Should Heartbeat Be Steady?

A normal pulse should follow a steady beat. If you have AF, your pulse will feel irregular, erratic and possibly fast, and the strength will vary. If your pulse feels like this, or if you're concerned, see your GP.

Why is my pulse not steady?

An arrhythmia is an uneven heartbeat. It means your heart is out of its usual rhythm. It may feel like your heart skipped a beat, added a beat, or is "fluttering." It might feel like it's beating too fast (which doctors call tachycardia) or too slow (called bradycardia). Or you might not notice anything.

What does it mean when your heart rate fluctuates?

When the heart beats too fast, too slow, or with a skipping (irregular) rhythm, a person is said to have an arrhythmia. A change in the heart's rhythm may feel like an extra-strong heartbeat (palpitation) or a fluttering in your chest. Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) often cause this feeling.