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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 161 (from laksa180)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa161.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry","crawl_time":1776803818,"first_indexed_time":1738608666,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,massgeneralbrigham!www,\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry s443","src_root_hash":"9324133305715668761","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Worry About an Irregular Heartbeat | Mass General Brigham","meta_descriptions":["It’s normal for a heart to beat too fast, slow, or skip beats occasionally. Sometimes, an irregular heartbeat is a sign of arrhythmia that needs treatment."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"If you’ve ever felt like your heart was skipping a beat or racing, you’re not alone.\n“These sensations are fairly common and often not harmful,” says Jane Henoch, FNP-BC, a Mass General Brigham nurse practitioner. Henoch cares for patients at Massachusetts General Hospital and specializes in cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats.\nBut persistent or frequent irregular heartbeats may require medical care, especially if they occur with other symptoms. “Certain arrhythmias can be serious and even life-threatening if not treated,” says Henoch.\nWhat is an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)?\nCardiac arrhythmia\noccurs when your heart beats too fast (\ntachycardia\n), too slow (\nbradycardia\n), or skips beats (\nheart palpitations\n). An irregular heartbeat isn’t always cause for concern.\nWhat are arrhythmia causes?\nAn electrical conduction system powers your heart. This system sends electrical signals that cause your heart muscle to contract and pump blood. You might think of this system as your heart’s natural\npacemaker\n.\nYour heart can beat out of rhythm when something goes wrong with this system, such as:\nElectrical signals travel through different pathways in the heart.\nNerve cells that make and send electrical signals don’t function as they should.\nA different part of your heart starts sending electrical signals.\nWhen should you see a health care provider about an irregular heartbeat?\nYou should see a health care provider if you have an irregular heartbeat that occurs several times a day or week, or if you experience heart rhythm changes that last for up to an hour or longer.\nSee a provider if an irregular heartbeat occurs with symptoms like:\nChest pain\nDizziness or fainting\nShortness of breath\nOther reasons to seek medical care for an irregular heartbeat\nAn irregular heartbeat is more likely to be a sign of arrhythmia (and therefore more concerning) if you have one or more of these risk factors:\nCardiomyopathy\nCongenital heart disease\nCoronary artery disease\nGenetic heart disease\nHistory of\nsmoking\nor\nsubstance use disorder\nObesity\nPrevious\nheart attack\nSleep apnea\nPinpointing the cause of an irregular heartbeat\nTo determine whether your heartbeat is too fast, too slow, or erratic, you may see an\nelectrophysiologist\n. These\ncardiologists\nspecialize in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders.\nHeart rate monitor to record irregular heartbeats\nBecause an irregular heartbeat is just that — not regular or predictable — your provider may recommend wearing a heart rate monitor. These monitors work like an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). They monitor and record your\nheart rate\nand heart electrical activity while you go about your usual activities.\nIn the past, providers recommended Holter monitors. But this monitor only records heart activity for 48 hours. It also has a lot of electrodes (stickers) and connecting wires, which can be awkward to wear.\nModern heart rate monitors offer more options. Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend one of these simple wearable\ndevices to monitor your heart rate\n:\nPrescription heart rate monitors:\nA small, thin, prescription-only device sticks to the skin above your heart. You press a button on the device when your heartbeat feels irregular. The device records the activity. You also describe the feeling in a logbook. After 14 days, you mail the monitor and logbook to the device company, which creates a report for your provider.\nSmartphone monitors:\nWith this type of smartphone device, you press your fingertips onto a small pad when you feel an irregular heartbeat. The pad-like device sends information to a smartphone app, which you can share with your provider.\nSmartwatches:\nSmartwatches can measure heart rates and show when your heart beats too fast or slow. Some smartwatches have built-in sensors that work as an ECG\/EKG. “We’ve found these watches to be extremely helpful in monitoring heart activities because people wear them all day, and sometimes all night,” says Henoch. “They provide a good snapshot of a person’s heart activity.”\nDiagnosing arrhythmias\nIf a heart rate monitor detects a concerning heart rhythm change, or you have other symptoms like\nchest pain\n, you may get one or more of these heart tests:\nECG\/EKG\n: Sensors on the skin that measure the heart’s electrical activity.\nEchocardiogram (echo)\n: High-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) show how well the heart pumps blood (ejection fraction).\nCardiac MRIs\n: Radio waves and strong magnetic fields capture images of the heart muscle and blood flow to the heart.\nStress tests:\nImaging machines capture images of your heart while under exertion from physical activity or an IV medication that increases your heart rate.\nElectrophysiology (EP) tests\n: Sensors that doctors place inside the heart to measure electrical activity.\nGenetic testing:\nThis\nadvanced blood test\nhelps doctors detect gene changes that can cause genetic heart disease and inherited arrhythmias.\nWhen do you need treatment for an irregular heartbeat?\nNot everyone who experiences an irregular heartbeat needs medical treatment. “Treatment depends on whether you have an arrhythmia, its type, and severity,” says Henoch. For instance, the most common type of arrhythmia,\natrial fibrillation (AFib)\n, increases your risk for blood clots that cause\nstrokes\n. AFib always requires a medical evaluation.\nArrhythmia treatments\nIf you follow the cardiac arrhythmia treatment plan your provider creates for you, you can learn\nhow to live with arrhythmia\n.\nArrhythmia treatments vary depending on the type and severity. They include:\nAntiarrhythmic medications\nto keep the heart beating in a normal heart rhythm.\nBlood-thinning medications (anticoagulants)\nto prevent blood clots.\nCardioversion\nto deliver an electric shock that restores a normal heart rhythm.\nPacemakers\nto send electrical impulses that keep your heart from beating too slowly.\nImplantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)\nto provide a shock, if needed, and pace the heart.\nAblation\nto create a scar in the heart muscle that stops the electrical impulses causing arrhythmia.