Cardiac Arrhythmias: When Your Heart's Rhythm Goes Off-Beat

When Your Heart Beats to Its Own Drum

Cardiac arrhythmias — abnormalities in the heart's electrical rhythm — range from the completely benign (ectopic beats felt as a "flip" or "skip") to life-threatening (ventricular fibrillation). In Nigeria, where ECG access is limited and many people have never had a cardiac evaluation, arrhythmias are commonly experienced but rarely properly investigated.

Metabolic Triggers That Drive Arrhythmias

• Electrolyte imbalances — magnesium, potassium, and calcium are essential for cardiac electrical stability. Vomiting, diarrhoea, diuretics, and poor diet all deplete these
• Thyroid disease — both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism affect cardiac rhythm
• Excessive caffeine and stimulants — high-dose energy drinks increasingly popular in Nigerian urban settings
• Sleep apnoea — oxygen drops during sleep trigger arrhythmias; often undiagnosed
• Alcohol — acute arrhythmias after heavy drinking ("holiday heart")

The FXMed Cardiac Rhythm Assessment

Our Functional Health Analysis includes electrolyte panel (magnesium, potassium, calcium), thyroid panel, ECG, and cardiac risk markers. If you experience palpitations, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or pre-syncope, book an assessment before assuming it's nothing. Many arrhythmias have entirely addressable root causes.