Heart Arrhythmias and Palpitations in Grand Rapids, MI

Heart arrhythmias and palpitations are common concerns for adults in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan. Cold winters, seasonal stress, and lifestyle factors can all affect your heart rhythm. Understanding the signs, causes, and when to seek care can help you protect your heart health and know when to visit a local cardiologist or emergency department.

What Are Heart Arrhythmias and Palpitations?

Normally, your heart’s electrical system keeps your heartbeat steady and coordinated, usually between 60–100 beats per minute at rest. Electrical signals tell the heart muscle when to contract and relax so it can pump blood effectively.

Heart arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms. Your heart may beat:

  • Too fast
  • Too slow
  • Irregularly

Palpitations are the feeling or awareness of your heartbeat. You might notice your heart:

  • Racing
  • Thumping or pounding
  • Fluttering
  • Skipping beats

Almost everyone in Grand Rapids will feel palpitations at some point. Many are harmless, but some can be a sign of a more serious heart rhythm problem that needs medical care.

Common Triggers of Heart Palpitations

Palpitations may have no obvious cause, but they can be triggered by:

  • Caffeine (coffee, energy drinks, soda)
  • Nicotine (cigarettes, vaping, e‑cigarettes)
  • Alcohol
  • Recreational or illicit drugs
  • Certain prescription or over‑the‑counter medicines
  • Stress and anxiety (common during long Michigan winters)
  • Lack of sleep or extreme tiredness
  • Fever, colds, or flu
  • Dehydration (including during hot, humid West Michigan summers)

If you suspect a medication or supplement is causing palpitations, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop prescription medicines without medical advice.

Types of Abnormal Heart Rhythms

There are many kinds of arrhythmias. Some are mild and don’t affect your daily life. Others can be serious or life‑threatening if not treated.

By Heart Rate and Rhythm

  • Tachycardia – heartbeat that is too fast (usually >100 beats per minute)
  • Bradycardia – heartbeat that is too slow (usually <60 beats per minute)
  • Irregular heartbeat – beats that are uneven, skipped, or extra

Tachycardia (Fast Heartbeat)

Some types of tachycardia are not dangerous, while others are emergencies.

1. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
SVT starts in the upper chambers of the heart (atria). Common types include:

  • Atrial flutter
  • Atrial fibrillation (AFib) – a very common rhythm problem in older adults and people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease

SVT is often not life‑threatening but can cause:

  • Palpitations
  • Shortness of breath
  • Light‑headedness or dizziness

2. Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
VT starts in the lower chambers (ventricles). It is much more dangerous.

If VT becomes severe, the ventricles cannot pump blood properly, which can lead to:

  • Ventricular fibrillation (VF) – a chaotic, life‑threatening rhythm
  • Sudden drop in blood pressure
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Sudden cardiac arrest and death if not treated immediately

Bradycardia (Slow Heartbeat)

Bradycardia is when your heart beats too slowly. It becomes serious when your heart cannot pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.

Bradycardia can be:

  • Normal in healthy, athletic people (many runners and cyclists in West Michigan have lower resting heart rates)
  • Abnormal due to heart problems or aging

Common causes include:

  • Sick sinus syndrome – the heart’s natural pacemaker (sinus node) fires too slowly, too fast, or switches between slow and fast
  • Heart block – a delay or block in the electrical signal traveling from the upper chambers (atria) to the lower chambers (ventricles)

Types of heart block include:

  • Atrioventricular (AV) block
  • Bundle branch block

Ectopic Heartbeats (Skipped or Extra Beats)

Ectopic beats are extra or skipped beats that can come from the:

  • Atria (premature atrial contractions, PACs)
  • Ventricles (premature ventricular contractions, PVCs)

Many people in Grand Rapids feel these as brief “flutters” or “skipped beats.” They are often harmless but should be evaluated if frequent or associated with other symptoms.

Inherited Electrical Problems

Some arrhythmias are caused by genetic conditions affecting the heart’s electrical system, such as:

  • Long QT syndrome
  • Brugada syndrome
  • Wolff‑Parkinson‑White (WPW) syndrome

These can cause very fast, irregular heartbeats and may lead to fainting or, rarely, sudden cardiac arrest.

