Skip to content
We're not telling you anything new when we say that the heart is one of the most important organs in the human body.
It's a vital organ.
The heart is a muscle that pumps blood to all parts of your body.
It's the blood that supplies the rest of the body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to survive.
The beat you can hear is the sound of the heart pumping blood throughout your body. This beat is controlled by the heart's electrical system.
Occasionally, the heart's electrical system, which is responsible for this pumping action, does not function properly.
There are many possible causes, including, but not limited to, coronary artery disease, medication, chemicals in the blood or unknown factors.
When the electrical system malfunctions and causes abnormal heart rhythms, we refer to these as "arrhythmias", which are not to be confused with heart palpitations caused by other factors. How to tell if it's a simple heart palpitation or cardiac arrhythmia?
What is cardiac arrhythmia?
Cardiac arrhythmia is a condition characterized by irregularities in the normal heart rhythm.
It can manifest itself as beats that are too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia) or chaotic (atrial fibrillation).
Symptoms can vary from person to person, ranging from mild palpitations to dizziness, chest pain or fainting.
Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for effective management of this heart condition.
Causes of arrhythmia
Cardiac arrhythmia can have a variety of causes.
They include electrical problems with the heart, structural cardiac disorders, chemical imbalances, pre-existing heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, smoking, excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption, stress and certain medications.
A thorough medical evaluation is necessary to determine the specific cause of the arrhythmia and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
What are heart palpitations?
Visit heart palpitations are an abnormal, perceptible sensation of the heartbeat.
They can be felt as fast, strong, irregular or skipping beats.
Although often harmless, palpitations can sometimes be a sign of an underlying heart problem. It is therefore important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment if necessary.
Causes of palpitations
Heart palpitations can be caused by a variety of factors.
Common causes include stress, anxiety, excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol or tobacco, stimulant medications, intense physical activity, electrolyte imbalances, anemia, thyroid disorders, cardiac disorders such as arrhythmia or valve malformations.
Medical assessment is necessary to determine the precise cause of palpitations and provide appropriate treatment if needed.
What's the difference?
Heart palpitations occur when the heart seems to skip a beat or beat too fast. There are many reasons for heart palpitations, including :
- Intense physical activity;
- Ingestion of caffeine, alcohol or drugs;
- Strong emotions ;
- Etc.
These factors may cause your heart to beat faster than usual, but they don't necessarily mean that the heart isn't working properly.
Conversely, we speak of cardiac arrhythmia when the rhythm of your heart is too fast, too slow or irregular.
Arrhythmia is caused by one or more problems with your heart's electrical system. Sometimes the signals will be too fast or too slow, causing arrhythmia.
Similar to palpitations, you may feel that your heart skips a beat or throbs. However, unlike palpitations, arrhythmia can be caused by serious health problems.
Are any of these problems more serious?
When it comes to heart problems such as arrhythmia and palpitations, severity depends on the underlying cause and how they affect the patient's overall health.
Some cardiac arrhythmias may be benign and only require regular monitoring, while others may be more serious and require medical treatment or surgery.
Similarly, palpitations can be the result of temporary, unconcerning factors, but in some cases they can be a sign of a more serious heart problem.
Why visit our cardiovascular assessment center?
It's very difficult to tell the difference between the two concepts mentioned above.
It's important to consult your doctor for a professional opinion.
Visit Laval Cardiovascular Evaluation CenterWe have the resources to assess your situation quickly and affordably, in St-Jérôme and Vaudreuil-Dorion. Some services are covered by RAMQ.
