February Is Heart Month: Are You Ignoring These 5 Arrhythmia Symptoms?

Heart arrhythmia is a very common condition, and it can have different causes and side effects from one person to another. As February is American Heart Month, there’s no better time to take stock of your heart and what symptoms you may have been brushing off that could actually be quite serious. 

At West Houston Heart Center in Houston, Texas, Dr. Humayun Naqvi and his team accurately diagnose the cause of heart arrhythmias and develop personalized treatment plans to protect your cardiac health. Here are five arrhythmia symptoms they want to be certain you don’t ignore.

5 arrhythmia symptoms not to ignore

If you’ve had heart arrhythmia for some time, you may think your symptoms are run of the mill and nothing to worry about. However, if symptoms change over time or become more severe, you need to have your heart checked out by a professional. Watch out for these five arrhythmia symptoms in particular.

1. A change in palpitations

Palpitations are a common arrhythmia during which your heart beats a little too fast, a little too slow, or you have an irregular heartbeat. As long as your doctor knows about your symptoms and they stay the same, simply get regular screenings for additional cardiac issues. However, if symptoms change or worsen, you’re going to want to make an appointment sooner than that.

2. Trouble breathing

Heart palpitations are one thing. Trouble breathing kicks things up a notch, because if you can’t breathe, you can’t oxygenate your blood. If you start having issues with breathing and feel chest pressure, you need to get checked out.

3. Chest pains

If your chest pressure turns into chest pain, you really need to see a doctor right away. While it could just be a side effect of arrhythmia exacerbated by anxiety, there’s a chance you’re approaching a cardiac event. 

4. Dizziness  

Everyone gets dizzy sometimes, but if you have arrhythmia, then dizziness becomes more of a concern. Call your cardiologist and let them know about your new symptom, and ask for an appointment right away.

5. Fainting episodes

If you actually black out, you’re at extreme risk not just for a potential cardiac event but also for injury from a fall. Fainting episodes need to be taken seriously, especially if you have arrhythmia. Have someone drive you to your appointment.

Treating heart arrhythmia

When you see a cardiologist for arrhythmia, they may run a variety of scans and tests to find out how your heart acts when at rest and under stress, and how severe your symptoms are. This helps get a big picture of how much risk you’re at for a cardiac event.

We might recommend lifestyle changes (like changing your diet or stopping smoking), or prescribe heart medication. A pacemaker may also be an option if your arrhythmia is severe and chronic, helping to stabilize your heart rhythm. 

Do any of these heart arrhythmia symptoms sound familiar? If so, it’s time to visit a preventive cardiologist. Call us at 832-400-3957, or request an appointment online.