Paroxysmal Arrhythmias

“Paroxysmal” means the abnormal rhythm:

  • Starts suddenly
  • Stops suddenly

Episodes can last:

  • Seconds
  • Minutes
  • Hours
  • Up to a week

Atrial fibrillation, SVT, and other arrhythmias can be paroxysmal.

Symptoms of Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:

  • Palpitations (racing, thumping, fluttering, pounding, or skipping beats)
  • Light‑headedness or dizziness
  • Shortness of breath (especially when walking in the snow or climbing stairs)
  • Sweating
  • Fainting or near‑fainting
  • Anxiety or feeling “on edge”
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Fatigue or low energy

Emergency Warning Signs – Call 911

Call 911 immediately and ask for an ambulance if you have palpitations AND any of the following for more than a few minutes:

  • Chest pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness, or discomfort in your:
    • Chest
    • Neck
    • Jaw
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Shoulders
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Cold, clammy sweat
  • Severe shortness of breath
  • Feeling very dizzy, faint, or like you might pass out

In Grand Rapids, emergency care for serious heart rhythm problems is available at:

  • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital (Corewell Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health facilities in the region

Causes of Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Arrhythmias can be caused by heart problems or other medical conditions, including:

  • Coronary artery disease
  • Heart attack (current or previous)
  • Heart failure
  • Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)
  • Heart valve disease
  • Congenital (born with) heart disease
  • High blood pressure (very common in Michigan adults)
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid problems (overactive or underactive)
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (more common in people who snore or are overweight)
  • Scarring from previous heart surgery or heart attack

Triggers That Can Worsen or Reveal an Arrhythmia

  • Alcohol (including binge drinking)
  • Caffeine
  • Nicotine (cigarettes, cigars, vaping)
  • Recreational drugs (such as cocaine, amphetamines)
  • Other illnesses (cold, flu, COVID‑19)
  • Fever or dehydration
  • Physical or emotional stress (job changes, financial stress, winter blues)
  • Some prescription or over‑the‑counter medicines, including:
    • Some cold and flu medicines
    • Certain asthma or ADHD medications
    • Some antidepressants or antibiotics

If you live in Grand Rapids and often get sick during winter with colds or flu, be cautious with decongestants and cold medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which products are safest for your heart.

Exercise and Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Physical activity is very important for heart health, especially in a region like West Michigan where long winters can lead to inactivity and weight gain. However, in some people, certain types of exercise can trigger arrhythmias.

Talk to your doctor if you notice:

  • Palpitations during or right after exercise
  • Unusual shortness of breath
  • Dizziness or chest discomfort with activity

Do not stop all exercise on your own. Your cardiologist or primary care provider can help you create a safe activity plan. Grand Rapids offers many options for indoor exercise during winter, such as community centers, indoor tracks, and fitness clubs.

How Abnormal Heart Rhythms Are Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

If you experience palpitations or other symptoms, see your doctor. In the Grand Rapids area, you can start with your:

  • Primary care provider
  • Cardiologist at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health

Common tests include:

  • Physical examination – listening to your heart and lungs, checking your pulse and blood pressure
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – records your heart’s electrical activity at one point in time
  • Holter monitor or event monitor – portable ECG worn for 24 hours or longer to catch intermittent arrhythmias
  • Exercise stress test – ECG while walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike
  • Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) – shows heart structure, valve function, and how strongly your heart pumps
  • Blood tests – check thyroid function, electrolytes, and other possible causes
  • Electrophysiology (EP) study – a catheter test done in a hospital to map the heart’s electrical system and identify the source of abnormal rhythms
  • Tilt table test – checks how your heart rate and blood pressure respond to changes in body position, especially if you have fainting spells

These tests are commonly available through major health systems in Grand Rapids and surrounding Kent County.

Treatment Options for Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Treatment depends on:

  • The type of arrhythmia
  • The cause
  • Your symptoms
  • Your overall health and lifestyle

Not all arrhythmias are dangerous, and some may only need monitoring.

