Symptoms of an Arrhythmia
To properly understand your arrhythmia, your healthcare team will need to conduct a thorough evaluation. This will involve gathering information about your symptoms and reviewing your medical history.
Arrhythmias can cause a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from subtle to severe.
- Mild Symptoms:
- Single premature heartbeats might feel like a "skipped beat" or a "fluttering" sensation.
- Frequent premature beats can lead to a more pronounced awareness of heart palpitations, often felt in the chest or neck.
- Moderate Symptoms (when arrhythmias disrupt heart function):
- Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and lightheadedness.
- Fainting or near-fainting episodes.
- Rapid heartbeat or a pounding sensation in the chest.
- Shortness of breath accompanied by anxiety.
- Chest pain or pressure.
- Fluctuations in heart rate (alternating fast and slow).
- Sweating.
- Severe Symptoms: In extreme cases, arrhythmias can lead to collapse and sudden cardiac arrest.
Important Note: If you experience chest pain or pressure, this could indicate a heart attack. Call 911 immediately.
How do heart attack symptoms differ from arrhythmia symptoms?
Both arrhythmias, including AFib, and heart attacks can present with similar symptoms, such as fluttering sensations and heart palpitations. This can make it difficult to distinguish between the two conditions.
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is obstructed, depriving the heart muscle of vital oxygen and potentially causing damage.
While some heart attacks are sudden and severe, many begin gradually with mild discomfort. Common symptoms include:
- Chest discomfort or pressure: This may be constant or intermittent.
- Discomfort in the upper body: This can include pain or pressure in the arms, back, stomach, neck, or jaw.
- Shortness of breath: This may or may not be accompanied by chest discomfort.
- Other symptoms: Cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness.
It's important to note that heart attack symptoms in women can be more subtle and often overlooked.
Arrhythmia and stroke symptoms
Individuals with AFib have a significantly increased stroke risk, approximately five times higher than those without the condition. Therefore, recognizing the signs of a stroke is crucial for everyone, but especially for those living with AFib.
Key Stroke Symptoms:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.