arrhythmias
Erratic cardiac rhythms
Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats—the heart beating too fast, too slow, or with an uneven rhythm.
The term covers a range of conditions from harmless flutters to life-threatening irregularities that require immediate medical attention.
The monitor detected several arrhythmias during the stress test.
Atrial fibrillation is among the most common arrhythmias.
The singular arrhythmia refers to the condition generally or to a single irregular beat.
Rapid irregular muscle contractions
- tachycardiaExcessively fast pulse
- bradycardiaAbnormally slow heart rate
- atrialOf upper heart chambers
- ventricularOf heart's lower chambers
pacemaker · defibrillator · ablation · electrophysiology · flutter · sinus node · conduction · PACs
Awareness of abnormal heartbeat
- syncopeTemporary loss of consciousness
- dizzinessUnsteady, spinning sensation
- faintingTemporary loss of consciousness
- shortness of breathDifficulty inhaling enough air
fatigue · lightheadedness · fluttering · racing heart · skipped beats · irregular pulse · weakness · anxiety
Removal by cutting, melting
- pacemakerDevice regulating heartbeat
- defibrillatorHeart-shocking medical device
- cardioversionArrhythmia correction procedure
- anticoagulantSubstance preventing blood clots
beta blocker · blood thinner · ICD · medication · warfarin · aspirin · lifestyle modification · surgery
Insufficient tissue blood supply
- cardiomyopathyHeart muscle disorder
- congenitalExisting from birth
- electrolyte imbalanceAbnormal blood mineral levels
- hypertensionChronic elevated arterial pressure
thyroid disorder · sleep apnea · caffeine · alcohol · stress · coronary artery disease · heart failure · diabetes
Deviating from normal patterns
- erraticLacking regularity or consistency
- rapidMoving with haste
- slowLacking in speed
- intermittentOccurring at irregular intervals
episodic · paroxysmal · sustained · chronic · persistent · unpredictable · sporadic · recurrent
fibrillation
Rapid irregular muscle contractions
- tachycardiaExcessively fast pulse
- bradycardiaAbnormally slow heart rate
- atrialOf upper heart chambers
ventricular · pacemaker · defibrillator · ablation · electrophysiology · flutter · sinus node · conduction · PACs · PVCs
palpitations
Awareness of abnormal heartbeat
- syncopeTemporary loss of consciousness
- dizzinessUnsteady, spinning sensation
- faintingTemporary loss of consciousness
shortness of breath · fatigue · lightheadedness · fluttering · racing heart · skipped beats · irregular pulse · weakness · anxiety · sweating
ablation
Removal by cutting, melting
- pacemakerDevice regulating heartbeat
- defibrillatorHeart-shocking medical device
- cardioversionArrhythmia correction procedure
anticoagulant · beta blocker · blood thinner · ICD · medication · warfarin · aspirin · lifestyle modification · surgery
ischemia
Insufficient tissue blood supply
- cardiomyopathyHeart muscle disorder
- congenitalExisting from birth
- electrolyte imbalanceAbnormal blood mineral levels
thyroid disorder · hypertension · sleep apnea · caffeine · alcohol · stress · coronary artery disease · heart failure · diabetes · scarring
irregular
Deviating from normal patterns
intermittent · episodic · paroxysmal · sustained · chronic · persistent · unpredictable · sporadic · recurrent · transient
- cardiotoxicityheart failure, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, pericarditis, QT prolongation
- pregnancy complicationspreeclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, fetal distress, premature birth