Medications

Medicines may be used to:

  • Stabilize or control the heart rhythm
  • Slow a fast heart rate
  • Prevent blood clots (important in atrial fibrillation)
  • Treat underlying conditions (blood pressure, heart failure, thyroid disease, etc.)

Always take your medicines exactly as prescribed and discuss side effects with your doctor.

Procedures and Devices

  • Electrical cardioversion

    • A controlled, mild electric shock given under sedation
    • Used to “reset” certain abnormal rhythms (like atrial fibrillation) back to normal

  • Catheter ablation

    • A thin tube (catheter) is guided to your heart
    • Heat or cold energy is used to destroy small areas of tissue causing abnormal electrical signals
    • Often done in an electrophysiology lab at major Grand Rapids hospitals

  • Pacemaker

    • A small device implanted under the skin of your chest
    • Sends electrical signals to keep your heart from beating too slowly

  • Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

    • A device that monitors your heart rhythm
    • Can deliver a shock to correct life‑threatening rhythms like ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation

  • Emergency defibrillation

    • A stronger electric shock given in emergency situations (such as cardiac arrest)
    • Often using an automated external defibrillator (AED) in public places or by emergency medical services

Cardiac care teams in Grand Rapids, including specialists at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health, perform these treatments regularly.

Living With an Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Grand Rapids

Many people with arrhythmias live full, active lives with proper care and lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle Tips

  • Know your triggers

    • Keep a log of when palpitations occur and what you were doing (caffeine, stress, exercise, lack of sleep, etc.)

  • Take your medicines as prescribed

    • Do not skip doses
    • Do not stop medicines suddenly without medical advice

  • Make heart‑healthy lifestyle changes

    • Quit smoking or vaping
    • Limit alcohol and caffeine
    • Eat a heart‑healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
    • Reduce salt intake to control blood pressure
    • Maintain a healthy weight

  • Stay active, safely

    • Aim for regular, moderate exercise approved by your doctor
    • Use indoor options during icy or extremely cold Grand Rapids winters to avoid falls and overexertion

  • Manage other health conditions

    • Keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar under control
    • Get evaluated for sleep apnea if you snore loudly or feel very tired during the day

  • Manage stress and mood

    • Long winters and shorter daylight hours in West Michigan can affect mood and stress levels
    • Consider relaxation techniques, counseling, or support groups if you feel anxious or depressed

It is normal to feel worried, anxious, or uncertain after being diagnosed with an arrhythmia. Talk openly with your doctor and lean on support from family and friends.

Local Heart Health Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you live in the Grand Rapids metro area, you have access to high‑quality cardiac care and community resources:

  • Primary Care & Cardiology Clinics

    • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health cardiology clinics
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids cardiology services
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health heart and vascular services
    • Mercy Health cardiology clinics

  • Public Health Resources

    • Kent County Health Department – heart health programs, blood pressure screenings, and wellness resources
    • Grand Rapids Public Health initiatives – community education on chronic diseases, including heart disease

  • Emergency Care

    • In any emergency, always call 911
    • Emergency departments at Spectrum Health Butterworth, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and other local hospitals

If you are unsure where to start, contact your primary care provider in Grand Rapids to discuss your symptoms and request a referral to a cardiologist if needed.

When to See a Doctor

Schedule an appointment with your doctor or a local cardiologist if you:

  • Have frequent or persistent palpitations
  • Feel your heart beating too fast, too slow, or very irregularly
  • Experience shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or dizziness with palpitations
  • Have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnea
  • Have a family history of sudden cardiac death or inherited heart rhythm problems

Key Takeaways

  • Heart arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that can cause palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort.
  • Many palpitations are harmless, but some arrhythmias can be serious or life‑threatening.
  • Triggers include caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, stress, illness, some medicines, and underlying heart or thyroid problems.
  • Diagnosis may include ECG, heart monitoring, echocardiogram, blood tests, stress testing, and electrophysiology studies.
  • Treatments range from lifestyle changes and medications to procedures like cardioversion, ablation, pacemakers, and ICDs.
  • Grand Rapids residents have access to excellent heart care through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and local public health resources.
  • In an emergency or if you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or fainting with palpitations, call 911 immediately.