World Heart Rhythm Week 2023

This week is known worldwide as World Heart Rhythm Week. From the 5^th – 11^th June, heart charities and health professionals work hard to raise awareness of heart rhythm disorders. These conditions are most commonly known as arrhythmias.

This is also a great opportunity to educate about the importance of looking after heart health. With thousands of people in the UK living with heart conditions, it is important to look after our hearts as much as possible.

What is rhythm of the heart?

Your heart’s rhythm refers to how many times your heart beats each minute and how regularly your heart beats. You may have an irregular heartbeat, where your heart rate can be unpredictable. If your heart rhythm is irregular, this could mean:

Your heart rate is unpredictable and can change
Your heart rate is slower than it should be
Your heart rate is faster than it should be

There are two main terms to describe an abnormal heart rhythm that is not irregular:

Sinus tachycardia: your heartbeat is regular but beats faster than 100 beats per minute
Sinus bradycardia: your heartbeat is regular but beats slower than 60 beats per minute

What is a normal heart rhythm?

A ‘normal’ heart rate is considered to be a resting heart rate of between 60 to 100 beats per minute. What feels normal for you may differ from person to person, but anything outside of this range can be classed as abnormal.

An abnormal heart rhythm is referred to as an arrhythmia. Arrhythmia’s can be developed at any age. Various factors can lead to developing an arrhythmia such as being overweight, or consuming high levels of alcohol or caffeine.

You may also be at a higher risk of developing an arrhythmia if your heart has been damaged e.g. from a heart attack or severe case of Covid-19.

Types of heart rhythm

This week aims to raise awareness of heart rhythm problems and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia).

There are several main types of arrhythmia you could be diagnosed with:

Atrial fibrillation: This is the most often diagnosed form of irregular heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation or ‘A-fib’ can also often lead to a heart rate that is faster than normal.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): This is when your heart beats far more rapidly than is considered normal while resting. This is usually caused by issues with the electrical impulses travelling from the top chambers of the heart to the bottom.
Ventricular fibrillation: A rare and serious condition that can lead to loss of consciousness and even death if not treated promptly.
Bradycardia: Bradycardia is when your heart rate is considerably slower than what is considered normal. A heart rate of 60 beats per minute or less is classed as bradycardia. This is not always harmful, and many athletes will experience bradycardia.
Left bundle branch block: This is a form of heart block which causes the electrical impulses in the bottom chambers of the heart to travel more slowly than normal. LBBB can often be linked to other medical conditions such as heart disease.
Right bundle branch block: This is another form of heart block which causes the electrical impulses in the bottom chambers of the heart to travel more slowly than normal.
Atrial flutter: An atrial flutter happens when the chambers at the top of the heart contract at a faster rate than the bottom chambers.

Frequently asked questions about arrhythmia

What are the symptoms of arrhythmia?	The main symptoms that could indicate you have arrhythmia are: Heart palpitations Feeling dizzy or faint Shortness of breath Chest pain or discomfort Fatigue
What causes arrhythmia?	Arrhythmia can be linked to various risk factors and other medical conditions including: Illnesses High use of alcohol or illegal drugs Smoking Caffeine Heart attacks Cardiomyopathy Heart failure Heart disease
Is arrhythmia life threatening?	This depends on the type of arrhythmia you have. Some forms need no treatment or can be well managed with medication. Serious forms like ventricular fibrillation require immediate medical treatment or they can be life threatening.
Can you live a full life with arrhythmia?	YES – It is possible to live a full and healthy life with an arrhythmia. If you follow your doctors advice and take any treatments/medications prescribed, you should be able to live a full life.

Can I get life insurance with arrhythmia?

YES – It is still possible to get great life insurance to protect your home and family if you have an arrhythmia.

Our specialists have years of expertise in heart conditions life insurance and are proud to be rated #1 in the UK. With access to wide range of policies across both mainstream and specialist providers, we can find you the BEST rates quickly and hassle free.

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