You should be worried about an irregular heartbeat and seek medical care if you experience any of the following:
- The irregular heartbeat happens frequently or for no apparent reason.
- You have a fast heartbeat while at rest (more than 100 beats per minute).
- You have a slow heartbeat (fewer than 60 beats per minute).
- You feel heart palpitations where the heart skips a beat or beats too hard or fast.
- You experience chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, weakness, light-headedness, dizziness, loss of consciousness, blackouts, or fainting.
These symptoms can indicate serious or life-threatening conditions that need immediate medical attention. Even if symptoms are mild, if the irregular heartbeat persists or if you have risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease, you should talk to your doctor for advice and possible testing.
