The London Heart Rhythm Group Explains Abnormal Heart Beats

London, United Kingdom, November 22, 2014 --(PR.com)-- An abnormal heart beat can be a sign of a serious condition that requires treatment, but many people are unaware that their heart is beating faster, slower, or less regularly than it should be.

The London Heart Rhythm Group explains the causes of abnormal beating of heart. The heart beat is normally controlled by a special group of cells called the sinus node that forms a natural pacemaker. This pacemaker sends out electrical signals to the four chambers of the heart, telling them when to beat. When all is well, the chambers beat at the right time, moving blood through the heart and around the body at a steady pace.

Although the heart beat is usually fairly regular, most people will have a slower or faster heart rate at certain times, such as when relaxing or exercising, and it is also normal to have an occasional feeling that the heart is beating irregularly or that is has skipped a beat. However, sometimes the system controlling the heart rate doesn't work properly. This can lead to a consistently abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia, which can cause the heart to best at the wrong speed, or in an irregular pattern. When this happens, the performance of the heart can be affected, leading to symptoms such as dizziness and breathlessness as the heart fails to pump blood around the body efficiently.

It is important for people to be more aware of the signs of arrhythmia and the importance of seeking medical help. An abnormal heart beat could be a sign of a serious condition such as atrial fibrillation, which can have serious, or even life threatening, consequences. However, many people do not find out that they have an abnormal heart beat until it is spotted by chance. Many arrhythmias are only recognized when patients seek help for a completely unrelated condition, or when they visit their GP for a general check up.
About the London Heart Rhythm Group:

The London Heart Rhythm Group is a team of specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal heart beat providing private consultations at hospitals and clinics across London. The experienced team of consultants hold posts at some of London's most prestigious hospitals, including Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, the Royal Brompton Hospital, and the Harefield Hospital, where they are dedicated to providing patient centred care for heart arrhythmia. Particular specialities of the group include the management of syncope and the treatment of atrial fibrillation through catheter ablation.