Don't Ignore Shortness of Breath After Climbing Stairs; It Could Signal Arrhythmia

Experiencing shortness of breath after climbing stairs, often dismissed as a sign of low fitness, could actually be an indicator of arrhythmia, a potentially serious irregular heartbeat. Dr. Monik Mehta, a cardiologist, warns that this symptom, especially when accompanied by dizziness or chest discomfort, warrants medical attention. Arrhythmia disrupts the heart's rhythm, leading to inefficient blood circulation.

“

When the heart rate is too slow, too fast or irregular, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood and oxygen to the body during activity.

When the heart beats too fast, too slow, or erratically, it may not pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body during physical activity. Symptoms can vary based on the type and severity of the arrhythmia, but commonly include palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, chest discomfort, and reduced exercise tolerance. A particular concern is heart block, where electrical signals between the heart's upper and lower chambers are delayed or interrupted, potentially causing a dangerously slow heart rate that requires immediate medical evaluation.

“

Some types of this condition can cause the heart rate to become very slow and require immediate medical examination.

Dr. Mehta emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis to avoid complications. Doctors can utilize various diagnostic tools, including electrocardiograms (EKG), Holter monitors, echocardiograms, stress tests, and blood tests, to identify the cause of the symptoms. Treatment plans are individualized, ranging from medications to control heart rate and rhythm to more invasive procedures like catheter ablation, which eliminates abnormal electrical pathways causing the arrhythmia.

“

One of them is catheter ablation, a minimally invasive procedure used to treat atrial fibrillation and several other types of arrhythmia. This procedure is performed by eliminating the abnormal electrical pathways that cause the arrhythmia.