Your heart may beat faster than it should. Or it may beat irregularly.

Having an irregular heartbeat means that instead of beating evenly like the ticking of a watch, your heart beats like this: thump, thump, thump-thump, thump. Abnormal rhythms make it hard for your heart to pump blood as well as it should.

To learn more, see What does my heart do?

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.