Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia is the term for an abnormal heart rhythm, and can refer to a variety of specific issues including tachycardia (when the heart beats too fast), ventricular fibrillation (a life-threatening condition where erratic electrical impulses prevent the heart from pumping blood as it should), bradycardia (when the heart beats too slow) and atrial fibrillation (where rapid heartbeat increases the likelihood of a stroke). Patients experiencing arrhythmia may complain of angina (chest pain), a fluttering sensation in the chest, dizziness, shortness of breath or fainting (syncope). Possible causes and contributors to these conditions include an ongoing heart attack, clogged arteries, hypertension, stress, illicit drug use, scarred heart tissue, thyroid disease, sleep apnea and genetic heart defects. Treatments include beta blockers and other anti-arrhythmic medications, implanted pacemakers and defibrillators, catheter ablation procedures, Maze surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting.