What Does It Mean to Have an Irregular Heartbeat?

Have you ever felt your heart skip a beat or suddenly race for no clear reason? Your heart is a strong muscle that pumps blood through your body, and when its rhythm changes, it can affect how you feel. An irregular heartbeat, also called arrhythmia, means your heart may beat too fast, too slow, or unevenly. While it isn’t always serious, it’s important to know when to pay attention and talk to a doctor.

“Irregular heartbeats can happen for lots of reasons. Sometimes it’s from something simple, like stress, caffeine, or not getting enough sleep,” shares PIH Health Physician John Herald MD “Other times, it can be caused by medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or thyroid problems. Certain medications can also make your heart race unexpectedly," says Dr. Herald.

When should you talk to a doctor? You should talk to a doctor if your irregular heartbeat happens often, lasts a long time, or comes with other symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting. Checking in with a healthcare professional can help identify if there is a medical issue or make sure nothing serious is going on and give you peace of mind.

Irregular heartbeats can be brought on by everyday habits as well as underlying health conditions.

Below are some common triggers and medical causes to watch for.