\nIt can be unsettling to feel your heart beat out of rhythm. While these feelings aren’t uncommon, it can be worth your peace of mind to see a provider and make sure everything is okay. “Today’s arrhythmia treatments are very safe and highly successful,” says Henoch, “especially when you receive care from an experienced team.”","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to cookie consent](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry#cookieNotice) [Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry#main-content) [Skip to pause video preview](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry) [Skip to alerts](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry) [Skip to pause carousel](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry)\n\nSite Selection\n\nChanging the site selection will update the primary navigation on the page\n\n- [Patient Care](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care)\n- [Research & Innovation](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/research-and-innovation)\n- [Education & Training](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/education-and-training)\n- [About](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about)\n\nFeatured Links\n\n- [Giving to Mass General Brigham](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/giving)\n\nFeatured Links\n\n- [Giving to Mass General Brigham](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/giving)\n\nFeatured Links\n\n- [Giving to Mass General Brigham](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/giving)\n\nFeatured Links\n\n- [Giving to Mass General Brigham](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/giving)\n\n[![Mass General Brigham homepage](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/content\/dam\/mgb-global\/global-assets\/logo-mass-general-brigham.svg)](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en)\n\nUtility Links\n\n- [Request an appointment](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/patient-visitor-information\/appointments)\n- [Log in to Patient Gateway](https:\/\/patientgateway.massgeneralbrigham.org\/)\n- [Find a doctor](https:\/\/doctors.massgeneralbrigham.org\/search)\n- [Find a location](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/find-a-location)\n- Choose Language\n  - 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When Should You Worry About an Irregular Heartbeat?\n\n##\nMore alert details\n\n# When Should You Worry About an Irregular Heartbeat?\nContributor: Jane Henoch, FNP-BC\n\nFeb 3, 2025\n\n- [Patient Care](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom.topic=Patient%20Care)\n- [Heart Conditions & Heart Surgery](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom.topic=Heart%20Conditions%20&%20Heart%20Surgery)\n- [Health & Wellness](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom.topic=Health%20&%20Wellness)\n\n- [share on facebook](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry)\n- [share on linkedIn](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry)\n- [share on X, formerly known as Twitter](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry)\n- [share by email](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry)\n- print article\n\n![A man running in a park checks his smartwatch and looks concerned about an irregular heartbeat](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/content\/mgb-global\/global\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry\/_jcr_content\/root\/container_1214295969\/image.coreimg.jpeg\/1738337231741\/runner-smartwatch-heart-rate-2200x1200.jpeg)\n\nIf you’ve ever felt like your heart was skipping a beat or racing, you’re not alone.\n\n“These sensations are fairly common and often not harmful,” says Jane Henoch, FNP-BC, a Mass General Brigham nurse practitioner. Henoch cares for patients at Massachusetts General Hospital and specializes in cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats.\n\nBut persistent or frequent irregular heartbeats may require medical care, especially if they occur with other symptoms. “Certain arrhythmias can be serious and even life-threatening if not treated,” says Henoch.\n\n## What is an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)?\n[Cardiac arrhythmia](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/cardiac-arrhythmia) occurs when your heart beats too fast ([tachycardia](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/tachycardia)), too slow ([bradycardia](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/bradycardia)), or skips beats ([heart palpitations](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/heart-palpitations)). An irregular heartbeat isn’t always cause for concern.\n\n## What are arrhythmia causes?\nAn electrical conduction system powers your heart. This system sends electrical signals that cause your heart muscle to contract and pump blood. You might think of this system as your heart’s natural [pacemaker](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/what-is-a-pacemaker).\n\nYour heart can beat out of rhythm when something goes wrong with this system, such as:\n\n- Electrical signals travel through different pathways in the heart.\n- Nerve cells that make and send electrical signals don’t function as they should.\n- A different part of your heart starts sending electrical signals.\n\n![](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/etc.clientlibs\/aem-mgb\/clientlibs\/clientlib-site\/resources\/images\/play-video-icon.svg)\n\nVideo Player\n\n![](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/etc.clientlibs\/aem-mgb\/clientlibs\/clientlib-site\/resources\/images\/blue-x-close-icon.svg) Close video player modal\n\n## When should you see a health care provider about an irregular heartbeat?\nYou should see a health care provider if you have an irregular heartbeat that occurs several times a day or week, or if you experience heart rhythm changes that last for up to an hour or longer.\n\n### See a provider if an irregular heartbeat occurs with symptoms like:\n- [Chest pain](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/angina)\n- Dizziness or fainting\n- Shortness of breath\n### Other reasons to seek medical care for an irregular heartbeat\nAn irregular heartbeat is more likely to be a sign of arrhythmia (and therefore more concerning) if you have one or more of these risk factors:\n\n- [Cardiomyopathy](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/cardiomyopathy)\n- [Congenital heart disease](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/adult-congenital-heart-disease)\n- [Coronary artery disease](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/coronary-artery-disease-risk-factors)\n- [Genetic heart disease](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/inherited-heart-conditions)\n- History of [smoking](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/tips-to-quit-smoking) or [substance use disorder](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/substance-use-disorders)\n- [Obesity](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/obesity-associated-risks-cause-disease)\n- Previous [heart attack](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/heart-attack)\n- [Sleep apnea](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/sleep-apnea-symptoms)\n\n> Today’s arrhythmia treatments are very safe and highly successful, especially when you receive care from an experienced team.\n\nJane Henoch, FNP-BC  \n Nurse Practitioner  \n Mass General Brigham\n\n## Pinpointing the cause of an irregular heartbeat\nTo determine whether your heartbeat is too fast, too slow, or erratic, you may see an [electrophysiologist](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/what-is-an-electrophysiologist). These [cardiologists](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/first-cardiologist-appointment-what-to-expect) specialize in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders.