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 [Harvard Health Publishing ](https://www.health.harvard.edu/) [Harvard Health Publishing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/) [HarvardHealthOnline+](https://www.health.harvard.edu/hho-plus?utm_source=site&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=top_button) Search [Customer Service](https://www.health.harvard.edu/customer-service) [Content Licensing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/licensing) [About Us](https://www.health.harvard.edu/about-us) [Log In](https://www.health.harvard.edu/login) Open mobile menu [Free HealthBeat Signup](https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat) Shop [Subscriptions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/subscribe) [Special Health Reports](https://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports) [Online Courses](https://www.harvardhealthonlinelearning.com/catalog) [Pay Subscription Bill](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pay-bill) [Common Conditions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/common-conditions) [Staying Healthy](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/staying-healthy) [Resources](https://www.health.harvard.edu/resources) [Blog](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog) [COVID-19 Updates](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center) Close menu [HarvardHealthOnline+](https://www.health.harvard.edu/hho-plus?utm_source=site&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=mobile_button) ## Main Content - [Common Conditions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/common-conditions) - [Staying Healthy](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/staying-healthy) - [Resources](https://www.health.harvard.edu/resources) - [Blog](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog) ## Helpful Links - [Customer Service](https://www.health.harvard.edu/customer-service) - [About Us](https://www.health.harvard.edu/about-us) - [Content Licensing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/licensing) - [Free Healthbeat Signup](https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat) - [Subscriptions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/subscribe) - [Special Health Reports](https://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports) - [Online Courses](https://www.harvardhealthonlinelearning.com/) - [Pay Subscription Bill](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pay-bill) Close Recent Articles [ How does prostate cancer treatment affect mental health?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-does-prostate-cancer-treatment-affect-mental-health-202511213107) [ 5 timeless habits for better health](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-timeless-habits-for-better-health-202509243106) [ What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-are-the-symptoms-of-prostate-cancer-202509173105) [ Is your breakfast cereal healthy?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-your-breakfast-cereal-healthy-202509083104) [ When pain signals an emergency: Symptoms you should never ignore](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/when-pain-signals-an-emergency-symptoms-you-should-never-ignore) [ Does exercise give you energy?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/does-exercise-give-you-energy) [ Acupuncture for pain relief: How it works and what to expect](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/acupuncture-for-pain-relief-how-it-works-and-what-to-expect) [ How to avoid jet lag: Tips for staying alert when you travel](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-avoid-jet-lag-tips-for-staying-alert-when-you-travel) [ Biofeedback therapy: How it works and how it can help relieve pain](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/biofeedback-therapy-how-it-works-and-how-it-can-help-relieve-pain) [ Best vitamins and minerals for energy](https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/best-vitamins-and-minerals-for-energy) 1 / 10 # Abnormal Heart Rhythms  Abnormal heart rhythms, also called arrhythmias, develop when a problem arises in the heart's electrical system. These can make the heartbeat faster or slower than it should or beat with an irregular or disordered rhythm. Normally, heart beats regularly at a rate of 60 to 100 times per minute. And the pulse (felt at the wrist, neck or elsewhere) matches the contractions of the heart's two powerful lower chambers, called the ventricles. The heart's two upper chambers, called the atria, also contract to help fill the ventricles. But this milder contraction occurs just before the ventricles contract, and it is not felt in the pulse. There are many types of heart rhythm disorders. Some occur in the heart's upper chambers (the atria) and some occur in the lower chambers (the ventricles). They also can be classified according to their effect on the heart rate, with bradycardia indicating a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute and tachycardia indicating a heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute. ### Symptoms of abnormal heart rhythms Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias may include: You may be interested in...  ## Controlling Your Blood Pressure An alarming one in three American adults has high blood pressure. Known medically as hypertension, many people don't even know they have it, because high blood pressure has no symptoms or warning signs. But when elevated blood pressure is accompanied by abnormal cholesterol and blood sugar levels, the damage to your arteries, kidneys, and heart accelerates exponentially. Fortunately, high blood pressure is easy to detect and treat. In the Special Health Report, Controlling Your Blood Pressure, find out how to keep blood pressure in a healthy range simply by making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, increasing activity, and eating more healthfully. [LEARN MORE](https://servedbyadbutler.com/redirect.spark?MID=186626&plid=2650436&setID=812675&channelID=0&CID=862911&banID=522717423&PID=0&textadID=0&tc=1&rnd=2594772183&scheduleID=2694941&adSize=0x0&metadata=%5B%5D&matches=%5B%22heart%22%5D&mt=1763972233363777&spr=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fheart-health%2Fabnormal-heart-rhythms&request_uuid=d0f29898-e4aa-424b-8762-88a69effe47a&hc=73fd8a595b948bf4191ea2e490ed3e3d30d3ae3d&location=) - fast or slow heartbeat - feeling like the heart is skipping beats - feeling lightheaded or dizzy - chest pain - shortness of breath - sweating ### Fast vs. slow cardiac arrhythmias Abnormal heart rhythms that usually cause a fast heart rate: - [atrial fibrillation](https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/self-help-for-atrial-fibrillation) - atrial flutter - atrial tachycardia - paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia - ventricular fibrillation - ventricular tachycardia Abnormal heart rhythms that cause a slow heart rate: - heart block - sinus node dysfunction You might also be interested in...  ## Starting to Exercise What can improve your mood, boost your ability to fend off infection, and lower your risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and colon cancer? The answer is regular exercise. It may seem too good to be true, but it's not. Hundreds of studies demonstrate that exercise helps you feel better and live longer. Starting to Exercise answers many important questions about physical activity. It will also help guide you through starting and maintaining an exercise program that suits your abilities and lifestyle. [Learn More](https://servedbyadbutler.com/redirect.spark?MID=186626&plid=2650436&setID=812675&channelID=0&CID=862911&banID=523661340&PID=0&textadID=0&tc=1&rnd=2594772183&scheduleID=3239467&adSize=0x0&metadata=%5B%5D&matches=%5B%22Health%22%5D&mt=1763972233363861&spr=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fheart-health%2Fabnormal-heart-rhythms&request_uuid=d0f29898-e4aa-424b-8762-88a69effe47a&hc=c02b53e0764151e572892fffd9a15af15373d08b&location=) Irregular heart rhythms with a normal heart rate include: - premature atrial contractions - premature ventricular contraction ### Diagnosing abnormal heart rhythms A test called an electrocardiogram (EKG) often can confirm the diagnosis of a cardiac arrhythmia. However, because cardiac arrhythmias may come and go, a one-time office EKG may be normal. If this is the case, an ambulatory EKG may be required. During an ambulatory EKG, the patient wears a portable EKG machine called a Holter monitor, usually for 24 hours, but sometimes much longer. You will be taught to press a button to record the EKG reading whenever you experience symptoms. This approach is especially useful if your symptoms are infrequent. **Image: wildpixel/Getty Images** Share [Share this page to Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fheart-health%2Fabnormal-heart-rhythms&display=popup) [Share this page to X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fheart-health%2Fabnormal-heart-rhythms&text=Abnormal%20Heart%20Rhythms%20-%20Harvard%20Health&tw_p=tweetbutton&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fheart-health%2Fabnormal-heart-rhythms) [Share this page via Email](<mailto:?subject=Great health news for you from the experts at Harvard&body=Check out this link from Harvard Health: Abnormal Heart Rhythms - https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/abnormal-heart-rhythms>) Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print ## Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. 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Recent Articles [ How does prostate cancer treatment affect mental health?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-does-prostate-cancer-treatment-affect-mental-health-202511213107) [ 5 timeless habits for better health](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-timeless-habits-for-better-health-202509243106) [ What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-are-the-symptoms-of-prostate-cancer-202509173105) [ Is your breakfast cereal healthy?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-your-breakfast-cereal-healthy-202509083104) [ When pain signals an emergency: Symptoms you should never ignore](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/when-pain-signals-an-emergency-symptoms-you-should-never-ignore) [ Does exercise give you energy?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/does-exercise-give-you-energy) [ Acupuncture for pain relief: How it works and what to expect](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/acupuncture-for-pain-relief-how-it-works-and-what-to-expect) [ How to avoid jet lag: Tips for staying alert when you travel](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-avoid-jet-lag-tips-for-staying-alert-when-you-travel) [ Biofeedback therapy: How it works and how it can help relieve pain](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/biofeedback-therapy-how-it-works-and-how-it-can-help-relieve-pain) [ Best vitamins and minerals for energy](https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/best-vitamins-and-minerals-for-energy) 1 / 10 ## Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox\! 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