Ailments & ConditionsYour Health

What Causes An Irregular Heartbeat

Autonomic Imbalance

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for bodily functions, such as heart rate, sweating, and breathing. Any problem with this part would cause an irregular heartbeat. Both fast heart rhythms or tachycardias and slow heart rhythms or bradycardias usually happen as a result of overstimulation of the sympathetic tone or vagal tone, respectively. There are many causes of an autonomic imbalance, such as urinary obstruction, severe constipation, vomiting, sudden fright, or acute stress. Once this imbalance is resolved, symptoms of irregular heartbeats will improve. [2]