3. Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat – The Heart’s Cry for Help in Acute Systolic Heart Failure
A rapid or irregular heartbeat, known as tachycardia or arrhythmia, is yet another symptom indicative of acute systolic heart failure. In a healthy state, your heart rhythmically contracts and relaxes to pump blood throughout the body. But when the heart’s function is compromised, as in acute systolic heart failure, it attempts to compensate for its inefficiency by beating faster.
The compensatory acceleration in heart rate could result in a rapid, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat, which might be felt in the chest, throat, or neck. You might even notice your heart seems to skip beats or adds extra beats. These irregularities can also cause sensations of flip-flopping or palpitations, often causing alarm or discomfort.
While it’s true that a fast heartbeat could merely be a reaction to stress, excitement, or vigorous physical activity, it could also indicate a deeper problem when accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue. If you’re experiencing persistent or unexplained changes in your heart rate or rhythm, it’s prudent to seek immediate medical attention.
This symptom underlines the sheer distress the heart undergoes due to the decreased pumping efficiency in acute systolic heart failure. But why does the heart resort to such a strategy?
When the heart isn’t pumping enough blood to meet the body’s needs, it tries to make up for it by increasing the heart rate. The logic is simple: more beats should equate to more blood being circulated. However, this could further stress the already weakened heart, worsening the condition in the long run.
Recognizing these changes in your heartbeat and addressing them promptly could make a world of difference in the management of acute systolic heart failure. Remember, a rapid or irregular heartbeat is more than just a fleeting discomfort; it could be a distress call from your heart. (3)
