Wiktor Wise
An irregular electrical heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. It is a change in the heart's beating pattern, characterised by a heart rate that is too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or erratic. Arrhythmias can be harmless or serious, and may be caused by disruptions, damage, or compromise to the heart's complex system of valves, nodes, and chambers. The diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias are managed by cardiologists, specifically electrophysiologists, who specialise in heart rhythm disorders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical Term | Arrhythmia |
| Description | Any problem in the rate or rhythm of a person's heartbeat |
| Causes | Disrupted, damaged or compromised valves, nodes or chambers |
| Types | Tachycardia, Bradycardia, Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), Atrial Flutter, Ventricular Fibrillation, Conduction Disorders, Rhythm Disorders, Premature Contractions, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW), Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) |
| Symptoms | Heart flutters, palpitations, loss of exercise tolerance, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, chest discomfort, fainting |
| Diagnosis | Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), Blood tests, Ambulatory monitors, Stress test, Echocardiogram, Cardiac catheterization, Electrophysiology study (EPS), Tilt table test, CT, Heart MRI |
| Treatment | Cardioversion, Catheter ablation, Pulmonary vein isolation, Pacemaker implantation |
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What You'll Learn
Arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm
An irregular electrical heart rhythm is referred to as arrhythmia. It is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat, which can be too fast, too slow, or erratic. Arrhythmias can be harmless or serious, and they can cause a range of symptoms, including dizziness and fainting. While some arrhythmias are brief and do not significantly affect the overall heart rate, others can last longer and impact the heart's pumping efficiency.
Arrhythmias occur when the electrical impulses in the heart are disrupted. The heart contains a complex system of valves, nodes, and chambers that work together to control the flow of blood throughout the body. When this system is disrupted, damaged, or compromised, it can lead to arrhythmias. The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation (AFib), which happens when unstable electrical impulses cause the atria to quiver erratically, resulting in an irregular heartbeat. Other types of arrhythmias include atrial flutter, sinus tachycardia, and bradycardia.
To diagnose arrhythmia, healthcare providers may perform a physical examination and order diagnostic tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), blood tests, ambulatory monitors, stress tests, and cardiac imaging. Treatment options include medication and procedures such as cardioversion, catheter ablation, and pulmonary vein isolation. It is important to seek medical attention for any suspected arrhythmia to determine the best course of treatment and prevent potential health complications.
In addition to medical treatments, certain therapies can help treat or eliminate irregular heart rhythms. Cardiologists who specialize in electrophysiology may recommend specific procedures or devices to address arrhythmias. Healthy lifestyle changes may also be suggested to prevent arrhythmias from worsening. Overall, the treatment approach depends on the specific type and severity of the arrhythmia.
While not all arrhythmias are life-threatening, it is important to report any abnormal heart rhythm to a doctor. Untreated arrhythmias can lead to serious health complications, including damage to the heart, brain, and other organs. In some cases, arrhythmias can result in life-threatening conditions such as stroke, heart failure, or cardiac arrest. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate management of arrhythmias are crucial for maintaining heart health and overall well-being.
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Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW)
An irregular electrical heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a type of arrhythmia characterised by an abnormal heart rate. It is a condition in which an extra electrical pathway in the heart causes periods of rapid heart rate (tachycardia). WPW syndrome is one of the most common causes of fast heart rate problems in infants and children.
Normally, electrical signals follow a specific pathway through the heart, helping it beat regularly and preventing extra or premature beats. In people with WPW syndrome, some electrical signals take an alternative route, resulting in a very rapid heart rate called supraventricular tachycardia. This occurs when the heart's electrical signals bypass the usual route and form a short circuit, travelling in a continuous loop.
WPW syndrome is typically congenital, present at birth, although symptoms may not manifest until adulthood. It is often discovered during an electrocardiogram (ECG) test for another reason, as many individuals with the condition experience no symptoms or only mild, occasional episodes of a racing heart. However, some people with WPW syndrome may experience daily or weekly episodes of tachycardia. During these episodes, individuals may exhibit symptoms such as heart palpitations, pounding or fluttering heartbeat, and a rapid heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute.
WPW syndrome is usually not serious, and it can be effectively treated and often completely cured. The long-term treatment for WPW syndrome is typically catheter ablation, which involves inserting a catheter into a vein near the groin and guiding it up to the heart. Once the catheter reaches the heart, radiofrequency energy or cryoablation is used to destroy the small area causing the fast heart rate. This procedure has a high success rate, ranging from 85% to 95%.
