US Medical Term · symptoms
Irregular Heartbeat
Latido cardíaco irregular
Also: Arritmia cardíaca (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Irregular Heartbeat |
| Spanish (Español) | Latido cardíaco irregular |
| Chinese (中文) | 心律不整 |
| Korean (한국어) | 불규칙한 심박 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Nhịp tim không đều |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Hindi regular na tibok ng puso |
| Portuguese (Português) | Arritmia cardíaca |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | หัวใจเต้นผิดจังหวะ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 不整脈 |
What it means
An irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) means the heart is not beating in a steady, normal rhythm. You may feel your heart flutter, skip, or pound erratically. The most common arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation (AFib), which significantly raises stroke risk. Other types include premature beats, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and life-threatening ventricular fibrillation. Brief, occasional irregular beats in an otherwise healthy person are usually harmless. Call 911 if an irregular heartbeat is accompanied by chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or sudden weakness. Diagnosis is made by an ECG. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the arrhythmia.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My heart seems to be beating in an uneven rhythm — sometimes fast, sometimes slow, and sometimes it skips.
Mi corazón parece latir en un ritmo irregular, a veces rápido, a veces lento y a veces se salta.
I was told I have an irregular heartbeat and I am worried it could cause a stroke.
Me dijeron que tengo un latido cardíaco irregular y me preocupa que pueda causar un derrame cerebral.
I am feeling my heart flutter and skip beats right now, and I am also dizzy.
Estoy sintiendo mi corazón palpitar y saltarse latidos ahora mismo, y también estoy mareado.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
R00 Abnormalities of heart beatRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026