Heart Arrhythmia vs. Atrial Fibrillation

Have you ever experienced an irregular heartbeat? While your heart rate may increase during exercise or when you're anxious or scared, a healthy heartbeat will return to normal once you've recovered.

But sometimes, you may experience an irregular heartbeat, known as an arrhythmia. A common type of arrhythmia is called atrial fibrillation (AFib). While these two terms are often used interchangeably when talking about unexpected fluctuations in your heart rate, they aren’t the same thing.

Keep reading to learn the differences between heart arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation, including their symptoms and the importance of early detection for your heart health.

What Is a Heart Arrhythmia?

Heart arrhythmia is an umbrella term that includes any cardiovascular condition that results in an unnatural heartbeat that’s either too fast, too slow or irregular, such as palpitations that feel like fluttering or jumping. Different arrhythmias can also impact certain chambers of the heart.

Types of heart arrhythmias include:

• Atrial fibrillation (AFib): When the heart beats quickly and irregularly
• Atrial flutter: Causes a rapid heartbeat similar to AFib, but is more regular in pattern
• Bradycardia: Happens when the heart beats too slowly, under 60 beats per minute (bpm)
• Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs): Extra heartbeats that may make it feel like your heartbeat is skipping
• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): Causes a fast heartbeat due to an electrical signal misfiring in the heart's upper chambers
• Tachycardia: Occurs when the heart beats too quickly, over 100 bpm
• Ventricular tachycardia (V-Tach): Like SVT, but caused by issues in the heart's lower chambers
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: A congenital heart condition where a person has additional electrical pathways in their heart, which sometimes causes a very rapid heart rate

Now that you understand the different types of arrhythmias, let’s look at what causes them.

What Causes an Arrhythmia?

No matter what type of arrhythmia you have, they’re all caused when the heart's electrical signals are damaged or faulty. There are several ways the heart's electrical system can be compromised, such as:

• Caffeine
• Cardiovascular diseases like coronary artery disease, heart failure and heart attack
• Certain medications, including antibiotics, antidepressants and certain pain relievers
• Congenital birth issues
• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalance
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Noncardiovascular conditions such as diabetes, lung disease and kidney disease
• Sleep apnea
• Stress or anxiety
• Substances like nicotine, alcohol and illegal drugs
• Thyroid issues

To learn more about what causes an arrhythmia and how to manage it, talk to your primary care provider.

Potential Arrhythmia Complications

When you engage in a hard workout, such as running or strength training, or you're scared by a horror movie, it's natural for your heartbeat to speed up. But as you cool down and recover, your heartbeat should return to its normal rate.

If your heartbeat is consistently too slow, too fast or irregular, that's a sign that something could be wrong with your heart's electrical system. Not treating an arrhythmia can lead to serious complications, including:

• Cognitive decline and dementia
• Damage to the heart's muscles (cardiomyopathy)
• Formation of blood clots that can lead to stroke or pulmonary embolism
• Heart failure
• Sudden cardiac arrest

If you experience any of these, immediately make an appointment with your primary care provider (PCP), visit your nearest urgent care or go directly to the emergency room if you're also experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath.

What Is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)?

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of heart arrhythmia. Researchers estimate that more than five million Americans are currently living with AFib, and more than 12 million are expected to have the condition by 2030.

AFib is categorized by an irregular heartbeat that’s usually quicker than normal. AFib occurs when the heartbeat of the heart's upper chambers — called the atria — is out of sync with that of the lower chambers — called the ventricles.

AFib shares some causes with other types of arrhythmias and has some that are different, including:

• Alcohol use
• Birth defect
• Caffeine
• Cardiovascular conditions like heart valve disease or a heart attack
• Certain medications
• Genetics
• Heart rhythm disorder
• Heart surgery
• High blood pressure
• Illegal drug use
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Pneumonia
• Smoking
• Thyroid disease
• Viral infection

When comparing the symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation, there are some differences. This is because arrhythmia is an umbrella term that encompasses all types of irregular heartbeats, and for some types, such as bradycardia, symptoms may not be the same for AFib.

Arrhythmia vs. AFib: Symptoms Comparison

The important thing to note is that AFib will always feel like your heart is beating too quickly and in an odd pattern.

Most patients describe AFib as feeling like their heartbeat is:

• Fluttering like there are butterflies in your chest
• Pounding or pulsing
• Quivering
• Racing
• Skipping

Other symptoms that AFib shares with other types of arrhythmias include:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Dizziness
• Feeling lightheaded or weak
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness or fatigue

It’s important that you visit your primary care provider if you experience any of these symptoms. Together, our team can put you on a path toward wellness.

When to Seek Emergency Care

When it comes to arrhythmia vs. AFib, there are certain symptoms that, if you experience them along with an irregular heartbeat, you should immediately call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room for care. These can include:

• Chest pain or tightening
• Difficulty breathing
• Fainting or collapse
• Severe dizziness
• Signs of a heart attack, such as cold sweat, nausea and pain in the limbs, neck or jaw
• Signs of a stroke, including numbness, speaking issues or vision changes

If you’re ever unsure whether you need medical attention, it’s best to visit your nearest urgent care or ER to get the prompt care you deserve.

AFib and Arrhythmia Diagnosis and Treatment

If you or a loved one is taken to the emergency room for AFib or another arrhythmia, our ER team members will take several steps to diagnose the issue and get you treated quickly.

The main equipment our doctors will use to diagnose your heart arrhythmia or AFib is an electrocardiogram, also called an ECG. This equipment measures your heart's electrical activity and can help our doctors determine what may be causing your heartbeat to act unnaturally.

In addition to an ECG, your doctor may also order you a:

• Chest X-ray
• Echocardiogram (Echo)
• Electrolyte testing
• Kidney/liver function testing
• Thyroid testing

Once your doctor has confirmed whether you’re experiencing AFib or another arrhythmia, their next step is to get your heart rate back to normal. To do that, they may use:

• Blood thinners (anticoagulants) to help prevent blood clots from forming
• Cardioversion to shock your heartbeat back to a normal rhythm
• IV medications, such as beta-blockers, that help to normalize your heart rate

Your ER doctor will also refer you to a cardiologist for follow-up and further treatment.

Managing and Preventing Future Episodes

Whether you’re diagnosed with an arrhythmia or AFib, there are several lifestyle changes that you can implement to help manage your condition and prevent future heartbeat issues, such as:

• Eating a healthy, low-sodium diet
• Getting enough sleep
• Increasing physical activity
• Lowering alcohol and caffeine use
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Managing stress
• Not smoking
• Staying hydrated
• Taking any prescribed medications
• Treating underlying diseases, like diabetes and high blood pressure

Our compassionate primary care providers are dedicated to helping you develop a personalized treatment plan to help you heal and get back to what you love.

Comprehensive Heart Care at AdventHealth

Although an irregular heartbeat can be disconcerting, the good news is that there are diagnosis and treatment options available at your nearest emergency room, as well as medications and lifestyle modifications that can help you manage your arrhythmia condition and lower your risk for repeating symptoms.

If you have more questions about arrhythmia vs. AFib or would like to talk to your doctor about changes in your heartbeat, we’re here to help. Contact your nearest location today. We’ll be right by your side every step of the way.