Health Tip: About Heart Arrhythmia

It's an irregular heartbeat

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(HealthDay News) -- A healthy heart beats at a steady, regular pace to keep blood flowing throughout the body. But sometimes, the heart can beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly. This condition, when serious, often requires prompt treatment.

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The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists these common risk factors for heart arrhythmia:

• Having had a previous heart attack.
• Problems with your endocrine system.
• A decline in the heart's general health.
• Blood chemistry abnormalities.
• Consuming caffeine.
• Cocaine use.
• Use of certain drugs, such as amphetamines, beta blockers, psychotropics or sympathomimetics.

-- Diana Kohnle