This term refers to a change from a normal, regular, automatic, heart beat and rhythm to an irregular beat and rhythm. A heartbeat that is too fast is called tachycardia. A heartbeat that is too slow is called bradycardia.
There are many different types of arrhythmia. Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can be serious or even life threatening. The main types of arrhythmia: premature (extra) beats, supraventricular arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias, and bradyarrhythmias.
Stress, smoking, heavy alcohol use, heavy exercise, use of certain drugs (such as cocaine or amphetamines), use of certain prescription or over-the-counter medicines, and too much caffeine or nicotine can lead to arrhythmia in some people.
Millions people of the whole world have arrhythmias. They are very common in older in adults older than 60. Some types of arrhythmia happen more often in children and young adults. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias (a fast heart rate that begins and ends suddenly), including Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, are more common in young people.
Arrhythmias can be hard to diagnose, especially types that only cause symptoms every once in a while. Doctors use several methods to help diagnose arrhythmias, including family and medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests and procedures. Blood chemistry may help find any chemical imbalance that may be causing the arrhythmias. A special (esophageal) ECG is occasionally needed for diagnosis. A stress ECG taken while the individual is performing an exercise such as rapid walking may be done in the evaluation of an arrhythmia.
Common arrhythmia treatments include medicines, medical procedures, and surgery. Treatment is needed when an arrhythmia causes serious symptoms, such as dizziness, chest pain, or fainting, or when it increases your chances of developing complications, such as heart failure, stroke, or sudden cardiac death.
Even serious arrhythmias can often be successfully treated. Most people with arrhythmias are able to live normal, healthy lives.
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