Heart Conditions
Palpitation
Heart palpitations are common, and have a wide range of potential triggers and causes. Although they can be alarming to experience, they’re usually not harmful and may go away on their own. In some cases, however, they can indicate a more serious underlying problem that may need treatment.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm originating in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). It’s the most common type of heart rhythm problem (or arrhythmia), and is thought to affect more than 100,000 people in Ireland. Although it can be benign, and usually isn’t life-threatening, atrial fibrillation increases the risk of a stroke, and often requires treatment.
Heart Rhythm Problems
Each heart has its own normal rhythm brought about by the flow of electrical impulses from the heart’s natural pacemaker, known as the ‘sinus node’.
Ectopic Beats
Ectopic beats are additional beats of the heart, which can cause symptoms ranging from palpitations to fatigue – and sometimes no symptoms at all. Ectopic beats are quite common, and for the vast majority of people they are completely harmless. Since they can sometimes indicate an underlying problem or complication with the heart, however, it’s always a good idea to investigate them properly.
Atrial Flutter
Atrial flutter is a relatively common heart problem that causes the heart to beat much more quickly than normal. It originates in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). Although the condition isn’t usually life-threatening, it can raise the risk of a stroke, and often requires treatment.
