Millions have an abnormal heart rhythm or arrythmia — and many don’t even realise it.

The most common type is atrial fibrillation (AF), which causes an irregular and often unusually fast heartbeat and drastically raises the risk of a stroke.

If diagnosed, AF can be treated. 

However, it’s estimated there are at least 270,000 people in the UK who are unaware they have the condition, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The figure is thought to stand at closer to 1.5million in the US.

‘What remains troubling is the sheer number of people who are undiagnosed and unaware they are living with a heightened risk of stroke,’ says BHF medical director, Professor Sir Nilesh Samani. 

‘Finding people with this hidden threat must remain a priority.’

Trudie Lobban, founder of the Arrhythmia Alliance, a coalition of patients, healthcare professionals and policymakers, adds: ‘Heart rhythm disorders are a leading cause of sudden cardiac death and devastating strokes.

‘And yet too few people are aware of the rhythm of their heart.’

To mark World Heart Rhythm Week, experts are highlighting the importance of being aware of arrhythmia warning signs and getting things checked out. Here’s what you need to know…

Arrhythmias can affect all age groups

However, AF is most common in older age groups. 

As Dr Anthony Chow, a consultant cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, explains: ‘Heart rhythm problems are a very common condition that can affect all age groups.

‘But AF is more common in older people. 

‘It can be as common as [affecting] 10 per cent of the population in their 70s, and almost 29 per cent of those in their 80s.’

From a ‘fluttering’ sensation in your chest to feeling as though your heart has skipped a beat, there are signs of an arrhythmia to watch out for

Arrhythmias can have many causes

Lobban says many conditions can cause heart rhythm problems, including thyroid disorders, infections and sleep apnoea.

Triggers can also include stress, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, diet pills, and cough or cold medicines. 

‘But there is usually an underlying physical reason for it,’ Lobban adds.

Warning signs to look out for

Key warning signs, according to Dr Chow, are palpations (a thumping or fluttering sensation in your heart/chest), dizzy spells and feeling faint, breathlessness, chest discomfort, and feeling overly tired.

These things don’t automatically mean you have a heart problem, but it’s important to get any symptoms checked out. 

And Dr Chow adds: ‘Not everyone experiences these exact symptoms and, in some cases, patients can experience no symptoms at all.’

How to measure your heart rhythm

There are many ways heart rhythms can be measured clinically, through ECGs or monitors. You can check your pulse yourself at home, too.

‘The easiest way to detect an arrhythmia is to feel your pulse and hence your heart rhythm – is it irregular, too fast, or too slow?’ says Lobban. ‘Such a simple thing as a 30-second pulse rhythm check can literally save your life.’

The Heart Rhythm Alliance has a ‘know your pulse’ guide on their website. Lobban says you should sit down for five minutes beforehand, and remember that any stimulants you’ve taken, like caffeine or nicotine, will affect the rate.

You’ll need a watch that measures seconds (take it off to do the test), or your phone timer could work. Hold your left or right hand out with your palm facing up and elbow slightly bent. With your other hand, place your index and middle fingers on your wrist near the base of your thumb, between the bone and stringy thumb tendon, to find your pulse.

Once you’ve found your pulse, maintain a firm pressure and count the beats for 30 seconds, then multiply by two to get your heart rate in beats per minute. If your heart rhythm is irregular, you should count for one minute and don’t multiply.

Arrhythmia can cause many serious health problems

Heart arrhythmia can cause a variety of serious heart health complications including strokes, heart failure and heart attacks, explains Dr Chow. 

‘Heart arrhythmias, in particular AF, are often associated with an increased risk of blood clots, so it’s extremely important to be aware of the warning signs,’ he says. 

‘If a blood clot breaks loose, it can travel directly from the heart to the brain, which can cause a stroke. 

‘You should consult your doctor and get referred to a cardiac rhythm specialist for assessment if you have significant symptoms.’

When to see a doctor

If you have any previous history of heart problems and/or are becoming increasingly concerned about palpations, you should speak to a medical expert, Dr Chow advises. Those with a family history of arrythmia and/or sudden cardiac death should also make sure they get checked out.

‘It’s not usual that we’re aware of our heart beating, unless there’s a disturbed rhythm,’ he says. 

‘You should speak to your doctor if your heart palpations are lasting a long time, or aren’t improving and seem to be getting worse. 

‘Acute instances of symptoms could be a warning sign of something more serious, so it’s important to seek medical advice if you’re concerned. In some cases, arrhythmia could be an indication of a medical emergency such as a heart attack.’

Treatment for arrhythmia

Arrhythmias can be treated in a variety of ways. ‘Some require no more than reassurance after diagnosis, but others may need drug therapy, or implantation of an electrical device such as a pacemaker or ICD,’ says Lobban.

Dr Chow says therapies such as cardioversion can be used to reset the heart rhythm by sending a shock through the chest to the heart, and there are also procedures and surgeries including catheter ablation, where wires are threaded through blood vessels directly to the heart and heat is used to create tiny scars in the heart to block abnormal electrical signs and restore a normal heartbeat.

Dr Chow adds: ‘Most people with abnormal heart rhythms can lead a normal life when the condition has been properly diagnosed and managed.’