

Arrhythmias can progressively worsen over time. If your child inherits a conduction disorder, it can lead to SIDS. If you have ventricular fibrillation, it may lead to a sudden cardiac arrest. If the blood clot breaks off and travels to the brain, it could cause a stroke. A blood clot can form due to blood pooling into the atria from repeated arrhythmia episodes. Heart failure can develop over time, as the lower chambers of the heart cannot function as efficiently due to repeat arrhythmias. Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be caused by reduced blood flow to the brain over time. If left untreated, arrhythmias can cause severe complications. Lightheadedness, dizziness, or feeling weak.It may feel like your heart skipped a beat, added an extra beat, feels like it is going fast, or slowed down dramatically. While most people overlook heart rhythm issues, some people can feel abnormal heartbeats. Having electrolyte imbalances such as low potassium or low calcium.Taking illegal drugs such as Crystal meth or cocaine.Prescription medications to treat heart issues, thyroid problems, and asthma.Taking over-the-counter medications to treat a cough or cold.Common heart conditions include coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, valvular heart disease, heart infections, congenital heart defects. Any heart condition that affects the heart’s function can increase your risk of developing an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias are more common in people over 60 years old. Medications such as OTC cold medications.įactors that will increase your chance of getting a heart arrhythmia to include:.Consuming too much alcohol or caffeine.Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).Coronary artery disease, which leads to blocked arteries.Conditions such as cardiomyopathy which can change the structure of the heart.Scar tissue from a previous heart attack.Heart attack that is occurring in real time.When this happens, your heart will beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.Ĭonditions that can cause an arrhythmia include: Palpitations: Evaluation in the primary care setting.A heart arrhythmia is a heart condition that occurs when the electrical impulses that coordinate your heartbeats are not working correctly. Irregular fetal heart rhythm or ectopic (extra) beats.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. A heart attack or family history of PVC may increase the risk of someone developing PVCs as they age. The chances of having a PVC increase as people get older. When a child experiences an ectopic heartbeat, it is often a PAC. They are less common in children and typically occur due to an underlying heart condition. Premature ventricular contractions (PVC), which originate in the lower chambers, or ventricles.Įctopic heartbeats are common in adults.Premature atrial contractions (PAC), which originate in the upper chambers, or atria.There are two types of ectopic heartbeat: Anxiety often causes ectopic beats, and they will usually go away by themselves. But it is not a sign of a serious problem. People may be worried if they feel their heartbeat skipping. Despite the skipped or added beat, the heart otherwise functions normally. They are also called premature heartbeats.Įctopic heartbeats are usually not a cause for concern, and they may occur for no known reason. Share on Pinterest Ectopic heartbeats are premature or extra heartbeats.Īn ectopic heartbeat is when the heart either skips a beat or adds an extra beat.
