Cardiac Arrhythmias: Causes, Symptoms, and What You Can Do

When your heart skips a beat, races too fast, or pounds irregularly, you might be dealing with cardiac arrhythmias, abnormal heart rhythms caused by electrical signals in the heart that don’t fire properly. Also known as heart rhythm disorders, they range from harmless fluttering to dangerous conditions that need immediate care. Not all arrhythmias are emergencies—but ignoring them can be risky. Some people feel nothing, while others get dizzy, short of breath, or pass out. The key is knowing what’s normal and when to act.

Atrial fibrillation, a common type of arrhythmia where the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of beating effectively affects millions, especially as people age. It raises stroke risk, but many don’t realize they have it until something serious happens. Bradycardia, a slower-than-normal heart rate, often under 60 beats per minute can be normal in athletes but dangerous if your heart can’t pump enough blood. And tachycardia, a heart rate over 100 beats per minute at rest might be triggered by stress, caffeine, or an underlying condition like thyroid disease. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re real, measurable problems with clear symptoms and treatments.

What you find in these posts isn’t theory. It’s what people actually experience. You’ll read about how atrial fibrillation shows up in daily life, why bradycardia sometimes needs a pacemaker, and how tachycardia can sneak up after a bad night’s sleep or too much coffee. Some posts dig into how medications, supplements, or even alcohol can trigger or worsen these rhythms. Others explain how doctors test for them, what treatments really work, and when lifestyle changes make more difference than pills. You’ll also see how drug interactions—like mixing blood thinners with certain supplements—can turn a mild rhythm issue into a crisis.

This isn’t about scaring you. It’s about giving you the facts so you can ask the right questions. If you’ve ever wondered whether that skipped beat is nothing—or something—you’ll find answers here. No fluff. No jargon. Just what you need to understand your heart, recognize red flags, and talk to your doctor with confidence.