Symptom 4: Rapid or Irregular Heartbeats (Arrhythmias)
When ischemic cardiomyopathy takes hold, it may cause rapid or irregular heartbeats, also known as arrhythmias. If you’ve ever felt your heart “skip a beat” or flutter rapidly in your chest, you’ve experienced what an arrhythmia might feel like.
In ischemic cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle’s damage can disrupt the normal electrical signals that control heartbeats. As a result, the heart might beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. These arrhythmias can cause a range of symptoms, from a barely noticeable flutter to a frighteningly rapid heartbeat.
Arrhythmias can be unsettling, especially when they cause symptoms like lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting. These can occur because the irregular heartbeats prevent the heart from pumping blood effectively, causing a temporary decrease in brain blood flow.
It’s worth noting that not all arrhythmias are harmful. However, those resulting from ischemic cardiomyopathy can be a serious concern because they can lead to severe complications like stroke or sudden cardiac arrest.
Arrhythmias associated with ischemic cardiomyopathy demand attention and should not be brushed off as simple palpitations. By recognizing the potential severity of this symptom, you can seek timely help and potentially avoid severe health consequences. (4)
