Abnormal Heart Rhythms
Each heart beat is generated by the passage of electrical current from the top collecting chambers of the heart (atria) down to the main pumping chambers (ventricles).
An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm due to disturbances in the electrical conduction of these heart beats. Arrhythmias can cause symptoms such as palpitations (a thudding or fluttering sensation in the chest) as well as breathlessness and dizziness. These abnormal heart rhythms result from a problem in the conduction system of the heart where the heart beats either too fast, too slowly or irregularly.
The most common arrhythmias are:
- Atrial Fibrillation: This is where the heart beats irregularly and is associated with an increased risk of stroke.
- Atrial Flutter is usually a fast heart rhythm where the atria contract much faster than the ventricles. (typically 300bpm in the atria).
- Supra-ventricular tachycardia (SVT): This is characterised by a very fast, regular heart rhythm that results from an extra electrical circuit connecting the collecting chambers of the heart down to the pumping chambers.
- Ectopic beats are heart beats that are initiated at a different location of the heart as opposed to originating from the pacemaker of the heart (sinoatrial node). A large number of ectopics can cause symptoms and may be indicative of a problem with the underlying structure of the heart.
- Heart Blocks can result in slow heart rates slowed conduction of electricity from the atria to the ventricles. If the heart beat is sufficiently slow it may result in dizziness or loss of consciousness. Significant heart blocks may therefore necessitate the need for a pacemaker.
All our memberships offer access to the following general services:
- Advice and support via email with named consultant
- Private Prescription amendments where required
- Access to introductory offers from our trusted nutritionists and personal trainers
What’s included
Our Palpitations/Arrhythmia Membership package includes the following:
Annual consultation with your named consultant in person or online – it’s your choice
ECG test – assesses your heart rhythm and looks for changes that may represent new abnormalities in the conduction system of the heart.
Echocardiogram (echo) – monitors cardiac function including and the severity of valvular disease.
Ambulatory ECG test - This monitors your heart rhythm for up to 7 days and assesses the severity of any underlying arrhythmia.
Relevant blood tests – These typically include checks on kidney and thyroid function.