What complications can arise from an Irregular heartbeat?

I just talked to my dad about an hour ago and he told me he may have an irregular heartbeat. I've tried researching it on the internet but its all too scientific. Can any body help me understand any complications that might arise from this or if i shouldn't worry at all?

just talked to my dad about an hour ago and he told me he may have an irregular heartbeat. I've tried researching it on the internet but its all too scientific. Can any body help me understand any complications that might arise from this or if i shouldn't worry at all?

His doctor had to run tests for it and i'm really worried

Generally, a persistant irregular heart rhythm is AKA Atrial Fibrillation. Make sure this is what you have as opposed to some abbarent beats here and there or a normal sinus arrythmia that fluctuates with respirations. If is it Atrial Fibrillation, then the risks are low blood pressure and formation of blood clot. What happens is, the top half of your blood chamber (the atrium) is attempting to squeeze blood into the ventricle but due to an interruption in the normal electrical conduction of your heart, the atrium doesn't empty completely therefore leaving some blood left in the atrium. This blood left behind rubs together and the platelets form a clot. As this clot develops, it could be dislodged and hit anywhere in the body; coronary artery, brain, lung, etc. So, as long as you have this condition, you will need to be on blood thinning agents to prevent this from happening. Generally Coumadin is the drug and must be monitored through blood work indefinately. But it can be reversed through anti-arrhythmics, ablation, or synchronized cardioversion. Of course, you should try the least invasive treatment first with anti-arrhythmics (drugs). A good way to check if you have this is as simple as placing your pointy finger on your radial artery on your wrist (along the thumb side of the wrist), it will be a persistant irregular beat. The diagnosis of this condition is usually seen through EKG. See a cardiologist if you don't have one allready.

An irregular heart beat itself in the absence of symptoms is nearly always a variation of normal without any risk. If there were reason to worry I suspect that the physician would have said more, ordered additional testing, or started your Father on a medication. The heart typically beats more than 100 000 times daily and even if 99% perfect this would imply 1000 'abnormal' heart beats daily.

As a doctor I would suggest to follow the advice of the doctor that is treating this condition.

Dear Nancy Nurse, you cannot diagnose a dysrhthmia without an EKG . There are many different dysrhythmias with potentially different outcomes. Be careful on giving medical advice. He needs to be evaluated by his doctor who will probably refer him to a cardiologist. I hope things work out well.

anything from nothing to death, depending on the severity of the change. see your PCP.

An irregular heartbeat can arise from different causes, and that's why your dad's doctor is doing tests. Usually it's nothing to worry about if your he is not having any symptoms. His doctor will order an EKG, a test that looks at the eletrical activity of his heart. In the meantime, try to to worry too much because your dad is already seeing adoctor who is following the problem.