Last updated on August 16th, 2018 at 10:13 am

The charity holds various events around the country to promote awareness of irregular heart rhythm.

Irregular heartbeat (heart arrhythmia), although sounding scary, is a relatively common condition.

The heart beats through an electrical signal and pushes blood through your body.  If there is a problem with the system, your heart rhythm may become irregular, for example beating too fast, too slow, or irregularly.

What causes a different heart rhythm?

The most common type of heart arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation.  This means that the heart beats faster and more irregular than normal.

Heart arrhythmia is usually caused because electrical pulses coming from the wrong part of the heart, or they come from the correct place but go to the heart via an unusual route.

It is not always possible to prevent an onset of arrhythmia occurring, however, a healthy diet and lifestyle will help to reduce the risk.

What can be done about an irregular heart rhythm?

If heart arrhythmia is properly diagnosed people can lead a completely normal life.

However if left unchecked, atrial fibrillation can lead to the heart not pumping the blood around the body regularly and this could lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Atrial fibrillation is very easy to treat so it is important that, if you experience irregular heartbeat, you seek the advice of your GP. If the GP believes that you have an arrhythmia, he is likely to perform a series of tests, including blood tests, an ECG and probably a 24 hour ECG tape, which looks specifically for changes in heart rhythm.

There are numerous treatments for heart arrhythmia, ranging from tablets to invasive procedures and the treatment will depend on the severity of the condition.

During this year’s Heart Rhythm Week, the Arrhythmia Alliance is running The Pulse Check Challenge, in which it is attempting to check the most number of pulses in a week. Find out more on Twitter @knowyourpulse

Where can you find out more?

The information in this post is not meant to offer medical advice.  The British Heart Foundation website has lots of information on it about arrhythmia.  Or you can read its useful booklet BHF dealing with abnormal heart rhythms.