Archive for the ‘Arrhythmia’ Category
Abnormal Heart Rhythm (Arrhythmia)
Abnormal Heart Rhythm (Arrhythmia)
An irregular heartbeat is an arrhythmia (also called dysrhythmia). Heart rates can also be irregular. A normal heart rate is 50 to 100 beats per minute. Arrhythmias and abnormal heart rates don’t necessarily occur together. Arrhythmias can occur with a normal heart rate, or with heart rates that are slow (called bradyarrhythmias — less than 60 beats per minute). arrhythmias can also occur with rapid heart rates (called tachyarrhythmias — faster than 100 beats per minute). In the United States more than 850,000 people are hospitalized for an arrhythmia each year.
What causes an arrhythmia?
Arrhythmias may be caused by many different factors, including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Electrolyte imbalances in your blood (such as sodium or potassium).
- Changes in your heart muscle.
- Injury from a heart attack
- Healing process after heart surgery.
Irregular heart rhythms can also occur in “normal, healthy” hearts. Read the rest of this entry »
Your Guide to Arrhythmia
Cardiac arrhythmia is an irregularity of the heart beat that causes the heart to beat too slowly, too fast, or irregularly. An abnormally fast heart rate is called tachycardia and an abnormally slow heart rate is called bradycardia.
There are different types of arrhythmias. Most arrhythmias are not particularly dangerous. However, some may be life threatening and do require immediate medical attention. During arrhythmias, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body and lack of blood flow can damage the brain, heart, and other organs.
SYMPTOMS OF ARRHYTHMIA
When the heart rate becomes irregular, a person might feel any of the following sensations in their chest:
- Palpitations
- Throbbing
- Pounding
- Thumping
- Fluttering
- A feeling like the heart skipped a beat Read the rest of this entry »
