a poor diet, smokes, drinks excessive amounts of alcohol or does no or very little exercise.

At HCA UK, we provide comprehensive care for all types of arrhythmia that spans testing, monitoring and interventional curative procedures like ablation.

Need to know

  • What are the symptoms of arrhythmia?  icon plus

    Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias are varied both in their type and severity. Dependent on the type of heart rhythm problem you have, you may experience:

    • Blackouts or fainting (syncope)
    • Chest pain
    • Dizziness or lightheadedness
    • Palpitations
    • Peeling that your heart is racing
    • Shortness of breath
    • Stroke
    • Tiredness or fatigue

    Arrhythmia often occur in normal hearts but can also be associated with underlying conditions such as heart diseases and thyroid conditions. Certain factors such as stress, excess alcohol, caffeine and certain drugs can also trigger arrhythmia, with no clear cause always easy to define.

  • How is arrhythmia diagnosed? icon plus

    If your GP or consultant thinks you might have arrhythmia, there are a number of outpatient tests available. We'll discuss your symptoms with you and determine the best approach with the help of our experienced consultant electrophysiologists. 

    Tests we offer to help diagnose arrhythmia include:

    Dependent on how easy it is to diagnose, or if indeed you have an arrhythmia, your consultant may carry out one or more of the above tests. They will likely be repeated over time in order to monitor your progress and the effects of your treatment.

  • Potential treatment options icon plus

    EEffective treatments are available for nearly all types of arrhythmia. Be assured that if you are diagnosed with a heart rhythm problem, at HCA UK we have some of the most advanced cardiac care facilities available, supported by a dedicated group of consultant cardiologists, cardiac physiologists, and clinical nurse specialists.

    If you are diagnosed with arrhythmia, your cardiologist will talk you through your treatment options, helping to determine the best approach for you. These options might include:

Our cardiologists

We're proud to work with leading cardiac experts who specialise in management heart rhythm and rhythm disorders, whose skills are matched by their integrity and compassion. 
 

Our locations

From complex cardiothoracic surgery to diagnostic tests and procedures, we provide exceptional cardiac care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.

Request an appointment

Our team can help with any enquiries or you can make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.

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020 7079 4344
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
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