Arrythmia

Arrhythmia is the umbrella diagnosis for any change from the normal sequence of electrical impulses traveling through the heart, resulting in abnormal heart rhythms (heartbeat). This can affect the heart's ability to pump, especially if the arrhythmia is very fast or very slow.

The heart is divided into four chambers. The normal heartbeat is created when an electrical impulse moves through the heart, always following a specific route. If the electrical pulse is transmitted normally, the heart beats at a rate of between 60 - 100 times each minute. Some arrhythmia's are transitory, barely noticeable and cause few or no symptoms or danger. Extra or premature heart beats are a common, usually benign arrythmia that may cause palpitations and anxiety but rarely cause serious problems.  However if an arrhythmia is too fast, too slow or otherwise unpredictable, it can cause symptoms of dizziness and fainting. Dangerous arrythmias can cause stroke, heart attack and death.

The three most common forms of potentially serious arrhythmia are:

Atrial fibrillation, in which the two upper chambers of the heart seem to flutter or quiver uncontrollably.

Tachycardia, a heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute.

Bradycardia, a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute.