With syncope, though, the arrhythmia causes such a dramatic drop in the blood pressure that the brain doesn't receive enough blood to keep you awake. Your heart cannot pump blood effectively during excessively fast or slow heart rates, reducing the amount of blood that reaches your brain. You faint because your brain did not get enough oxygen to function, which may be a warning sign that you have a serious medical condition.Īn arrhythmia can cause syncope in the same way that it causes light-headedness (presyncope).Fainting can result in a serious injury (for example, if you faint while climbing stairs or driving). And it is a very worrisome symptom for several reasons: Syncope may be the first sign that you have an arrhythmia. Syncope (say "SING-kuh-pee") refers to a sudden loss of consciousness that doesn't last long. In contrast, light-headedness due to an arrhythmia can occur even when you are sitting or reclining. In general, medicine-induced light-headedness frequently occurs soon after you stand up because of a drop in blood pressure that happens when you stand (orthostatic hypotension). Many of the medicines used to treat heart conditions, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and diuretics, can lower the blood pressure excessively and result in light-headedness. Other causes of light-headedness include hyperventilation, panic or anxiety attacks, prolonged standing, and excessive fluid loss caused by problems such as vomiting or diarrhea. For this reason, your doctor will try to find out whether your dizziness is caused by a heart condition, medicine, or other things. When is light-headedness not caused by an arrhythmia?ĭizziness can be caused by conditions other than arrhythmia. Syncope is the medical term for a temporary loss of consciousness (passing out). If your blood pressure drops too low, you may feel that you are about to pass out. The sensation of light-headedness is a result of this lack of blood flow to the brain. The ineffective pumping action decreases your blood pressure, reducing the amount of blood that reaches your brain. This happens because your heart cannot pump blood effectively during excessively fast or slow heart rates. If you have an arrhythmia that causes your heart to beat too fast or too slow, you may feel light-headed or dizzy. So he or she will probably order an electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) or further stress testing to evaluate the rhythm or rule out angina. In many cases, your doctor may not be sure based strictly on your description. How you describe your pain may help your doctor figure out whether the chest pain is the result of an abnormal rhythm or angina. In people who have coronary artery disease, a rapid heart rate can cause angina. In people who have healthy hearts, palpitations may cause a pounding or thumping sensation that can be painful or uncomfortable, rather than the heavy, tight, or squeezing sensation, called angina, usually associated with heart attacks. Some people experience rapid heart rates not as palpitations but rather as chest pain. How do palpitations cause chest discomfort? But it can be a very helpful start if you are not experiencing arrhythmia while you are in your doctor's office (which means your doctor will be unable to record the arrhythmia on an EKG during the visit). Your doctor will likely not diagnose an arrhythmia based on your demonstration. This can help your doctor figure out whether the palpitations were the result of an arrhythmia and in some cases may allow a relatively accurate diagnosis as to the specific arrhythmia that caused the palpitations. If you see a doctor about your palpitations, it is very helpful if you can demonstrate the rhythm and speed of the palpitations by tapping your fingers on a desk or table. The pattern of the palpitations can be very helpful in determining the type of arrhythmia that caused them. What are the different types of palpitations? Some people report a vague "fluttering" in their chests or the feeling of a "skipped beat." Others note a "pounding sensation" or feel that the heart is "jumping out of my chest." Palpitations are rarely painful. The experience of palpitations is often described differently by different people. Having palpitations means that you are unusually aware of your heartbeat. Some of these symptoms include palpitations, light-headedness, fainting, and shortness of breath. These symptoms happen because the heart isn't beating regularly or may not be pumping blood as well as normal. Heart rhythm problems, called arrhythmias, can cause a few types of symptoms.
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