Your Heart’s Rhythm Has a Story to Tell

You may notice heart palpitations, sensations like fluttering, pounding or skipped beats. Heart palpitations are common¹, accounting for 16% of visits to primary care physicians, and are the second leading cause of visits to cardiologists.² While experiencing these can feel scary, these fluttery sensations are common and often harmless, caused by temporary stressors. But in some cases, they can signal an arrhythmia.

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm where your heart may beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly, and it's a condition that requires medical attention.

But not all arrhythmias cause noticeable symptoms. In fact, some people are asymptomatic, meaning they feel nothing at all. Up to one-third of people with atrial fibrillation, or Afib, a common arrhythmia with an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm, are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis.³ It is estimated that up to 27 million Americans may be at risk for undiagnosed arrhythmias.⁴

Even without symptoms, untreated arrhythmias can damage the heart, brain or other organs⁵ and may increase the risk of stroke or death.⁶

Understanding your risk and the importance of early detection

How can you do better by your heart? The good news is that arrhythmias can be highly treatable, especially when they are identified early. Taking steps to understand your heart health can make a meaningful difference. And that includes early detection and treatment of arrhythmias to reduce the burden of cardiac disease.⁷

One way to support early detection is by understanding your personal risk factors and discussing them with your healthcare provider. You can also reduce certain risk factors that are associated with arrhythmias. Risk factors for arrhythmia include heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea, alcohol use and family history.⁸

While arrhythmias and related conditions are more common in adults over age 60⁹, they're not limited to older populations. AFib, as an example, has historically been associated with aging. However, emerging research shows that there has been an increase in younger patients getting diagnosed with AFib.¹⁰

A medical evaluation may include heart rhythm monitoring to better understand what's happening with your heart. In some cases, physicians may recommend heart rhythm monitoring based on a patient's risk factors, even if noticeable symptoms are not present.

A path forward

The path to getting a diagnosis and understanding your specific arrhythmia hasn't always been easy.

Not long ago, determining whether you had an arrhythmia required a visit to a hospital or clinic for an electrocardiogram, or ECG. Because arrhythmia episodes often come and go and must be recorded while they are occurring, a brief in-clinic ECG could miss an episode. In some cases, repeat testing was needed, or the condition went undetected.

Holter monitors, wired devices introduced decades ago and typically worn for 24 to 48 hours, are sometimes still used to evaluate heart rhythm. However, because many arrhythmias occur intermittently, these shorter monitoring periods may not always capture and record an episode because some people could go days or weeks without an episode. In fact, three out of four patients who use a Holter monitor do not get a diagnosis on the first test.¹¹

Some consumer wearable devices and smartwatches can detect irregular pulse patterns and may alert you to seek medical attention. While these tools can be helpful in prompting follow-up, they do not lead to a medical diagnosis. If you receive an alert from a smartwatch or wearable device, follow up with your healthcare provider. A medical-grade ECG is typically needed for your doctor to confirm and formally diagnose or rule out an arrhythmia.

Modern medical-grade ECG monitors can now be worn at home and continuously record your heart's electrical signal for longer than 24 to 48 hours if your doctor prescribes it.

One example is the Zio^® ECG monitoring service, which includes a small wearable patch device designed to record heart rhythm data during normal daily activities without wires or battery changes during the wear period. Zio ECG monitoring devices can record heart rhythm continuously for up to 14 days, helping physicians diagnose arrhythmias more accurately.

Advances in heart rhythm monitoring are making it easier for physicians to detect arrhythmias that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Paying attention to your heart's rhythm, especially if you have symptoms or risk factors, can help ensure you receive appropriate care. If you have concerns, talk with your healthcare provider about whether further evaluation is right for you.

Your heart's story is worth knowing. With the right tools and care, it can be a long and healthy one.