30. Very Fast or Very Slow Irregular Heartbeat
In the final stages, heart failure often leads to serious rhythm problems, where the heartbeat becomes very fast, very slow, or irregular. A very fast heartbeat is called tachycardia, while a very slow one is bradycardia. Irregular rhythms are known as arrhythmias.
Patients may feel pounding in the chest, fluttering, or pauses between beats. Some may feel dizzy, faint, or extremely weak. In severe cases, these abnormal rhythms can be life-threatening.
For example, Mrs. Roshe, a 69-year-old retired nurse, felt sudden palpitations while cooking. Her heart raced so fast that she felt dizzy and collapsed. At the hospital, doctors diagnosed atrial fibrillation, a common arrhythmia in heart failure. She was given medication and later a small device to regulate her heartbeat.
Abnormal heart rhythms are among the most dangerous complications of heart failure. They can cause strokes, sudden fainting, or even cardiac arrest. Families should seek urgent medical help if patients complain of strong palpitations, fainting, or sudden weakness.