JP Stroke Foundation

When people tell you their heart is racing, you probably just interpret it as a hyperbole, used to describe a feeling during high stress situations like seeing your crush walk by, doing a presentation, or going bungee jumping. But what if I told you some hearts actually race. I know what you’re thinking. Hearts can’t walk or run. True. But they can pump, and sometimes they can do it faster than normal. This is a type of arrhythmia. Arrhythmias refer to deviations in normal heart rhythms (i.e. too fast, too slow, irregularly) and there are different types [1]. When the heart is beating faster than normal, it is classified as tachycardia. When the heart is beating slower than normal, it is classified as bradycardia.[2]

Changes in the heart’s rhythm can be attributed to changes in heart tissue, stress, and medications [3]. High blood pressure, obesity, and smoking are also risk factors for arrhythmias [4]. If you’re wondering how to know if your heart is truly racing, symptoms include foggy thinking, fatigue, sweating, dizziness, and light-headedness [5]. You may even be able to feel your heart skip a beat or change pace [6]. However, some individuals may not notice any signs or symptoms. If you are concerned with your heart’s rhythm, a common screening test to diagnose arrhythmias are electrocardiograms (EKG or ECG). An EKG provides a measure of the electrical activity of the heart [7].

You can treat an arrhythmia with medication to manage your heart’s rhythm. For example, blood thinners that work to prevent blood clots and avoid stroke are often used. In some cases, treatment will require surgical intervention [8]. Surgical interventions can include implanting cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), that can restore the hearts normal rhythm by sending electrical impulses to the heart [9]. Lifestyle changes can also be made to help manage arrhythmias and avoid comorbidities. This can look different for different individuals but may include maintaining a healthy weight, being physical active, eating a balanced diet and avoiding smoking [10]. So next time you hear someone say their heart is racing, you might want to call a doctor (or not).

Author: Thuvaraha Jeyakumaran

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[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, September 27). Atrial fibrillation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/atrial_fibrillation.htm.

[2] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Arrhythmia. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/arrhythmia.

[3] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Arrhythmia. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/arrhythmia.

[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, September 27). Atrial fibrillation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/atrial_fibrillation.htm.

[5] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Arrhythmia. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/arrhythmia.

[6] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Arrhythmia. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/arrhythmia.

[7] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Arrhythmia. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/arrhythmia.

[8] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Arrhythmia. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/arrhythmia.

[9] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Defibrillators. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/defibrillators.

[10] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Arrhythmia. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/arrhythmia.