Heart Still Racing? Why Your Heart Is Misfiring: Ablation & Medical Steps

If your heart feels like it's racing, fluttering, skipping beats, or pounding out of rhythm, you're not imagining it. These sensations—often called heart palpitations—can be unsettling. In some cases, they're harmless. In others, they may signal an underlying heart rhythm problem, such as atrial fibrillation (AF) or another type of arrhythmia.

One of the most effective treatments for certain ongoing rhythm problems is ablation. Below, we'll explain why your heart may be "misfiring," what medical steps are typically taken, and when ablation may be recommended.

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Why Is Your Heart Misfiring?

Your heart runs on electricity. Every heartbeat is triggered by a carefully coordinated electrical signal that travels through the heart muscle. When that signal becomes disorganized, too fast, too slow, or originates from the wrong area, an arrhythmia occurs.

Common causes of a racing or irregular heart include:

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) – rapid, chaotic signals in the upper chambers
• Atrial flutter
• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
• Ventricular tachycardia (more serious)
• Thyroid disorders
• High blood pressure
• Heart valve disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Excess caffeine or alcohol
• Stress or anxiety
• Sleep apnea

Some arrhythmias are brief and harmless. Others increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, or other complications if left untreated.

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Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

While some people feel only mild fluttering, others experience more noticeable symptoms, such as:

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Skipped beats
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Fainting

Seek urgent medical care if you have:

• Chest pain
• Severe shortness of breath
• Fainting
• Symptoms of stroke (weakness, speech difficulty, facial droop)

If your heart rhythm feels persistently abnormal, it's important to speak to a doctor. Early evaluation can prevent serious complications.

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Atrial Fibrillation: A Common Cause

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia worldwide. In AF, the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of beating normally. This can cause:

• A fast or irregular pulse
• Blood pooling in the heart
• Increased stroke risk

AF becomes more common with age and with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

If you're experiencing symptoms like a racing heart or irregular pulse and want to understand whether Atrial Fibrillation (AF) could be the cause, a free online symptom checker can help guide your next steps and determine if you should seek medical evaluation.

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How Doctors Diagnose a Misfiring Heart

If you report a racing heart, your doctor may recommend:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – records heart rhythm
• Holter monitor – portable monitor worn 24–48 hours
• Event monitor – worn longer for intermittent symptoms
• Echocardiogram – ultrasound of the heart
• Blood tests (thyroid, electrolytes)
• Stress testing (if coronary disease is suspected)

The goal is to identify:

• The exact type of arrhythmia
• How often it occurs
• Whether structural heart disease is present
• Your stroke risk (in AF cases)

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First-Line Treatment: Lifestyle & Medication

Before considering ablation, doctors often start with conservative measures.

Lifestyle Changes

For many patients, these steps improve rhythm stability:

• Reduce caffeine and alcohol
• Manage stress
• Treat sleep apnea
• Control blood pressure
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly (as advised by your doctor)

Medications

Depending on the arrhythmia, medications may include:

• Rate-control drugs – slow the heart rate
• Rhythm-control drugs (antiarrhythmics) – maintain normal rhythm
• Blood thinners (in AF) – reduce stroke risk

For some people, medication works well long term. For others, symptoms persist, side effects occur, or rhythm problems worsen.

That's where ablation may enter the picture.

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What Is Ablation?

Cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat certain abnormal heart rhythms by targeting the faulty electrical signals causing them.

During ablation:

1. A cardiologist (electrophysiologist) inserts thin tubes (catheters) through a vein, usually in the groin.
2. The catheters are guided to the heart.
3. The problem area is identified.
4. Energy (heat or cold) is delivered to destroy small areas of abnormal tissue.

This prevents faulty electrical signals from continuing.

There are two main types:

• Radiofrequency ablation – uses heat
• Cryoablation – uses extreme cold

Both aim to restore a normal rhythm.

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When Is Ablation Recommended?

Ablation may be recommended if:

• Symptoms continue despite medication
• Medications cause side effects
• You prefer a procedural option over long-term drugs
• Certain arrhythmias (like SVT) are highly responsive to ablation
• AF persists or recurs

In some cases, especially in younger patients with symptomatic AF, ablation may be considered earlier rather than after years of medication.

Your cardiologist will weigh:

• Type of arrhythmia
• Duration
• Overall heart health
• Stroke risk
• Age and general health

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How Effective Is Ablation?

Effectiveness depends on the arrhythmia:

• SVT: Success rates often exceed 90%
• Atrial flutter: Very high success rates
• Atrial fibrillation:
  • 60–80% success after one procedure
  • Some patients need repeat ablation

It's important to understand that:

• Ablation reduces episodes.
• It may not "cure" AF permanently.
• Some patients still need medications.
• Blood thinners may still be required if stroke risk remains high.

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Risks of Ablation

While generally safe when performed by experienced specialists, ablation carries risks, including:

• Bleeding or infection at the catheter site
• Blood vessel injury
• Blood clots
• Stroke (rare but serious)
• Damage to heart structures
• Need for pacemaker (rare)
• Recurrence of arrhythmia

Your doctor will carefully evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

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What Recovery Looks Like

Most patients:

• Go home the same day or next day
• Resume normal activity within a few days
• Avoid heavy lifting for about a week

You may still feel irregular beats in the first few months. This does not always mean ablation failed. The heart needs time to heal.

Follow-up appointments are critical.

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When to Speak to a Doctor

You should speak to a doctor if:

• Your heart races frequently
• Episodes are lasting longer
• You feel faint or dizzy
• You have known AF but symptoms worsen
• You have stroke risk factors

If symptoms are severe or sudden, seek emergency care.

Even if symptoms seem mild, untreated arrhythmias can sometimes lead to:

• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Cardiomyopathy
• Reduced quality of life

Prompt evaluation protects your long-term health.

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The Bottom Line

A racing or misfiring heart is not something to ignore. While stress or caffeine may play a role, persistent or recurring symptoms could indicate a true electrical problem like atrial fibrillation.

Treatment often begins with lifestyle changes and medication. When those aren't enough, ablation offers a proven, minimally invasive option that can significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

If you're concerned about whether your symptoms might be related to Atrial Fibrillation (AF), using a free symptom checker is a helpful starting point to better understand your condition before seeing a healthcare provider.

Most importantly, speak to a doctor about any symptoms that could be serious or life threatening. Early diagnosis and proper treatment—including ablation when appropriate—can dramatically reduce risks and help your heart beat the way it's meant to.