Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia refers to an abnormality in the rhythm or rate of the heartbeat. In a healthy heart, the cardiac rhythm is regular, and the rate adjusts appropriately to the body's needs, often ranging from 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest. Arrhythmias can cause the heart to beat too quickly (tachycardia), too slowly (bradycardia), or with an erratic and irregular pattern. These irregularities are due to problems with the heart's electrical system, which coordinates the timing and sequence of each heartbeat. The sensations that may arise from arrhythmias include palpitations, weakness, dizziness, or even fainting (syncope). Some arrhythmias may be benign, while others can be life-threatening, increasing the risk of stroke or causing sudden cardiac arrest.

There are several types of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, where the upper chambers of the heart quiver ineffectively; ventricular fibrillation, a chaotic rhythm originating in the heart's lower chambers; and long QT syndrome, which pertains to an extended segment in the heart's electrical cycle that can cause sudden, uncontrollable, dangerous arrhythmias. Diagnosis of an arrhythmia may require tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitor, or exercise stress test, and treatments range from lifestyle changes and medications to advanced interventions like catheter ablation or the implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator, depending on the arrhythmia's type and severity.