Almost everyone has felt their heart beat very fast, felt a "fluttering" in their chest or thought that their heart was "skipping a beat." These can be signs of arrhythmia, or abnormal or irregular heartbeat.
Don't panic if you've occasionally had these symptoms. Arrhythmias are extremely common, especially as you get older. Each year millions of people have them.
Most cases are harmless, but some arrhythmias are extremely dangerous and require treatment and management. See your doctor if you have felt any of these symptoms to rule out other problems, such as heart disease, and to give you peace of mind.
This site will help you better understand arrhythmias and what to do if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this problem. It's important to learn the facts and to take action to make lifestyle changes that will help your heart and give you a higher quality of life. Remember, some arrhythmias can be life-threatening, and early diagnosis and management are the best ways to prevent serious problems.
This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 01/07/09.
