Fred Kusumoto is an electrophysiologist at Mayo Clinic.įRED KUSUMOTO, M.D.: "In some cases people feel their heart palpitating or beating very, very fast or a flip-flop in their heart or chest area. Atrial fibrillation interrupts this regular beat.įRED KUSUMOTO, M.D.: "In atrial fibrillation, instead of the atria squeezing in a normal regular fashion, the atria beat irregularly and chaotically." Most people who have ventricular fibrillation have an underlying heart disease or have experienced serious trauma, such as being struck by lightning. This serious problem can lead to death if the heart rhythm isn't restored within minutes.
Rapid, chaotic electrical signals cause the ventricles to quiver instead of contracting in a coordinated way. Supraventricular tachycardia causes episodes of a pounding heartbeat (palpitations) that begin and end abruptly. Supraventricular tachycardia is a broad term that includes arrhythmias that start above the ventricles. But episodes lasting more than a few seconds can be life-threatening. Ventricular tachycardia episodes may be brief and last only a couple of seconds without causing harm. The rapid heart rate doesn't allow the ventricles to fill and squeeze (contract) to pump enough blood to the body. This type of arrhythmia starts in the lower heart chambers (ventricles). People who have atrial flutter also often have atrial fibrillation at other times. Episodes of atrial flutter may go away themselves or may require treatment. Atrial flutter is similar to A-fib, but heartbeats are more organized. A-fib may be temporary, but some episodes won't end unless treated. Chaotic, irregular electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart (atria) cause a fast heartbeat. This is the most common type of tachycardia. Common types of tachycardia caused by irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) include: Other types of tachycardia are grouped according to the part of the heart responsible for the fast heart rate and the cause. Sinus tachycardia refers to a typical increase in the heart rate often caused by exercise or stress. There are many different types of tachycardia. Treatment for tachycardia may include specific maneuvers, medication, cardioversion or surgery to control a rapid heartbeat. But if left untreated, some forms of tachycardia can lead to serious health problems, including heart failure, stroke or sudden cardiac death. Tachycardia may not cause any symptoms or complications.
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