Symptoms of Arrhythmia
Symptoms of arrhythmia can range from completely asymptomatic (without symptoms) to loss of consciousness and cardiac sudden death. Severe symptoms are more likely to occur if structural heart disease is present.

Some of the most common symptoms, which can accompany a variety of arrhythmias, include:

• Palpitations (missed beats, thumps, fluttering, or racing)
• Feeling tired
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Extra beats

Symptoms of tachycardia (fast heartbeat) can include:

• Heartbeat that feels like a strong pulse in the neck
• Feelings of discomfort
• Fluttering, racing beat in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Faintness or dizziness
• Sweating

Symptoms of bradycardia (slow heartbeat) can include:

• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath can result from pulmonary edema (also known as congestive heart failure), the buildup of fluid in the alveoli, or air sacs, of the lungs. This can occur when a ventricular arrhythmia causes the left ventricle to be unable to pump out enough of the blood it receives from the lungs, or when the right ventricle can't overcome increased pressure in the pulmonary artery due to left heart failure.

More on this topic

What are Arrhythmias? (VIDEO)
What Makes Your Heart Beat?
Blood's Pathway
The Electric Heart
Symptoms of Arrhythmia
Heart Disease & Arrhythmia
Risk Factors
Testing & Diagnosis
Resetting the Heart's Rhythm
A Heart Healthy Lifestyle

Related Health Centers:

Aneurysm and Stent, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular Continuum, Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis, Coronary Bypass Surgery, Heart Attack and Angina, Hypertension, Stroke, Thrombosis and Embolism, Women and Cardiovascular Health