In determining whether or not you have an abnormal heart rhythm, the doctor will ask you a series of questions to determine the cause of your arrhythmia. From there, he will also probably have you undergo testing to diagnose the exact form and cause of the abnormal heart rhythm. While not all forms of arrhythmia are life-threatening, the diagnosis of an abnormal heart rhythm is important as it can indicate a more serious heart problem you may not have been aware of.
First, the doctor will probably ask about your lifestyle and medical history and try and determine if any of the following factors could be a cause for heart disease:
Insufficient supply of blood. In some cases, not enough blood is pumped to the heart. This can be the result of clogged arteries or low blood pressure. When this is the case, some forms of arrhythmia can occur as a result.
? Coronary heart disease. One of the many problems resulting from coronary heart disease is the onset of more serious forms of arrhythmia. In addition to a reduced flow of blood to the heart as a result of the narrowing of arteries, previous heart attacks scar the heart muscle, affecting the electrical impulses around the heart and causing it to quiver.
? Valve problems. When the valves to the heart are damaged or don’t open and close properly, the risk of developing arrhythmia increases.
? Stress. Stress and anxiety can also cause several forms of arrhythmia, generally tachycardia or premature ventricular contractions
If he determines that you exhibit symptoms indicative of a more serious form of abnormal heart beat, the doctor may require that you undergo a series of tests. Some of the more common tests used in diagnosing an abnormal heart beat include:
Electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart. Electrodes are attached to the chest and occasionally other major arteries in the body and then measure the timing of your heart’s electrical outputs.
Event monitor. In some cases, an ECG will not be sufficient to detect abnormal heart rhythms because it only measures the heartbeat during the test. If you experience intermittent arrhythmias, the doctor might have you wear an event monitor. Electrodes are attached to the chest, and the patient keeps it attached for the next 24 hours. In addition, you will be asked to record your symptoms. This helps your doctor determine the cause of the arrhythmia based on the time of the symptom.
Echocardiogram. During an echocardiogram, a transducer is placed on your chest to display images of your heart’s structure and motion.
Stress test. If your doctor thinks your arrhythmia is induced by exercise, he may have you perform an exercise stress test. During this test, you will walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike while an ECG tracks the heart’s activity. This is designed to induce arrhythmia and helps determine whether coronary heart disease could be the cause of the abnormal rhythm.
Electrophysiologic testing and mapping. This type of test is actually used to induce an arrhythmia so the doctor can help locate the area the arrhythmia occurs. A catheter with electrodes attached it threaded through the blood vessels to shock various parts of the heart and see if they cause an arrhythmia. The doctor guides the catheter with the use of a video x-ray he watches on a screen.