It happens when your heart’s two upper chambers, or atria, pump out of sync. An estimated 2.7 million to 6.1 million people in the United States have AFib, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ĪFib often causes a fluttering, quivering feeling in your chest. Some heartbeat changes can be more severe and require immediate attention.Ītrial fibrillation, also known as AFib or AF, is the most common type of heart arrhythmia. Some changes in how your heart beats may cause damage over time. Tachycardia is when your resting pulse rate is too fast (more than 100 bpm). Bradycardia is when your resting pulse rate is too slow (less than 60 bpm).

Nicotine use, too much caffeine, and alcohol and drug use also can affect your heart rate.Īrrhythmias fall into two basic types. Some medicines can increase or decrease your heart rate.

Athletes, such as marathon runners, may have resting heart rates below 60 bpm. And it can slow down when you are resting or relaxed. It also can increase when you’re sick or under stress. It can increase when you’re active, such as when you’re exercising. Your heart rate can change throughout the day and depending on the situation. It’s the number of times your heart beats each minute while at rest. Your doctor can perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess the seriousness of an irregular heartbeat.Ī resting heart rate, or pulse, is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm), according to the American Heart Association. If your heart isn’t restarted immediately, it can lead to death.Īn irregular heartbeat isn’t always a warning sign. This is when your heart suddenly stops beating and stops pumping blood to your body. It also can be a warning sign for sudden cardiac arrest. They can become damaged or stop working altogether.Īn irregular heartbeat or rhythm can be a warning sign that something is wrong with your heart. When this happens, organs don’t get the steady flow of blood needed to do their job. Arrhythmias prevent your heart from pumping blood effectively. Why a Normal Heartbeat MattersĪ regular heartbeat provides a steady flow of blood to your organs, such as your lungs and brain. This, in turn, can affect your heart rate (how fast your heart beats) and rhythm (how evenly it beats). These electrical signals can become irregular or abnormal. Blood gets pumped through your heart as the atria and ventricles alternate squeezing. Changes to how your heart normally beats are called arrhythmias and can have serious consequences for your health.Įlectrical impulses cause your heart’s upper and lower chambers - the atria and ventricles - to contract and expand. But sometimes your heartbeat can go haywire. When you heart beats normally, it pumps blood continuously and evenly throughout your body.

Signs of heart arrhythmia