Episode 5: “When the Heart Skips a Beat — Grandpa Iyer Explains Arrhythmia”

[Scene: Arjun and Dr. Iyer sitting on the balcony, sipping tea, with birds chirping in the background.]

Arjun: Grandpa, after our talk about double vision, I googled stuff — and I found this thing called Arrhythmia. People say your heart skips a beat… that’s a thing? I thought only love does that!

Dr. Iyer (smiling): Well, love might be poetic, but Arrhythmia is pure science, my boy! Yes, your heart can skip beats — but it’s not always romantic.

Arjun: So what exactly is Arrhythmia? It sounds complicated.

Dr. Iyer: Let’s break it down. The heart usually beats in a steady rhythm — like a drummer keeping time. But sometimes, electrical signals in the heart misfire, causing:

Skipped beats
Irregular rhythms
Heart racing or slowing down unexpectedly

That’s Arrhythmia — any disturbance in the heart’s natural rhythm.

Dr. Iyer: Arrhythmia comes in many forms, like:

• Bradycardia — Heart beats too slow
• Tachycardia — Heart races too fast
• Atrial Fibrillation — Irregular, chaotic beating
• Premature Beats — Early extra beats that feel like a “pause” or flutter

Arjun: Wow. That sounds serious. Should I be worried if I feel my heart skip?

Dr. Iyer: Occasional skipped beats can happen to anyone — stress, caffeine, dehydration, even excitement can trigger it. But frequent or persistent Arrhythmia needs medical attention.

Sometimes, it’s harmless. But in other cases, it can signal:
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Thyroid issues
Electrolyte imbalances

Arjun: Okay, so the body’s giving warnings again?

Dr. Iyer: Exactly! Your heart’s rhythm is a language. Listen to it.

Dr. Iyer’s Tips:
Stay hydrated
Limit caffeine and alcohol
Manage stress — breathing exercises help
Get your heart checked if you feel fluttering, faint, or dizzy

Arjun: That explains why some athletes wear heart monitors.

Dr. Iyer: Right. Technology helps track these things. But awareness is your first shield.

Arjun (grinning): I swear, Grandpa, you explain these things better than any YouTube doctor!

Dr. Iyer: Knowledge, beta, mixed with experience — unbeatable combo!

Takeaways:

Arrhythmia = Irregular heartbeat
Can feel like skipped beats, fluttering, or racing heart
Needs medical attention if persistent or causing discomfort

Dr. Iyer : “Imagine being sick but refusing to believe you are… In our next chat, I’ll explain Anosognosia — when your brain hides the truth from itself.”