An arrhythmia is an abnormality in the rhythm of the heart. It feels like a fibrillation or a brief pause. It may not affect your overall heart rate because it lasts for a very short time. However, it can cause your heart rate to be too slow or too fast. Some arrhythmias do not cause any symptoms, while others may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. There are two basic types of arrhythmias. One is bradycardia, which is characterized by a slow heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute. The other is called tachycardia, which is a rapid heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute. What are the signs of arrhythmia? An arrhythmia that is very short in duration will cause few symptoms. It may feel like your heart is missing a beat, but you hardly notice it. It may also feel like a fluttering in the chest or neck. If the arrhythmia is severe or if it lasts too long and your heart function is affected, your heart may not be able to deliver enough blood to all parts of your body. In this case, you may feel tired, dizzy, faint, or even die. Tachycardia reduces the heart’s ability to deliver blood, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or unconsciousness. In severe cases, it can also lead to heart disease or death. How are arrhythmias treated? Before treatment, the doctor must first understand the site of the arrhythmia in the heart and whether there are any abnormalities. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is often used to diagnose heart rhythm disorders. It produces an image recording of the electrical impulses of the heart. A 24-hour ECG, exercise stress test, tilt table test and electrophysiological examination (which “maps” the heart’s electrical system) are other methods used to determine the site of an arrhythmia. Treatment includes: Lifestyle changes Medications to prevent and control arrhythmias Medications to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and heart failure Anticoagulants to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke Pacemakers to help your heart beat more regularly Defibrillation or use of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) Cardiac ablation Surgery What is defibrillation? It is a method of restoring a heartbeat from abnormal to normal with a rapid electrical shock. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can be implanted under the skin in the upper chest to produce an electric shock or as a pacemaker. It detects abnormal heart rhythms and can work 24 hours a day. What is ablation? It is a treatment for arrhythmias that allows the heart rate to return to normal. For treatment, a thin tube (catheter) is introduced into the heart muscle along a vein. The tip of the catheter releases energy in an instant to destroy the small area of heart tissue that is causing the abnormal electrical signal.