\n\n### Heart rate monitor to record irregular heartbeats\nBecause an irregular heartbeat is just that — not regular or predictable — your provider may recommend wearing a heart rate monitor. These monitors work like an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). They monitor and record your [heart rate](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/what-your-heart-rate-is-telling-you) and heart electrical activity while you go about your usual activities.\n\nIn the past, providers recommended Holter monitors. But this monitor only records heart activity for 48 hours. It also has a lot of electrodes (stickers) and connecting wires, which can be awkward to wear.\n\nModern heart rate monitors offer more options. Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend one of these simple wearable [devices to monitor your heart rate](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/how-to-check-your-heart-rate):\n\n- **Prescription heart rate monitors:** A small, thin, prescription-only device sticks to the skin above your heart. You press a button on the device when your heartbeat feels irregular. The device records the activity. You also describe the feeling in a logbook. After 14 days, you mail the monitor and logbook to the device company, which creates a report for your provider.\n- **Smartphone monitors:** With this type of smartphone device, you press your fingertips onto a small pad when you feel an irregular heartbeat. The pad-like device sends information to a smartphone app, which you can share with your provider.\n- **Smartwatches:** Smartwatches can measure heart rates and show when your heart beats too fast or slow. Some smartwatches have built-in sensors that work as an ECG\/EKG. “We’ve found these watches to be extremely helpful in monitoring heart activities because people wear them all day, and sometimes all night,” says Henoch. “They provide a good snapshot of a person’s heart activity.”\n### Diagnosing arrhythmias\nIf a heart rate monitor detects a concerning heart rhythm change, or you have other symptoms like [chest pain](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/chest-pain-sign-of-a-heart-attack-or-something-else), you may get one or more of these heart tests:\n\n- **ECG\/EKG**: Sensors on the skin that measure the heart’s electrical activity.\n- **Echocardiogram (echo)**: High-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) show how well the heart pumps blood (ejection fraction).\n- **Cardiac MRIs**: Radio waves and strong magnetic fields capture images of the heart muscle and blood flow to the heart.\n- **Stress tests:** Imaging machines capture images of your heart while under exertion from physical activity or an IV medication that increases your heart rate.\n- **Electrophysiology (EP) tests**: Sensors that doctors place inside the heart to measure electrical activity.\n- **Genetic testing:** This [advanced blood test](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/research-and-innovation\/centers-and-programs\/personalized-medicine\/molecular-medicine\/tests) helps doctors detect gene changes that can cause genetic heart disease and inherited arrhythmias.\n## When do you need treatment for an irregular heartbeat?\nNot everyone who experiences an irregular heartbeat needs medical treatment. “Treatment depends on whether you have an arrhythmia, its type, and severity,” says Henoch. For instance, the most common type of arrhythmia, [atrial fibrillation (AFib)](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/atrial-fibrillation), increases your risk for blood clots that cause [strokes](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/understanding-strokes). AFib always requires a medical evaluation.\n\n### Arrhythmia treatments\nIf you follow the cardiac arrhythmia treatment plan your provider creates for you, you can learn [how to live with arrhythmia](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/living-with-arrhythmia).\n\nArrhythmia treatments vary depending on the type and severity. They include:\n\n- **Antiarrhythmic medications** to keep the heart beating in a normal heart rhythm.\n- **Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants)** to prevent blood clots.\n- **Cardioversion** to deliver an electric shock that restores a normal heart rhythm.\n- **Pacemakers** to send electrical impulses that keep your heart from beating too slowly.\n- [**Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)**](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/what-is-a-defibrillator) to provide a shock, if needed, and pace the heart.\n- **Ablation** to create a scar in the heart muscle that stops the electrical impulses causing arrhythmia.\n\nIt can be unsettling to feel your heart beat out of rhythm. While these feelings aren’t uncommon, it can be worth your peace of mind to see a provider and make sure everything is okay. “Today’s arrhythmia treatments are very safe and highly successful,” says Henoch, “especially when you receive care from an experienced team.”\n\n***\nLearn about Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular services\n\n[Heart & Vascular Care](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart)\n***\n\n## Contributor\nJane Henoch, FNP-BC\n\nNurse Practitioner\n\n![Mass General Brigham](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/content\/experience-fragments\/mgb-global\/global\/en\/site\/footer\/master\/_jcr_content\/root\/container_1627538517\/container\/container\/image.coreimg.svg\/1775162556082\/logo-with-white-text.svg)\n\n[Patient Care](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care)\n\n[Research & Innovation](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/research-and-innovation)\n\n[Education & Training](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/education-and-training)\n\n[About](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about)\n\n[Careers](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/careers)\n\n[For Medical Professionals](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/medical-professionals)\n\n[For Employees](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/for-employees)\n\n[Log in to Patient Gateway](https:\/\/patientgateway.massgeneralbrigham.org\/)\n\n[Find a Doctor](https:\/\/doctors.massgeneralbrigham.org\/search?sort=relevance%2Cnetworks%2Cavailability_density_best)\n\n[Find a Location](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/find-a-location)\n\n[Contact Us](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/contact-us)\n\n[Mass General Brigham Health Plan](https:\/\/massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org\/)\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MassGeneralBrigham)\n\n[X, formerly known as Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/MassGenBrigham)\n\n[Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/massgeneralbrigham\/)\n\n[YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/massgeneralbrigham)\n\n[LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/mass-general-brigham)\n\n© 2026 Mass General Brigham Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.