Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)

About Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)

An abnormal heart rhythm occurs when the electrical impulses traveling through the heart become disrupted. This can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly. The condition can be very serious causing the patient to faint or even die. The major causes of this disorder are heart attacks, congestive heart failure, congenital heart problems, and diseases of the heart valves.

Symptoms

Palpitations (heart racing or skipping), light-headedness, shortness of breath, fainting, anxiety, chest pain.

Tests & Diagnostics

A history, physical exam and EKG(electrocardiogram) will be performed. Additional tests may include: blood tests to rule out electrolyte or thyroid abnormality, and an echocardiogram to look for heart muscle or heart valve abnormalities. A portable heart monitor (Holter monitor) may be attached to watch heart rate and rhythm for 24 hours or more. For some arrhythmias, patients undergo a study called an electrophysiologic (EP) evaluation in a cardiac catheterization suite.

Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), EKG, Troponin.

Path 3 — Prescription Options

Prescription medications

Conventional treatment summary

Treatment is based on the cause of the arrhythmia and may include medications, a pacemaker, implantable defibrillator or ablation of abnormal electrical tissue in the heart seen during electrophysiologic (EP) evaluation. For more information contact the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Health Information Center at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov or call (301)592-8573

Medical specialties

Cardiology · Pediatric Cardiology

This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).