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Arrhythmias are abnormal rhythms of your heartbeat (watch the video). This means that your heart may beat too slowly (bradycardia), too fast (tachycardia), or in an irregular pattern. These abnormal rhythms can occur when the electrical impulses coming from your heart don’t fire as they normally should.
There are many types of arrhythmias that can occur with varying degrees of symptoms. If you’re having symptoms that are interfering with daily living — causing fatigue, fainting or chest pain — you should be evaluated by a physician to diagnose if an arrhythmia is the cause.
Atrial fibrillation (or "afib") is the most common type of arrhythmia; it’s a fast, irregular heartbeat. In afib, electrical signals fire in a very fast or uncontrolled fashion, causing the atrial chambers of the heart to twitch, quiver or contract. Blood can pool in the heart causing blood clots, and if a blood clot travels to the brain, stroke can occur.
Watch a video on the signs and symptoms of arrythmias.
Watch the video on arrhythmia treatments.