Abnormal Heart Rhythm Types

Every year, Overlake electrophysiologists (heart rhythm specialists) diagnose and treat thousands of heart rhythm problems in our state-of-the-art electrophysiology (EP) labs.

Your heart sends out electrical impulses that regulate its pumping action and how fast it beats (heart rhythm and rate). When something interferes with these signals, the heart can beat too fast, too slow. or at an irregular pace. This heart rhythm problem is known as an arrhythmia.

Types of arrhythmias we treat

The type of arrhythmia you have depends on where the problem starts in the heart and your heart rate. A heart rhythm problem may affect the heart’s upper chambers (atria) or lower chambers (ventricles). At rest, most people’s hearts beat between 60 to 100 beats per minute. 

At the Bob and Patty Edwards Arrhythmia Center at Overlake, we offer comprehensive treatments for all arrhythmia types, including:

• Atrial fibrillation (AFib): The heart’s top chambers beat out of sync with the lower chambers. AFib is the most common heart arrhythmia. 
• Atrial flutter: The heart’s top chambers beat too fast.
• Bradycardia: The heart beats slower than 60 beats per minute
• Tachycardia: The heart beats faster than 100 beats per minute. Ventricular tachycardia originates in the lower chambers. Supraventricular tachycardia starts in the upper chambers.
• Premature contractions: An extra, early heartbeat starts in either the upper or lower chambers.
• Heart block (conduction block): The electrical signals between the heart’s top and lower chambers travel too slowly or can’t get through. 
• Long QT syndrome: A disorder causes the heart to beat dangerously fast and out of rhythm. 
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: An extra pathway between the upper and lower chambers allows electrical signals to travel in both directions and faster than usual.
• Sick sinus syndrome: Damage to the sinoatrial node (the heart’s natural pacemaker) causes an irregular heart rhythm and rate.  
• Ventricular fibrillation (VFib): This life-threatening arrhythmia causes the lower chambers to quiver instead of pumping blood to the body as it should.

Arrhythmia symptoms

Certain arrhythmias can increase your risk of stroke, heart failure, and other life-threatening problems. But the conditions don’t always cause symptoms. 

When arrhythmia symptoms occur, you may experience:

• Chest pain.
• Confusion.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
• Fast or slow pulse.
• Fatigue, especially after physical activity.
• Fluttering heart or like the heart is skipping a beat (heart palpitations).
• Shortness of breath.
• Sweating.