Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmia)

A heart arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. Symptoms of arrhythmia may include fatigue or weakness, dizziness, fainting, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and chest pain.

Atrial fibrillation

This condition causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. People who have atrial fibrillation may experience breathlessness, chest pain, fatigue and feeling faint or light-headed.

Ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia is a fast, abnormal heart rate. Common symptoms include rapid heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, feeling light-headed, shortness of breath and fainting. Sometimes, ventricular tachycardia can cause your heart to stop (cardiac arrest), which is a medical emergency.

Supraventricular tachycardia

Supraventricular tachycardia is where your heart suddenly beats faster than usual for a few minutes or hours. The main symptoms are dizziness, heart palpitations, a pounding sensation in the neck, weakness or fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease does not always have obvious symptoms. In some people, it can cause can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea and feeling faint or light-headed.

Heart valve disease

Symptoms of heart valve disease can include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, feeling faint or light-headed, and swollen ankles, feet or abdomen.

Bradycardia

Bradycardia is where the heart rate is too slow. Common symptoms can include feeling faint or fainting, feeling light-headed or dizzy, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, memory problems, feeling confused and tiring easily when exercising.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure can often cause headaches, blurred or double vision, nosebleeds and shortness of breath.

Heart palpitations

Heart palpitations can cause a pounding or fluttering sensation or irregular beating, often for just a few seconds or minutes. These sensations may be felt in the chest, throat or neck.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

This condition causes the heart to beat abnormally fast for periods of time. Symptoms may include heart palpitations, feeling light-headed or dizzy, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, sweating and feeling anxious.

Syncope (blackouts)

A blackout, otherwise known as fainting or passing out, is a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness. Symptoms can include dizziness, cold skin, sweating, slurred speech, feeling sick and changes to vision. You recover fully within a short time.