\n\n[Sitemap](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/sitemap)\n\n[Web Accessibility Statement](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/notices\/web-accessibility)\n\n[Privacy Notices and Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/notices)\n\n[Price Transparency](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/patient-visitor-information\/billing\/cms-required-hospital-charge-data)\n\n[Supplier \/ Vendor Information](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/supplier-vendor-information)\n\n[Ethics](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/ethics)\n***\n\n[Back to top](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry#backTop)\n\n|   |   |\n|---|---|\n| We use cookies and other tools to enhance your experience on our website and to analyze our web traffic. For more information about these cookies and the data collected, please refer to our [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/notices\/web-privacy-policy). | [×](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry#cookieNoticeClose) |","attrs_readable_markdown":"If you’ve ever felt like your heart was skipping a beat or racing, you’re not alone.\n\n“These sensations are fairly common and often not harmful,” says Jane Henoch, FNP-BC, a Mass General Brigham nurse practitioner. Henoch cares for patients at Massachusetts General Hospital and specializes in cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats.\n\nBut persistent or frequent irregular heartbeats may require medical care, especially if they occur with other symptoms. “Certain arrhythmias can be serious and even life-threatening if not treated,” says Henoch.\n\n## What is an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)?\n[Cardiac arrhythmia](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/cardiac-arrhythmia) occurs when your heart beats too fast ([tachycardia](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/tachycardia)), too slow ([bradycardia](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/bradycardia)), or skips beats ([heart palpitations](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/heart-palpitations)). An irregular heartbeat isn’t always cause for concern.\n\n## What are arrhythmia causes?\nAn electrical conduction system powers your heart. This system sends electrical signals that cause your heart muscle to contract and pump blood. You might think of this system as your heart’s natural [pacemaker](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/what-is-a-pacemaker).\n\nYour heart can beat out of rhythm when something goes wrong with this system, such as:\n\n- Electrical signals travel through different pathways in the heart.\n- Nerve cells that make and send electrical signals don’t function as they should.\n- A different part of your heart starts sending electrical signals.\n\n## When should you see a health care provider about an irregular heartbeat?\nYou should see a health care provider if you have an irregular heartbeat that occurs several times a day or week, or if you experience heart rhythm changes that last for up to an hour or longer.\n\n### See a provider if an irregular heartbeat occurs with symptoms like:\n- [Chest pain](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/angina)\n- Dizziness or fainting\n- Shortness of breath\n### Other reasons to seek medical care for an irregular heartbeat\nAn irregular heartbeat is more likely to be a sign of arrhythmia (and therefore more concerning) if you have one or more of these risk factors:\n\n- [Cardiomyopathy](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/cardiomyopathy)\n- [Congenital heart disease](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/adult-congenital-heart-disease)\n- [Coronary artery disease](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/coronary-artery-disease-risk-factors)\n- [Genetic heart disease](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/inherited-heart-conditions)\n- History of [smoking](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/tips-to-quit-smoking) or [substance use disorder](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/substance-use-disorders)\n- [Obesity](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/obesity-associated-risks-cause-disease)\n- Previous [heart attack](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/heart-attack)\n- [Sleep apnea](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/sleep-apnea-symptoms)\n\n## Pinpointing the cause of an irregular heartbeat\nTo determine whether your heartbeat is too fast, too slow, or erratic, you may see an [electrophysiologist](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/what-is-an-electrophysiologist). These [cardiologists](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/first-cardiologist-appointment-what-to-expect) specialize in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders.\n\n### Heart rate monitor to record irregular heartbeats\nBecause an irregular heartbeat is just that — not regular or predictable — your provider may recommend wearing a heart rate monitor. These monitors work like an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). They monitor and record your [heart rate](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/what-your-heart-rate-is-telling-you) and heart electrical activity while you go about your usual activities.\n\nIn the past, providers recommended Holter monitors. But this monitor only records heart activity for 48 hours. It also has a lot of electrodes (stickers) and connecting wires, which can be awkward to wear.\n\nModern heart rate monitors offer more options. Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend one of these simple wearable [devices to monitor your heart rate](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/how-to-check-your-heart-rate):\n\n- **Prescription heart rate monitors:** A small, thin, prescription-only device sticks to the skin above your heart. You press a button on the device when your heartbeat feels irregular. The device records the activity. You also describe the feeling in a logbook. After 14 days, you mail the monitor and logbook to the device company, which creates a report for your provider.\n- **Smartphone monitors:** With this type of smartphone device, you press your fingertips onto a small pad when you feel an irregular heartbeat. The pad-like device sends information to a smartphone app, which you can share with your provider.\n- **Smartwatches:** Smartwatches can measure heart rates and show when your heart beats too fast or slow. Some smartwatches have built-in sensors that work as an ECG\/EKG. “We’ve found these watches to be extremely helpful in monitoring heart activities because people wear them all day, and sometimes all night,” says Henoch. “They provide a good snapshot of a person’s heart activity.”\n### Diagnosing arrhythmias\nIf a heart rate monitor detects a concerning heart rhythm change, or you have other symptoms like [chest pain](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/chest-pain-sign-of-a-heart-attack-or-something-else), you may get one or more of these heart tests:\n\n- **ECG\/EKG**: Sensors on the skin that measure the heart’s electrical activity.\n- **Echocardiogram (echo)**: High-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) show how well the heart pumps blood (ejection fraction).\n- **Cardiac MRIs**: Radio waves and strong magnetic fields capture images of the heart muscle and blood flow to the heart.\n- **Stress tests:** Imaging machines capture images of your heart while under exertion from physical activity or an IV medication that increases your heart rate.\n- **Electrophysiology (EP) tests**: Sensors that doctors place inside the heart to measure electrical activity.