Things that can cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) include: Current heart attack or scarring from a previous heart attack. Blocked arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) Changes to the heart's structure, such as from cardiomyopathy.

Why is my pulse so irregular?

The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular and fast heart beat. Many factors can affect your heart's rhythm, such as having had a heart attack, smoking, congenital heart defects, and stress. Some substances or medicines may also cause arrhythmias.

Is it bad to have an irregular heartbeat?

In many cases, these irregular heartbeats are harmless and will resolve on their own. But when they occur persistently, they can be serious. When your heart's rhythm is disrupted, it isn't pumping oxygenated blood efficiently, which can cause harm to the heart and the rest of the body.