Dr. Jayne Kivai
Cardiologist
Abnormal Heart Rate And Heart Rhythm
Measurement of Heart rate and heart rhythm go hand in hand.
Abnormal heart rate and/or heart rhythm may rapidly lead to sudden death.
Normal heart rate is between 60 -100 beats per minute.
Heart rate below 60 beats/min is common in athletes and is normal.
Low heart rate, bradycardia, may make you have:
- Fatigue/tiredness
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Rapid/fast heart heart rate, tachycardia, is a case of demand supply mismatch.
This will make you get:
- Palpitations/racing heart,
- Shortness of breath,
- Dizziness, Confusion and low level of consciousness
- Chest pain
The heart beats in a regular rhythmic manner.
When the rhythm is interrupted, it becomes irregular and chaotic, whether slow or fast, it may lead to sudden cardiac death.
This abnormal heart rate and rhythm should be addressed/treated at all times.
There are many factors that will affect your heartrate and heart rhythm.