How to Identify Cardiac Rhythms

The four chambers of the heart pump blood throughout the body. The contractions (or beating) of the heart are controlled by electrical signals within the heart. When the heart rate becomes abnormal--called arrhythmia--it can be easily diagnosed using an electrocardiogram, or ECG. However, sometimes simple arrhythmias can be identified by the patient at home.

Things You'll Need

• Stopwatch or watch with second hand

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Instructions

Heart rate disorders

• 1

  Use a watch to determine how many times your heart beats in a minute. Check your pulse at your radial artery--on the inside of your wrist just below the base of your thumb--or carotid artery, in your neck next to your windpipe. A normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute.

• 2

  Bradycardia is a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute. However, if you are an extremely active adult or endurance athlete, your normal resting heart rate may be that low. Other symptoms of bradycardia include fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness and fainting.

• 3

  Tachycardia is a resting heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute. If you experiencing Tachycardia, you may feel or hear your heart pounding, and also experience lightheadedness and other symptoms similar to bradycardia. Tachycardia is life-threatening and if you suspect you may have this condition, seek medical help immediately.

Heart rhythm disorders

• 4

  Other abnormal heart rhythms can be caused by a host of conditions, some of which are manageable, while others are life-threatening.

• 5

  Fibrillation is when your heart quivers like a bowl of gelatin. Atrial fibrillation--fibrillation in the top chambers of the heart--feels like a flopping or fluttering in your chest. It is not life-threatening but can lead to other heart problems and must be treated. Ventricular fibrillation (v-fib) is the most deadly cardiac arrhythmia. It causes sudden cardiac arrest, meaning the patient is unresponsive with no breathing or pulse. This is a dire medical emergency and CPR must be started immediately, as well as the use of an AED (automatic external defibrillator) if it is available.

• 6

  Premature contractions feel like your heart has skipped a beat. This is because a contraction comes too early, then there is a pause, followed by a more forceful beat. It is common in healthy children and teenagers and is often resolved on its own.

• 7

  Other rhythm disorders include heart block, sick sinus syndrome, atrial flutter and sinus arrhythmia. These are best diagnosed using an ECG in a medical setting.

• 8

  Any time your heart is beating in an unusual speed or rhythm, and you feel faint, dizzy or lightheaded, seek medical attention immediately.