The idea of your heart skipping a beat is typically associated with a romantic notion. But what steps should you take when your heartbeat starts rising, continuously thundering offbeat? A racing heart isn’t exactly uncommon. However, it is a little concerning. That, too, if you keep experiencing it frequently. So, when exactly should you be worried about an irregular heartbeat? To find out, keep reading this blog.
What Does An Irregular Heartbeat Mean?
In most cases, an intense pounding of your heart is an indicator that you might be suffering from heart arrhythmia. Arrhythmia is a condition that deals with the irregularity of your heartbeat. Whether your heart’s rhythm pounds very fast or is far too slow, it’s all related to the heart’s electrical signals not functioning properly.
Moreover, due to its versatility, sometimes you might feel a tiny fluttering in your chest. Other times, there may be severe hammering instead. However, no matter how harmless it may seem, arrhythmia is a serious heart disorder that needs immediate care and attention.
Types of Arrhythmia
Considering how arrhythmia deals with irregular heartbeats, there are three kinds it focuses on the most. These subdivisions are:
Tachycardia
When your starts racing at full speed, seeming like it might flip-flop out of your heart, that is a feeling best known as tachycardia. You can identify this if your resting heart rate is 100 beats a minute or more.
Bradycardia
In contrast, when your heartbeat slows down to the point of barely being noticeable, it is a case of bradycardia. It essentially takes into effect when your resting heart rate is 60 or below.
Premature Heartbeat
Rather than being concerned with how fast or slow your heart is beating, a premature heartbeat is a pulse that goes off too soon. That is to say, when you experience your heart skipping a beat, it’s just an extra pulse escaping from the top or bottom chamber of your heart. This happens as a result of erratic heart contractions.
When Should I Be Worried About An Irregular Heartbeat?
Rather than waiting and contemplating when you should contact a doctor, do it as soon as you notice any sign of irregularity arise. Whether your pulse is too fast or too slow, don’t just brush it away.
Of course, it depends on the situation as well. For instance, it’s completely normal for your heart to race when you’re exercising or excited about something. Similarly, when you’re lying down or sleeping, your pulse is relaxed and at its lowest. Thus, in these circumstances, an irregular heartbeat is okay. But if you notice it fluctuates during your day-to-day tasks, a visit to a cardiologist is highly needed.
Long Story Short
To wrap things up, if you’re worried about when you should contact a professional regarding an irregular heartbeat, you should do it the moment you notice it. A heartbeat that is way too fast or too slow can be a cause for concern if not treated in time. Or it could also be an underlying health condition coming to play. In either case, reach out to Epic Heart and Vascular Center for more information at any one of our locations:
- Houston: (832) 432-1951
- Willowbrook: (832) 432-1951