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[\< Back To Arrhythmias](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/node/92648) - Types 0 [Arrhythmias](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types) [MENU]() - [Home](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/) - [Health Topics](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/node/93751) - [\< Back To Arrhythmias](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/node/92648) - Types - [What Is an Arrhythmia?](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias) - [Types](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types) - [Symptoms](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/symptoms) - [Diagnosis](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/diagnosis) - [Causes and Triggers](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/causes) - [Treatment](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/treatment) - [Living With](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/living-with) - [Related Conditions](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types) - [Conduction Disorders](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/conduction-disorders) - [Long QT Syndrome](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/long-qt-syndrome) - [Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome) MORE INFORMATION [Participate in a Study](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials?f%5B0%5D=disease_or_condition_name%3AArrhythmias) [Research](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/research/arrhythmias) Arrhythmias # Arrhythmias Types [](https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhlbi.nih.gov%2Fhealth%2Farrhythmias%2Ftypes&title=Types "Share") [Email](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/#email "Email") [Print](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/#print "Print") ## Language switcher - [English](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types) - [Español](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/es/salud/arritmias/tipos) **IN THIS ARTICLE** - [Arrhythmias that cause a slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types#Arrhythmias-that-cause-a-slow,-fast,-or-irregular-heartbeat) - [Supraventricular arrhythmias](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types#Supraventricular-arrhythmias) - [Ventricular arrhythmias](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types#Ventricular-arrhythmias) - [How do you know if your heart beats too fast or too slow?](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types#How-do-you-know-if-your-heart-beats-too-fast-or-too-slow?) [View More]() [View Less]() There are many types of arrhythmias, depending on what part of the heart is affected and whether they cause a slow, fast, or irregular heart rate. Arrhythmias may happen in the atria (upper chambers of the heart) or the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). [*Medical Animation Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, All rights reserved.*](https://catalog.nucleusmedicalmedia.com/) [(link is external)](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types) ## Arrhythmias that cause a slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat - **Bradycardia** is a resting heart rate that is slower than 60 beats per minute. Some people, especially people who are young or physically fit, may normally have slower heart rates. If you have a slow heart rate, your doctor can find out whether this is normal for you. - **Tachycardia** is a resting heart rate that is faster than 100 beats per minute. You may also have an irregular heartbeat. - **A premature or extra heartbeat** happens when the signal to beat comes too early. This creates a pause, which is followed by a stronger beat when your heart returns to its regular rhythm. It can feel like your heart skipped a beat. This is a common type of arrhythmia, and it can cause other types of arrhythmias. ## Supraventricular arrhythmias This type of arrhythmia starts in the atria or the gateway to the lower chambers. - [**Atrial fibrillation**](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atrial-fibrillation) is the most common type of arrhythmia. More than 2.5 million people in the United States have atrial fibrillation. This condition causes your heart to beat more than 400 beats per minute. Also, your heart’s upper and lower chambers do not work together as they should. When this happens, the lower chambers do not fill completely or pump enough blood to your lungs and body. - **Atrial flutter** can cause the upper chambers of your heart to beat 250 to 350 times per minute. The signal that tells the atria to beat may be blocked by damaged or scar tissue. This may cause the upper chambers and lower chambers to beat at different rates. - **Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)** causes extra heartbeats because of a problem with the electrical signals that begin in the upper chambers and travel to the lower chambers. This type of arrhythmia begins and ends suddenly. It can happen during vigorous physical activity. It is usually not dangerous and often happens in young people. ## Ventricular arrhythmias Ventricular arrhythmias start in your heart’s lower chambers, called the ventricles. These arrhythmias can be very dangerous and usually require medical care right away. - **Ventricular tachycardia** is a fast, regular beating of your ventricles that may last for only a few seconds or for much longer. A few beats of ventricular tachycardia often do not cause problems. However, if this lasts for more than a few seconds, it can lead to more serious arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation (v-fib). - **Ventricular fibrillation** occurs if electrical signals make the ventricles quiver instead of pumping normally. Without the ventricles’ pumping blood to the body, [cardiac arrest](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cardiac-arrest) and death can happen within a few minutes. ## How do you know if your heart beats too fast or too slow? Most adults have a resting heart rate of between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Some smartwatches or smartphone apps can help you find out your resting heart rate. You can also find out your heart rate by feeling your pulse. To find your pulse, gently place your index and middle fingers on the artery found on the inner wrist of either arm, below your thumb. You should feel a pulsing or tapping against your fingers. Watch the second hand or set the timer on your stopwatch or phone and count the number of beats you feel in 30 seconds. Double that number to find out your heart rate or pulse for 1 minute. ### Book traversal links for 92302 - #### Previous [What Is an Arrhythmia?](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias "Go to previous page") - #### Next [Symptoms](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/symptoms "Go to next page") Last updated on March 24, 2022 Back To Top Link [Back to top](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types#main-content) Web Policies & Notices - [Accessibility](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/contact/website-privacy-and-accessibility) - [No FEAR Act Data](https://eeo.nih.gov/no-fear-act) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/contact/website-privacy-and-accessibility/privacy-statement) - [Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/contact/website-privacy-and-accessibility) - [HHS Vulnerability Disclosure](https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html) [(link is external)](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types) Related Government Websites - [Health and Human Services](https://www.hhs.gov/) [(link is external)](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types) - [National Institutes of Health](https://www.nih.gov/) - [Office of the Inspector General](https://oig.hhs.gov/) [(link is external)](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types) - [USA.gov](https://www.usa.gov/) [(link is external)](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types) Stay Connected -  [Live Chat](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias/types) Live Chat with us, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. - [Get Email Alerts](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news-and-events/email-alerts) Receive automatic alerts about NHLBI related news and highlights from across the Institute. 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