ARRYTHMIA
An arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat where the
heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or with an irregular rhythm.
TYPES OF ARRYTHMIA-There are different types of depending on what part of the heart is affected and
whether they cause a slow, fast, or irregular heart rhythm. Arrhythmias may happen in the upper
chambers of the heart or the lower chambers of the heart.
Arrhythmias that cause a slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
1.Bradycardia is a resting heart rate that is slower than 60 beats per minute. Some people who are young
or physically fit, may normally have slower heart rates the doctor may need to establish whether its
normal or problematic.
2.Tachycardia is a resting heart rate that is faster than 100 beats per minute. Which may also have an
irregular heartbeat.
A premature heartbeat happens when the signal to beat comes too early. This creates a pause, which is
followed by a stronger beat when your heart returns to its regular rhythm. It can feel like your heart
skipped a beat. This is a common type of arrhythmia which may cause other types of arrhythmias.
3.Supraventricular arrhythmias-This type of arrhythmia starts in the atria or the gateway to the lower
chambers. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia. This condition causes your heart to
beat more than 400 beats per minute. Also, your heart’s upper and lower chambers do not work together
as they should. When this happens, the lower chambers do not fill completely or pump enough blood to
your lungs and body. Atrial flutter can cause the upper chambers of your heart to beat 250 to 350 times
per minute. The signal that tells the atria to beat may be blocked by damaged or scar tissue. This may
cause the upper chambers and lower chambers to beat at different rates.
4.Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) causes extra heartbeats because of a problem with the
electrical signals that begin in the upper chambers and travel to the lower chambers. This type of
arrhythmia begins and ends suddenly. It can happen during vigorous physical activity. It is usually not
dangerous and often happens in young people.
5.Ventricular arrhythmias
Ventricular arrhythmias start in your heart’s lower chambers, called the ventricles. These arrhythmias can
be very dangerous and usually require medical care right away.
Ventricular tachycardia is a fast, regular beating of your ventricles that may last for only a few seconds or
for much longer, if beating lasts for more than a few seconds, it can lead to more serious arrhythmias,
such as ventricular fibrillation (v-fib).
Ventricular fibrillation occurs if electrical signals make the ventricles quiver instead of pumping
normally. Without the ventricles’ pumping blood to the body, cardiac arrest and death can happen within
a few minutes.
, SYMPTOMS OF AN ARRHYTHMIA
An arrhythmia may not necessarily have any obvious symptoms. A person will notice symptoms such as a
slower or irregular heartbeat in some instances they notice pauses between heartbeats. They may also
experience palpitations.
Other symptoms of arrhythmias include:
1. Anxiety
2. Chest pain or discomfort
3. Confusion
4. Difficulty breathing, or gasping during sleep
5. Dizziness and fainting
6. Tiredness or weakness
DIAGNOSIS
Without visible symptoms an arrythmia may be diagnosed during a visit to the doctors for a check up.
To diagnose an arrhythmia, one may have to prompt the patient about any symptoms, lifestyle habits, and
other risk factors of arrhythmias which will lead to a physical exam, that may include these steps:
1. Checking for swelling in your legs or feet, which could be a sign of an enlarged heart or heart
failure
2. Checking your pulse to find out how fast your heart is beating
3. Listening to the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat
4. Listening to your heart for a heart murmur
5. Looking for signs of other diseases, such as thyroid disease, that could be causing arrhythmias
Diagnostic tests
An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is the most common test for diagnosing arrhythmias. An
EKG records your heart’s electrical activity.
Blood tests measure the level of certain substances in the blood, such as potassium or other
electrolytes and thyroid hormone.
Monitors for long-term recording include Holter monitors and implantable loop recorders. These
record your heart rhythm while you do your normal activities. Holter monitors measure your
heart rhythm using a device that is outside of your body and are usually used for short periods of
time.
An electrophysiology study (EPS), which is performed by an EPS cardiologist, measures the
electrical activity of your heart. This is done by threading a wire through a blood vessel to your
heart. The wire electrically stimulates your heart and triggers any underlying arrhythmia if you
have one.
An arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat where the
heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or with an irregular rhythm.
TYPES OF ARRYTHMIA-There are different types of depending on what part of the heart is affected and
whether they cause a slow, fast, or irregular heart rhythm. Arrhythmias may happen in the upper
chambers of the heart or the lower chambers of the heart.
Arrhythmias that cause a slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
1.Bradycardia is a resting heart rate that is slower than 60 beats per minute. Some people who are young
or physically fit, may normally have slower heart rates the doctor may need to establish whether its
normal or problematic.
2.Tachycardia is a resting heart rate that is faster than 100 beats per minute. Which may also have an
irregular heartbeat.
A premature heartbeat happens when the signal to beat comes too early. This creates a pause, which is
followed by a stronger beat when your heart returns to its regular rhythm. It can feel like your heart
skipped a beat. This is a common type of arrhythmia which may cause other types of arrhythmias.
3.Supraventricular arrhythmias-This type of arrhythmia starts in the atria or the gateway to the lower
chambers. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia. This condition causes your heart to
beat more than 400 beats per minute. Also, your heart’s upper and lower chambers do not work together
as they should. When this happens, the lower chambers do not fill completely or pump enough blood to
your lungs and body. Atrial flutter can cause the upper chambers of your heart to beat 250 to 350 times
per minute. The signal that tells the atria to beat may be blocked by damaged or scar tissue. This may
cause the upper chambers and lower chambers to beat at different rates.
4.Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) causes extra heartbeats because of a problem with the
electrical signals that begin in the upper chambers and travel to the lower chambers. This type of
arrhythmia begins and ends suddenly. It can happen during vigorous physical activity. It is usually not
dangerous and often happens in young people.
5.Ventricular arrhythmias
Ventricular arrhythmias start in your heart’s lower chambers, called the ventricles. These arrhythmias can
be very dangerous and usually require medical care right away.
Ventricular tachycardia is a fast, regular beating of your ventricles that may last for only a few seconds or
for much longer, if beating lasts for more than a few seconds, it can lead to more serious arrhythmias,
such as ventricular fibrillation (v-fib).
Ventricular fibrillation occurs if electrical signals make the ventricles quiver instead of pumping
normally. Without the ventricles’ pumping blood to the body, cardiac arrest and death can happen within
a few minutes.
, SYMPTOMS OF AN ARRHYTHMIA
An arrhythmia may not necessarily have any obvious symptoms. A person will notice symptoms such as a
slower or irregular heartbeat in some instances they notice pauses between heartbeats. They may also
experience palpitations.
Other symptoms of arrhythmias include:
1. Anxiety
2. Chest pain or discomfort
3. Confusion
4. Difficulty breathing, or gasping during sleep
5. Dizziness and fainting
6. Tiredness or weakness
DIAGNOSIS
Without visible symptoms an arrythmia may be diagnosed during a visit to the doctors for a check up.
To diagnose an arrhythmia, one may have to prompt the patient about any symptoms, lifestyle habits, and
other risk factors of arrhythmias which will lead to a physical exam, that may include these steps:
1. Checking for swelling in your legs or feet, which could be a sign of an enlarged heart or heart
failure
2. Checking your pulse to find out how fast your heart is beating
3. Listening to the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat
4. Listening to your heart for a heart murmur
5. Looking for signs of other diseases, such as thyroid disease, that could be causing arrhythmias
Diagnostic tests
An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is the most common test for diagnosing arrhythmias. An
EKG records your heart’s electrical activity.
Blood tests measure the level of certain substances in the blood, such as potassium or other
electrolytes and thyroid hormone.
Monitors for long-term recording include Holter monitors and implantable loop recorders. These
record your heart rhythm while you do your normal activities. Holter monitors measure your
heart rhythm using a device that is outside of your body and are usually used for short periods of
time.
An electrophysiology study (EPS), which is performed by an EPS cardiologist, measures the
electrical activity of your heart. This is done by threading a wire through a blood vessel to your
heart. The wire electrically stimulates your heart and triggers any underlying arrhythmia if you
have one.
