Herzrhythmusstörungwhen the heartbeat loses its rhythm.
An arrhythmia is a heartbeat that is too fast, too slow or irregular, caused by a problem in the heart's electrical system. Many are harmless; some need treatment. The key is recording the rhythm while it is happening.
At a glance
- Often noticed as
- Palpitations, dizziness or fainting
- Confirmed with
- An ECG and a Holter recording
- Aim of care
- Identify the rhythm and treat what matters
- Followed up in
- Allgemeine Kardiologie
Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person, and some people have none. These are the most common.
- Palpitations: racing, fluttering, thumping or skipping
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Fainting, or nearly fainting
- Breathlessness
- Tiredness, especially with a slow heart rate
Causes and risk factors
- Extra beats, often with caffeine, stress or poor sleep
- Atrial fibrillation and other fast rhythms
- Age-related wear of the heart's wiring, causing slow rhythms
- Coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy or valve disease
- Thyroid problems and some medicines
- Rarely, an inherited rhythm condition
How it is diagnosed
The diagnosis starts with your history and an examination. These are the tests most often used to confirm it.
- EKGIn der Praxis verfügbar
- Langzeit-EKG (Holter)In der Praxis verfügbar
- EchokardiografieIn der Praxis verfügbar
- BelastungstestIn der Praxis verfügbar
How it is managed
Record the rhythm
An ECG, a Holter monitor or a smartwatch recording during symptoms shows what the rhythm really is.
Reassurance, when it is harmless
Many palpitations are extra beats that need no treatment once the heart is shown to be healthy.
Medicines
Medicines can slow a fast heart or prevent episodes.
Procedures, when needed
Ablation for some fast rhythms, or a pacemaker for slow ones, is arranged by referral.
General information, not a treatment plan. Your treatment is decided with you after an assessment.
Get emergency help now if you have
Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not wait for a clinic appointment.
- Fainting, especially during exercise
- Palpitations with chest pain
- Severe breathlessness with a racing heart
- A very fast heartbeat that does not settle with rest
Common questions
What if my heart is normal when I am in clinic?
That is common. A Holter monitor records over one or more days, and a smartwatch or phone ECG taken during an episode is very useful, so bring it with you.
Are palpitations dangerous?
Most are harmless extra beats. They are worth checking if they are frequent, come with fainting or chest pain, or you already have a heart condition.
Can I drink coffee?
In moderation, usually yes. If caffeine clearly triggers your symptoms, cutting down is sensible.
Other conditions
All conditions- HerzinsuffizienzDer Herzmuskel pumpt oder füllt sich nicht so gut, wie er sollte, sodass der Körper weniger erhält, als er braucht.
- VorhofflimmernEin unregelmäßiger, oft schneller Herzschlag, der in den Vorhöfen entsteht und das Schlaganfallrisiko erhöht.
- BluthochdruckDer Druck in den Arterien bleibt zu hoch. Er verursacht selten Beschwerden, belastet aber Herz und Gefäße auf Dauer.
- Erhöhtes CholesterinZu viel Cholesterin im Blut, das sich über viele Jahre in den Arterienwänden ablagern kann.
- Koronare HerzkrankheitDie Arterien, die den Herzmuskel versorgen, werden durch fetthaltige Ablagerungen verengt.
- KardiomyopathieEine Erkrankung des Herzmuskels selbst, der verdickt, gedehnt oder versteift sein kann.
- HerzklappenerkrankungEine der vier Herzklappen öffnet sich nicht vollständig oder schließt nicht richtig.
- Angina pectorisBrustbeschwerden, meist bei Belastung, wenn der Herzmuskel kurzzeitig zu wenig Blut erhält.
- Diabetes und HerzDiabetes erhöht das Risiko für Herz- und Gefäßerkrankungen, daher werden beide am besten gemeinsam behandelt.
Living with this, or worried you might be?
Book a consultation or send a question on WhatsApp. Your history, results and treatment are reviewed in person, and the plan is explained to you before you leave.
This page explains a condition in general terms. It cannot diagnose you or replace an examination, and it is not a treatment plan. Do not change or stop a medicine without talking to your doctor. If your symptoms are severe, sudden or happening now, seek emergency care immediately.