
If you're physically fit, your heart may still be able to pump enough blood to the body with fewer than 60 beats a minute at rest. In those with heart disease, ventricular tachycardia can be a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment.Īlthough a heart rate below 60 beats a minute while at rest is considered bradycardia, a low resting heart rate doesn't always signal a problem. Ventricular tachycardia may not cause serious problems in people with an otherwise healthy heart. As a result, the heart can't pump enough blood to the body. The rapid heart rate doesn't allow the ventricles to properly fill with blood. This rapid, regular heart rate starts with faulty electrical signals in the lower heart chambers (ventricles). Most people who have ventricular fibrillation have an underlying heart disease or have experienced serious trauma. This serious problem can lead to death if a normal heart rhythm isn't restored within minutes. This type of arrhythmia occurs when rapid, chaotic electrical signals cause the lower heart chambers (ventricles) to quiver instead of contacting in a coordinated way that pumps blood to the rest of the body. Supraventricular tachycardia causes episodes of a pounding heartbeat (palpitations) that begin and end abruptly. Supraventricular tachycardia is a broad term that includes arrhythmias that start above the lower heart chambers (ventricles). Atrial flutter is similar to A-fib, but heartbeats are more organized. A-fib is associated with serious complications such as stroke. The condition may be temporary, but some A-fib episodes may not stop unless treated. Chaotic heart signaling causes a rapid, uncoordinated heart rate. The resting heart rate is less than 60 beats a minute. Bradycardia (brad-e-KAHR-dee-uh) is a slow heartbeat.The resting heart rate is greater than 100 beats a minute. Tachycardia (tak-ih-KAHR-dee-uh) is a fast heart.In general, heart arrhythmias are grouped by the speed of the heart rate. A heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent heart damage that can trigger certain heart arrhythmias. Heart arrhythmia treatment may include medications, catheter procedures, implanted devices or surgery to control or eliminate fast, slow or irregular heartbeats. For example, the heart rate may increase with exercise or slow down during sleep.

However, sometimes it's normal for a person to have a fast or slow heart rate. However, some heart arrhythmias may cause bothersome - sometimes even life-threatening - signs and symptoms. Heart arrhythmias may feel like a fluttering or racing heart and may be harmless.
