How common are heart rhythm problems?

Heart rhythm problems, more commonly known as ‘arrhythmia’, is a very common condition, affecting around 2 million people across the UK.

However, most people with abnormal heart rhythms can lead a normal life when the condition has been properly diagnosed and managed.

We spoke to Dr Anthony Chow, Consultant Cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, on everything we need to know about arrhythmia.

Arrhythmias can affect all age groups

Arrhythmias can affect all age groups but the most common type of heart rhythm problem is ‘Atrial Fibrillation’ (AF), which is more common in older people. It can be as common as 10% in the population in their 70’s and almost 29% in those in their 80’s. This condition occurs when the heart is beating irregularly and much faster than normal.

Bradycardia is another common type of arrhythmia. Bradycardia happens when your heart rate is much slower than normal. A normal adult resting heart rate is typically between 60-100 beats per minute, but if you have bradycardia, the heart beats fewer than 60 times a minute. Bradycardia can be normal for some people, especially if you’re extremely fit. However, it’s important to keep an eye on any additional symptoms such as dizziness, breathlessness, and chest pain.

How many people may be unaware they have a problem?

Around 1 in 45 people in the UK are known to live with a heart rhythm condition. The number of people diagnosed with this condition is continuing to rise, with their highest incidence in older patients.

Better recognition and diagnosis of the condition is a key element behind the rise in the number of people who are known to have Atrial Fibrillation. There are over 1 million people with AF in the UK. However, studies estimate that there are around 300,000 people in the UK who are undiagnosed and remain unaware they have arrhythmia.  Further research is needed to investigate new ways to identify people who are at risk so that they can be diagnosed earlier.

What are the warning signs of heart rhythm problems?

Key symptoms to look out for are palpations, breathlessness, and dizziness. However, not everyone experiences these exact symptoms and, in some cases, patients can experience no symptoms at all.

Key warning signs to look out for are: 

• Thumping or fluttering sensation in your heart/chest area
• Dizzy spells
• Feeling as though you may faint
• Breathlessness
• Chest discomfort
• Feeling overly tired

How can you tell if your heart rhythm is abnormal and what can be done about it?

It is not usual that we are aware of our heart beating, unless there is a disturbed rhythm. You should speak to your doctor if your heart palpations are lasting a long time/aren’t improving and seem to be getting worse. If you have any previous history of heart problems and are becoming increasingly concerned about your heart palpations you should speak to a medical expert.

Acute instances of symptoms could be a warning sign of something more serious so it’s important to seek medical advice if you’re concerned. In some cases, arrhythmia could be an indication of a medical emergency such as a heart attack.

Tests such as an ECG (Electrocardiogram) are often used to detect the condition by measuring the timing and duration of an electrical signal in the heart. You can also use an Echocardiogram test which is a non-invasive test using a hand-held ultrasound device placed on the chest to image the heart, producing an image of the heart’s size, structure, and motion.

Depending on your condition and how severe your case is, there are a variety of different treatments available. Medications can be used to treat heart arrhythmias, depending on the type of arrhythmia and any potential complications. Therapies such as Cardioversion can be used to reset the heart rhythm by sending a shock through the chest to your heart, to reset the heart’s rhythm.

Types of procedures and surgeries used to treat heart arrhythmias include: 

• Catheter Ablation – in this procedure, catheters wires are threaded through the blood vessels directly to the heart. Heat energy can be delivered through electrodes to create tiny scars in your heart to block abnormal electrical signs and restore normal heartbeats.
• Pacemaker – if slow heartbeats (Bradycardias) can’t be corrected, doctors often use a pacemaker to help restore a normal heart rhythm. Electrode-tipped wires connected to the pacemaker are passed through the veins, into larger blood vessels to the heart. The pacemaker then sends out electrical impulses if the heart rate gets too slow or stops, helping to stimulate it and restore a steady rate.

What problems can arrhythmia cause? 

Heart arrhythmia can cause a variety of serious heart health complications such as stroke, heart failure and heart attacks.  Heart arrhythmias in particular AF, are often associated with an increased risk of blood clots, so it’s extremely important to be aware of the warning signs. If a blood clot breaks loose, it can travel directly from the heart to the brain which can cause a stroke. You should consult your doctor and get referred to a cardiac rhythm specialist for assessment if you have significant symptoms.

If you’re concerned about your heart health, book an appointment to see a cardiologist now. Call 020 7616 4988.

To find out more on HCA UK’s cardiac care services, click here

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