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Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
An irregular electrical heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias are problems with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. They can cause your heart to beat too slowly, too fast, or irregularly.
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common type of arrhythmia. It occurs when many unstable electrical impulses misfire, causing the atria (upper chambers of the heart) to quiver erratically. This can cause the heart to beat very quickly, sometimes more than 150 beats per minute. A faster-than-normal heartbeat is known as tachycardia.
AFib can cause the heart to beat irregularly and can increase the heart rate to 80 to 180 beats per minute, which is much faster than the typical 60 to 100 beats per minute. The atria contract in a chaotic way, and blood pools and gets stuck in the grooves of the heart, which can lead to blood clots. AFib can double the risk of death and is linked to a fivefold increased risk of stroke. It can also lead to heart failure, a condition in which the heart cannot circulate enough blood to meet the body's needs.
AFib can be challenging to detect, as it may come and go. It can happen in brief episodes or be a permanent condition. Treatment options include medication to slow the heart rate and blood thinners to prevent blood clots.
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Atrial flutter
An irregular electrical heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias can be harmless or serious, and they can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. One type of arrhythmia is atrial flutter, which occurs when the heart's upper chambers (atria) beat faster than normal and are usually coordinated. Atrial flutter is typically classified as either typical or atypical (non-typical), depending on the location of the short circuit—the pathway that allows the electrical signal to move too quickly around the heart.
During atrial flutter, a short circuit—a circular electrical pathway—allows the electrical impulse to quickly move around the right atrium, causing between 240 and 340 contractions per minute. This rapid contraction prevents the chambers from filling completely between beats. The ventricles (lower chambers) also beat faster, though typically not as fast as the atria. The rate is based on the ratio of atrial to ventricular beats. Atrial flutter can occur in the left atrium as well, and it is usually an age-related arrhythmia as it rarely occurs before the age of 50.
The cause of atrial flutter may be unknown, but it is often the result of damage to the heart's electrical system. This damage may be caused by other conditions. In some cases, blood left to pool in the upper chambers after an inefficient heartbeat can increase the risk of clot formation, which can lead to a stroke that may result in permanent disability or death. However, sometimes atrial flutter goes away by itself and requires no further action.
There are several treatment options for atrial flutter, including medication and ablation. Catheter ablation is a procedure that uses a catheter to send high-frequency electrical energy to a small area of tissue inside the heart to "'disconnect'" the abnormal rhythm's pathway. Cardioversion is another option, which involves administering a small, controlled shock to the chest under anaesthesia to provide short-term correction of the heart rhythm.
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Diagnosis and treatment
An irregular electrical heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias can be harmless or serious, and they can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. The diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Here is some information on the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias:
Diagnosis
A healthcare provider can often detect an irregular heartbeat during a physical examination by taking the patient's pulse and listening to their heart. After assessing the patient's symptoms and performing an examination, the provider may order diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of arrhythmia and identify its cause. These tests may include:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Blood tests to check electrolyte levels or for genetic issues
- Ambulatory monitors
- Stress test
- Echocardiogram
- Cardiac catheterization
- Electrophysiology study (EPS)
- Tilt table test
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Heart MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Treatment
The treatment for arrhythmias depends on the specific type and severity of the condition. In addition to medication, some people may require therapies to treat or eliminate irregular heart rhythms. Here are some common treatments:
- Cardioversion: This involves using an electrical impulse to synchronize the heart and restore a normal rhythm.
- Catheter ablation: A catheter is used to deliver high-frequency electrical energy to a small area of tissue inside the heart, disrupting the pathway of the abnormal rhythm.
- Pulmonary vein isolation: This type of ablation creates scar tissue to isolate areas that may cause atrial fibrillation.
- Implantable devices: In some cases, a cardiologist may insert certain devices during a procedure in the electrophysiology lab to help regulate the heart rhythm.
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Frequently asked questions
An irregular electrical heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia.
An arrhythmia is a change in the normal sequence of electrical impulses that control the heart's beating pattern.
An arrhythmia can be caused by a disruption, damage, or compromise to the heart's valves, nodes, or chambers.
Symptoms of an arrhythmia can include heart flutters, palpitations, loss of exercise tolerance, shortness of breath, or fainting. However, some people with arrhythmias may not experience any symptoms.
Treatment for an arrhythmia depends on the type and severity. Some people may not need any treatment, while others may require medication, therapy, or procedures such as cardioversion or catheter ablation.
