Arrhythmias

What is a Heart Arrhythmia?

The heart has an electrical system that keeps your heart rhythm regular. This system sends signals from your heart’s natural pacemaker, the SA-Node, to other parts of the heart. Learn how the electrical system in the heart works »

If you have an arrhythmia, this means that you have an abnormal heart rhythm. It may cause your heart to beat too slowly or too quickly. See what is happening to your heart when you have arrhythmias (opens in new window) »

What Are The Different Types of Heart Arrhythmias?

There are arrhythmias with a slow heart beat, such as:

• bradycardia (less than 60 beats per minute)
• heart blocks

There are also arrhythmias with a fast heart beat, such as:

• tachycardia (greater than 100 beats per minute)
  • atrial flutter.
  • atrial fibrillation. See what is happening to your heart when you have atrial fibrillation (opens in new window) »
• supraventricular tachycardia
• ventricular tachycardia
• ventricular fibrillation

What Are The Signs of Arrhythmia?

Signs of a too slow or too fast heartbeat may include:

• chest pain or discomfort
• shortness of breath
• weakness
• dizziness
• palpitations

Arrhythmias can be detected by an ECG, holter monitor or electrophysiology study.

• Learn what happens during an ECG test »
• Learn what happens during a holter monitor test »

How Are Arrhythmias Treated?

Treatment for arrhythmias may include:

• Medi​cine
• Catheter Ablation: a procedure to destroy heart tissue that is causing the arrhythmia »
• Cardioversion: a procedure to kick-start the heart back into a regular rhythm
• Pacemaker: A device to help regulate the heart’s rhythm. Learn more about getting a pacemaker »
• Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT): a special type of pacemaker that is used to help your heart pump »
• Implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD): A device that helps to treat dangerous heart rhythms. Learn more about getting an implantable cardiac defibrillator »