\n- **Genetic testing:** This [advanced blood test](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/research-and-innovation\/centers-and-programs\/personalized-medicine\/molecular-medicine\/tests) helps doctors detect gene changes that can cause genetic heart disease and inherited arrhythmias.\n## When do you need treatment for an irregular heartbeat?\nNot everyone who experiences an irregular heartbeat needs medical treatment. “Treatment depends on whether you have an arrhythmia, its type, and severity,” says Henoch. For instance, the most common type of arrhythmia, [atrial fibrillation (AFib)](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/patient-care\/services-and-specialties\/heart\/conditions\/atrial-fibrillation), increases your risk for blood clots that cause [strokes](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/understanding-strokes). AFib always requires a medical evaluation.\n\n### Arrhythmia treatments\nIf you follow the cardiac arrhythmia treatment plan your provider creates for you, you can learn [how to live with arrhythmia](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/living-with-arrhythmia).\n\nArrhythmia treatments vary depending on the type and severity. They include:\n\n- **Antiarrhythmic medications** to keep the heart beating in a normal heart rhythm.\n- **Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants)** to prevent blood clots.\n- **Cardioversion** to deliver an electric shock that restores a normal heart rhythm.\n- **Pacemakers** to send electrical impulses that keep your heart from beating too slowly.\n- [**Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)**](https:\/\/www.massgeneralbrigham.org\/en\/about\/newsroom\/articles\/what-is-a-defibrillator) to provide a shock, if needed, and pace the heart.\n- **Ablation** to create a scar in the heart muscle that stops the electrical impulses causing arrhythmia.\n\nIt can be unsettling to feel your heart beat out of rhythm. While these feelings aren’t uncommon, it can be worth your peace of mind to see a provider and make sure everything is okay. “Today’s arrhythmia treatments are very safe and highly successful,” says Henoch, “especially when you receive care from an experienced team.”","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Worry About an Irregular Heartbeat \| Mass General Brigham
Meta Description	It’s normal for a heart to beat too fast, slow, or skip beats occasionally. Sometimes, an irregular heartbeat is a sign of arrhythmia that needs treatment.
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Boilerpipe Text	If you’ve ever felt like your heart was skipping a beat or racing, you’re not alone. “These sensations are fairly common and often not harmful,” says Jane Henoch, FNP-BC, a Mass General Brigham nurse practitioner. Henoch cares for patients at Massachusetts General Hospital and specializes in cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. But persistent or frequent irregular heartbeats may require medical care, especially if they occur with other symptoms. “Certain arrhythmias can be serious and even life-threatening if not treated,” says Henoch. What is an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)? Cardiac arrhythmia occurs when your heart beats too fast ( tachycardia ), too slow ( bradycardia ), or skips beats ( heart palpitations ). An irregular heartbeat isn’t always cause for concern. What are arrhythmia causes? An electrical conduction system powers your heart. This system sends electrical signals that cause your heart muscle to contract and pump blood. You might think of this system as your heart’s natural pacemaker . Your heart can beat out of rhythm when something goes wrong with this system, such as: Electrical signals travel through different pathways in the heart. Nerve cells that make and send electrical signals don’t function as they should. A different part of your heart starts sending electrical signals. When should you see a health care provider about an irregular heartbeat? You should see a health care provider if you have an irregular heartbeat that occurs several times a day or week, or if you experience heart rhythm changes that last for up to an hour or longer. See a provider if an irregular heartbeat occurs with symptoms like: Chest pain Dizziness or fainting Shortness of breath Other reasons to seek medical care for an irregular heartbeat An irregular heartbeat is more likely to be a sign of arrhythmia (and therefore more concerning) if you have one or more of these risk factors: Cardiomyopathy Congenital heart disease Coronary artery disease Genetic heart disease History of smoking or substance use disorder Obesity Previous heart attack Sleep apnea Pinpointing the cause of an irregular heartbeat To determine whether your heartbeat is too fast, too slow, or erratic, you may see an electrophysiologist . These cardiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders. Heart rate monitor to record irregular heartbeats Because an irregular heartbeat is just that — not regular or predictable — your provider may recommend wearing a heart rate monitor. These monitors work like an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). They monitor and record your heart rate and heart electrical activity while you go about your usual activities. In the past, providers recommended Holter monitors. But this monitor only records heart activity for 48 hours. It also has a lot of electrodes (stickers) and connecting wires, which can be awkward to wear. Modern heart rate monitors offer more options. Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend one of these simple wearable devices to monitor your heart rate : Prescription heart rate monitors: A small, thin, prescription-only device sticks to the skin above your heart. You press a button on the device when your heartbeat feels irregular. The device records the activity. You also describe the feeling in a logbook. After 14 days, you mail the monitor and logbook to the device company, which creates a report for your provider. Smartphone monitors: With this type of smartphone device, you press your fingertips onto a small pad when you feel an irregular heartbeat. The pad-like device sends information to a smartphone app, which you can share with your provider. Smartwatches: Smartwatches can measure heart rates and show when your heart beats too fast or slow. Some smartwatches have built-in sensors that work as an ECG/EKG. “We’ve found these watches to be extremely helpful in monitoring heart activities because people wear them all day, and sometimes all night,” says Henoch. “They provide a good snapshot of a person’s heart activity.” Diagnosing arrhythmias If a heart rate monitor detects a concerning heart rhythm change, or you have other symptoms like chest pain , you may get one or more of these heart tests: ECG/EKG : Sensors on the skin that measure the heart’s electrical activity. Echocardiogram (echo) : High-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) show how well the heart pumps blood (ejection fraction). Cardiac MRIs : Radio waves and strong magnetic fields capture images of the heart muscle and blood flow to the heart. Stress tests: Imaging machines capture images of your heart while under exertion from physical activity or an IV medication that increases your heart rate. Electrophysiology (EP) tests : Sensors that doctors place inside the heart to measure electrical activity. Genetic testing: This advanced blood test helps doctors detect gene changes that can cause genetic heart disease and inherited arrhythmias. When do you need treatment for an irregular heartbeat? Not everyone who experiences an irregular heartbeat needs medical treatment. “Treatment depends on whether you have an arrhythmia, its type, and severity,” says Henoch. For instance, the most common type of arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AFib) , increases your risk for blood clots that cause strokes . AFib always requires a medical evaluation. Arrhythmia treatments If you follow the cardiac arrhythmia treatment plan your provider creates for you, you can learn how to live with arrhythmia . Arrhythmia treatments vary depending on the type and severity. They include: Antiarrhythmic medications to keep the heart beating in a normal heart rhythm. Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) to prevent blood clots. Cardioversion to deliver an electric shock that restores a normal heart rhythm. Pacemakers to send electrical impulses that keep your heart from beating too slowly. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to provide a shock, if needed, and pace the heart. Ablation to create a scar in the heart muscle that stops the electrical impulses causing arrhythmia. It can be unsettling to feel your heart beat out of rhythm. While these feelings aren’t uncommon, it can be worth your peace of mind to see a provider and make sure everything is okay. “Today’s arrhythmia treatments are very safe and highly successful,” says Henoch, “especially when you receive care from an experienced team.”
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When Should You Worry About an Irregular Heartbeat? ## More alert details # When Should You Worry About an Irregular Heartbeat? Contributor: Jane Henoch, FNP-BC Feb 3, 2025 - [Patient Care](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom.topic=Patient%20Care) - [Heart Conditions & Heart Surgery](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom.topic=Heart%20Conditions%20&%20Heart%20Surgery) - [Health & Wellness](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom.topic=Health%20&%20Wellness) - [share on facebook](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry) - [share on linkedIn](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry) - [share on X, formerly known as Twitter](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry) - [share by email](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry) - print article ![A man running in a park checks his smartwatch and looks concerned about an irregular heartbeat](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/content/mgb-global/global/en/about/newsroom/articles/irregular-heartbeat-when-to-worry/_jcr_content/root/container_1214295969/image.coreimg.jpeg/1738337231741/runner-smartwatch-heart-rate-2200x1200.jpeg) If you’ve ever felt like your heart was skipping a beat or racing, you’re not alone. “These sensations are fairly common and often not harmful,” says Jane Henoch, FNP-BC, a Mass General Brigham nurse practitioner. Henoch cares for patients at Massachusetts General Hospital and specializes in cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. But persistent or frequent irregular heartbeats may require medical care, especially if they occur with other symptoms. “Certain arrhythmias can be serious and even life-threatening if not treated,” says Henoch. ## What is an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)? [Cardiac arrhythmia](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/cardiac-arrhythmia) occurs when your heart beats too fast ([tachycardia](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/tachycardia)), too slow ([bradycardia](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/bradycardia)), or skips beats ([heart palpitations](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/heart-palpitations)). An irregular heartbeat isn’t always cause for concern. ## What are arrhythmia causes? An electrical conduction system powers your heart. This system sends electrical signals that cause your heart muscle to contract and pump blood. You might think of this system as your heart’s natural [pacemaker](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/what-is-a-pacemaker). Your heart can beat out of rhythm when something goes wrong with this system, such as: - Electrical signals travel through different pathways in the heart. - Nerve cells that make and send electrical signals don’t function as they should. - A different part of your heart starts sending electrical signals. ![](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/etc.clientlibs/aem-mgb/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/play-video-icon.svg) Video Player ![](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/etc.clientlibs/aem-mgb/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/blue-x-close-icon.svg) Close video player modal ## When should you see a health care provider about an irregular heartbeat? You should see a health care provider if you have an irregular heartbeat that occurs several times a day or week, or if you experience heart rhythm changes that last for up to an hour or longer. ### See a provider if an irregular heartbeat occurs with symptoms like: - [Chest pain](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/angina) - Dizziness or fainting - Shortness of breath ### Other reasons to seek medical care for an irregular heartbeat An irregular heartbeat is more likely to be a sign of arrhythmia (and therefore more concerning) if you have one or more of these risk factors: - [Cardiomyopathy](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/cardiomyopathy) - [Congenital heart disease](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/adult-congenital-heart-disease) - [Coronary artery disease](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/coronary-artery-disease-risk-factors) - [Genetic heart disease](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/inherited-heart-conditions) - History of [smoking](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/tips-to-quit-smoking) or [substance use disorder](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/substance-use-disorders) - [Obesity](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/obesity-associated-risks-cause-disease) - Previous [heart attack](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/heart-attack) - [Sleep apnea](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/sleep-apnea-symptoms) > Today’s arrhythmia treatments are very safe and highly successful, especially when you receive care from an experienced team. Jane Henoch, FNP-BC Nurse Practitioner Mass General Brigham ## Pinpointing the cause of an irregular heartbeat To determine whether your heartbeat is too fast, too slow, or erratic, you may see an [electrophysiologist](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/what-is-an-electrophysiologist). These [cardiologists](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/first-cardiologist-appointment-what-to-expect) specialize in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders. ### Heart rate monitor to record irregular heartbeats Because an irregular heartbeat is just that — not regular or predictable — your provider may recommend wearing a heart rate monitor. These monitors work like an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). They monitor and record your [heart rate](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/what-your-heart-rate-is-telling-you) and heart electrical activity while you go about your usual activities. In the past, providers recommended Holter monitors. But this monitor only records heart activity for 48 hours. It also has a lot of electrodes (stickers) and connecting wires, which can be awkward to wear. Modern heart rate monitors offer more options. Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend one of these simple wearable [devices to monitor your heart rate](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/how-to-check-your-heart-rate): - Prescription heart rate monitors: A small, thin, prescription-only device sticks to the skin above your heart. You press a button on the device when your heartbeat feels irregular. The device records the activity. You also describe the feeling in a logbook. After 14 days, you mail the monitor and logbook to the device company, which creates a report for your provider. - Smartphone monitors: With this type of smartphone device, you press your fingertips onto a small pad when you feel an irregular heartbeat. The pad-like device sends information to a smartphone app, which you can share with your provider. - Smartwatches: Smartwatches can measure heart rates and show when your heart beats too fast or slow. Some smartwatches have built-in sensors that work as an ECG/EKG. “We’ve found these watches to be extremely helpful in monitoring heart activities because people wear them all day, and sometimes all night,” says Henoch. “They provide a good snapshot of a person’s heart activity.” ### Diagnosing arrhythmias If a heart rate monitor detects a concerning heart rhythm change, or you have other symptoms like [chest pain](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/chest-pain-sign-of-a-heart-attack-or-something-else), you may get one or more of these heart tests: - ECG/EKG: Sensors on the skin that measure the heart’s electrical activity. - Echocardiogram (echo): High-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) show how well the heart pumps blood (ejection fraction). - Cardiac MRIs: Radio waves and strong magnetic fields capture images of the heart muscle and blood flow to the heart. - Stress tests: Imaging machines capture images of your heart while under exertion from physical activity or an IV medication that increases your heart rate. - Electrophysiology (EP) tests: Sensors that doctors place inside the heart to measure electrical activity. - Genetic testing: This [advanced blood test](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/research-and-innovation/centers-and-programs/personalized-medicine/molecular-medicine/tests) helps doctors detect gene changes that can cause genetic heart disease and inherited arrhythmias. ## When do you need treatment for an irregular heartbeat? Not everyone who experiences an irregular heartbeat needs medical treatment. “Treatment depends on whether you have an arrhythmia, its type, and severity,” says Henoch. For instance, the most common type of arrhythmia, [atrial fibrillation (AFib)](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/atrial-fibrillation), increases your risk for blood clots that cause [strokes](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/understanding-strokes). AFib always requires a medical evaluation. ### Arrhythmia treatments If you follow the cardiac arrhythmia treatment plan your provider creates for you, you can learn [how to live with arrhythmia](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/living-with-arrhythmia). Arrhythmia treatments vary depending on the type and severity. They include: - Antiarrhythmic medications to keep the heart beating in a normal heart rhythm. - Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) to prevent blood clots. - Cardioversion to deliver an electric shock that restores a normal heart rhythm. - Pacemakers to send electrical impulses that keep your heart from beating too slowly. - [Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/what-is-a-defibrillator) to provide a shock, if needed, and pace the heart. - Ablation to create a scar in the heart muscle that stops the electrical impulses causing arrhythmia. It can be unsettling to feel your heart beat out of rhythm. While these feelings aren’t uncommon, it can be worth your peace of mind to see a provider and make sure everything is okay. “Today’s arrhythmia treatments are very safe and highly successful,” says Henoch, “especially when you receive care from an experienced team.” * Learn about Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular services [Heart & Vascular Care](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart) * ## Contributor Jane Henoch, FNP-BC Nurse Practitioner ![Mass General Brigham](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/content/experience-fragments/mgb-global/global/en/site/footer/master/_jcr_content/root/container_1627538517/container/container/image.coreimg.svg/1775162556082/logo-with-white-text.svg) [Patient Care](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care) [Research & Innovation](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/research-and-innovation) [Education & Training](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/education-and-training) [About](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about) [Careers](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/careers) [For Medical Professionals](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/medical-professionals) [For Employees](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/for-employees) [Log in to Patient Gateway](https://patientgateway.massgeneralbrigham.org/) [Find a Doctor](https://doctors.massgeneralbrigham.org/search?sort=relevance%2Cnetworks%2Cavailability_density_best) [Find a Location](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/find-a-location) [Contact Us](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/contact-us) [Mass General Brigham Health Plan](https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MassGeneralBrigham) [X, formerly known as Twitter](https://twitter.com/MassGenBrigham) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/massgeneralbrigham/) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/massgeneralbrigham) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mass-general-brigham) © 2026 Mass General Brigham Incorporated. 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Readable Markdown	If you’ve ever felt like your heart was skipping a beat or racing, you’re not alone. “These sensations are fairly common and often not harmful,” says Jane Henoch, FNP-BC, a Mass General Brigham nurse practitioner. Henoch cares for patients at Massachusetts General Hospital and specializes in cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. But persistent or frequent irregular heartbeats may require medical care, especially if they occur with other symptoms. “Certain arrhythmias can be serious and even life-threatening if not treated,” says Henoch. ## What is an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)? [Cardiac arrhythmia](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/cardiac-arrhythmia) occurs when your heart beats too fast ([tachycardia](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/tachycardia)), too slow ([bradycardia](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/bradycardia)), or skips beats ([heart palpitations](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/heart-palpitations)). An irregular heartbeat isn’t always cause for concern. ## What are arrhythmia causes? An electrical conduction system powers your heart. This system sends electrical signals that cause your heart muscle to contract and pump blood. You might think of this system as your heart’s natural [pacemaker](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/what-is-a-pacemaker). Your heart can beat out of rhythm when something goes wrong with this system, such as: - Electrical signals travel through different pathways in the heart. - Nerve cells that make and send electrical signals don’t function as they should. - A different part of your heart starts sending electrical signals. ## When should you see a health care provider about an irregular heartbeat? You should see a health care provider if you have an irregular heartbeat that occurs several times a day or week, or if you experience heart rhythm changes that last for up to an hour or longer. ### See a provider if an irregular heartbeat occurs with symptoms like: - [Chest pain](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/angina) - Dizziness or fainting - Shortness of breath ### Other reasons to seek medical care for an irregular heartbeat An irregular heartbeat is more likely to be a sign of arrhythmia (and therefore more concerning) if you have one or more of these risk factors: - [Cardiomyopathy](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/cardiomyopathy) - [Congenital heart disease](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/adult-congenital-heart-disease) - [Coronary artery disease](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/coronary-artery-disease-risk-factors) - [Genetic heart disease](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/inherited-heart-conditions) - History of [smoking](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/tips-to-quit-smoking) or [substance use disorder](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/substance-use-disorders) - [Obesity](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/obesity-associated-risks-cause-disease) - Previous [heart attack](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/heart-attack) - [Sleep apnea](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/sleep-apnea-symptoms) ## Pinpointing the cause of an irregular heartbeat To determine whether your heartbeat is too fast, too slow, or erratic, you may see an [electrophysiologist](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/what-is-an-electrophysiologist). These [cardiologists](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/first-cardiologist-appointment-what-to-expect) specialize in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders. ### Heart rate monitor to record irregular heartbeats Because an irregular heartbeat is just that — not regular or predictable — your provider may recommend wearing a heart rate monitor. These monitors work like an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). They monitor and record your [heart rate](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/what-your-heart-rate-is-telling-you) and heart electrical activity while you go about your usual activities. In the past, providers recommended Holter monitors. But this monitor only records heart activity for 48 hours. It also has a lot of electrodes (stickers) and connecting wires, which can be awkward to wear. Modern heart rate monitors offer more options. Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend one of these simple wearable [devices to monitor your heart rate](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/how-to-check-your-heart-rate): - Prescription heart rate monitors: A small, thin, prescription-only device sticks to the skin above your heart. You press a button on the device when your heartbeat feels irregular. The device records the activity. You also describe the feeling in a logbook. After 14 days, you mail the monitor and logbook to the device company, which creates a report for your provider. - Smartphone monitors: With this type of smartphone device, you press your fingertips onto a small pad when you feel an irregular heartbeat. The pad-like device sends information to a smartphone app, which you can share with your provider. - Smartwatches: Smartwatches can measure heart rates and show when your heart beats too fast or slow. Some smartwatches have built-in sensors that work as an ECG/EKG. “We’ve found these watches to be extremely helpful in monitoring heart activities because people wear them all day, and sometimes all night,” says Henoch. “They provide a good snapshot of a person’s heart activity.” ### Diagnosing arrhythmias If a heart rate monitor detects a concerning heart rhythm change, or you have other symptoms like [chest pain](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/chest-pain-sign-of-a-heart-attack-or-something-else), you may get one or more of these heart tests: - ECG/EKG: Sensors on the skin that measure the heart’s electrical activity. - Echocardiogram (echo): High-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) show how well the heart pumps blood (ejection fraction). - Cardiac MRIs: Radio waves and strong magnetic fields capture images of the heart muscle and blood flow to the heart. - Stress tests: Imaging machines capture images of your heart while under exertion from physical activity or an IV medication that increases your heart rate. - Electrophysiology (EP) tests: Sensors that doctors place inside the heart to measure electrical activity. - Genetic testing: This [advanced blood test](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/research-and-innovation/centers-and-programs/personalized-medicine/molecular-medicine/tests) helps doctors detect gene changes that can cause genetic heart disease and inherited arrhythmias. ## When do you need treatment for an irregular heartbeat? Not everyone who experiences an irregular heartbeat needs medical treatment. “Treatment depends on whether you have an arrhythmia, its type, and severity,” says Henoch. For instance, the most common type of arrhythmia, [atrial fibrillation (AFib)](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/heart/conditions/atrial-fibrillation), increases your risk for blood clots that cause [strokes](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/understanding-strokes). AFib always requires a medical evaluation. ### Arrhythmia treatments If you follow the cardiac arrhythmia treatment plan your provider creates for you, you can learn [how to live with arrhythmia](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/living-with-arrhythmia). Arrhythmia treatments vary depending on the type and severity. They include: - Antiarrhythmic medications to keep the heart beating in a normal heart rhythm. - Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) to prevent blood clots. - Cardioversion to deliver an electric shock that restores a normal heart rhythm. - Pacemakers to send electrical impulses that keep your heart from beating too slowly. - [Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/what-is-a-defibrillator) to provide a shock, if needed, and pace the heart. - Ablation to create a scar in the heart muscle that stops the electrical impulses causing arrhythmia. It can be unsettling to feel your heart beat out of rhythm. While these feelings aren’t uncommon, it can be worth your peace of mind to see a provider and make sure everything is okay. “Today’s arrhythmia treatments are very safe and highly successful,” says Henoch, “especially when you receive care from an experienced team.”
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