Macrolide antibiotics like azithromycin and clarithromycin can cause dangerous heart rhythm changes called QT prolongation, especially in older adults, women, or those on other medications. Know your risk factors and ask for an ECG before taking them.
Heart Arrhythmias: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
When your heart skips a beat, races too fast, or pounds irregularly, you’re likely dealing with heart arrhythmias, abnormal electrical patterns in the heart that disrupt its normal rhythm. Also known as irregular heartbeat, this condition isn’t always dangerous—but ignoring it can lead to serious problems like stroke or heart failure. Many people think arrhythmias only happen to older adults, but they can affect anyone—even young, active people with no other health issues.
Common types include atrial fibrillation, a fast, chaotic rhythm originating in the upper chambers of the heart, which is the most frequent form in adults over 65. Then there’s ventricular tachycardia, a rapid heartbeat starting in the lower chambers, often linked to underlying heart disease. Some arrhythmias come and go with stress or caffeine; others are caused by electrolyte imbalances, thyroid problems, or even certain medications. You don’t need a fancy test to suspect one—if you feel your chest fluttering, get dizzy, or run out of breath during simple tasks, it’s worth checking.
What you do next matters. Some people manage arrhythmias with lifestyle changes—cutting back on alcohol, quitting smoking, or reducing stress. Others need medication like beta-blockers or antiarrhythmics. In more serious cases, doctors use procedures like ablation or implantable devices to reset the heart’s rhythm. The key is knowing which type you have and why it’s happening. That’s why the posts below cover everything from how drugs like amiodarone work, to what natural supplements might help (or hurt), and how to tell if your symptoms are harmless or a red flag.
Below, you’ll find real, practical guides from people who’ve been there—whether it’s understanding why your heart races after coffee, comparing the side effects of common arrhythmia meds, or learning how to monitor your pulse at home. No fluff. Just clear info to help you ask the right questions and take control.