What are the different types of arrhythmia?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:If everyone is doing a choreographed dance routine and you're out of step, then you can understand what an arrhythmia is. When it comes to your heart being out of sync, an arrhythmia can mean that the heart beats too fast, too slow, or it beats erratically. Some arrhythmias are benign (won't cause you harm), while others are life-threatening.
Here are some different types of arrhythmias:
• Atrial fibrillation, in which the atria or top part of the heart quivers;
• Bradycardia, in which the heart beats too slowly;
• Tachycardia, in which the heart beats too fast;
• Premature contractions, in which the heart beats too early in its cycle;
• Ventricular tachycardia, in which the ventricles beat too quickly (this is life-threatening, so your doctor will want to control this);
• Ventricular fibrillation, in which the entire heart fibrillates or quivers. This is life-threatening and you will die unless your heart can get an electrical shock right away to reset it.
If everyone is doing a choreographed dance routine and you're out of step, then you can understand what an arrhythmia is. When it comes to your heart being out of sync, an arrhythmia can mean that the heart beats too fast, too slow, or it beats... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:"Cardiac arrhythmia" is the overarching name given to various conditions that cause a disturbance to the heart's normal rhythm.There are many different types of cardiac arrhythmias. The heart may beat too rapidly (known as atrial tachycardia), or too slowly (known as bradycardia), or it may beat irregularly. Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are common cardiac arrhythmias, which lead to an irregular and sometimes rapid heart rate.
These atrial arrhythmias may interfere with the heart's ability to pump blood properly from its upper chambers (atria). The atria may not always empty completely, and blood remaining there too long may stagnate and potentially clot. Such clots may travel to other parts of the body, where they may cause blockages in the blood supply to the limbs, brain or heart.
In ventricular fibrillation, the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles) quiver feebly instead of contracting powerfully. This is the most severe type of arrhythmia, causing death in minutes unless medical assistance is obtained immediately.
"Cardiac arrhythmia" is the overarching name given to various conditions that cause a disturbance to the heart's normal rhythm. There are many different types of cardiac arrhythmias. The heart may beat too rapidly (known as atrial... More -
NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:Arrhythmia is the abnormal beating of your heart. Arrhythmias are classified by where the condition originates and whether the heart beats faster or slower than normal. Supraventricular Tachycardia is rapid beating that originates in the upper chambers of the heart. It is the most common arrhythmia in young adults, and most cases are curable with ablation. Ventricular Tachycardia is rapid beating that originates in the heart's lower chambers and is often caused by heart disease. This serious condition can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and requires immediate treatment. Sinus Node Dysfunction is caused by damage to the heart's natural pacemaker, causing the heart to beat slowly and not increase correctly during exercise. Complete Atrioventricular (Heart) Block occurs when the electrical signal necessary for heart beat to occur does not move properly from the upper to lower chambers. Sinus Node Dysfunction and Heart Block are both treated with a pacemaker.
Arrhythmia is the abnormal beating of your heart. Arrhythmias are classified by where the condition originates and whether the heart beats faster or slower than normal. Supraventricular Tachycardia is rapid beating that originates in the upper... More -
Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:There are two main categories of arrhythmias. Those that begin in the atria, or upper chambers of the heart, are called supraventricular arrhythmias. These include atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, sick sinus syndrome, and sinus tachycardia. Arrhythmias that begin in the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart, are called ventricular arrhythmias. These include ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and long QT syndrome.There are two main categories of arrhythmias. Those that begin in the atria, or upper chambers of the heart, are called supraventricular arrhythmias. These include atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, sick sinus syndrome, and sinus tachycardia.... More -
Dr. Douglas Severance answered:There are different types of arrhythmias. Experts classify arrhythmias by how fast or slow the heart rate is and by the place of origin of the arrhythmia. For instance, a very slow heartbeat, or one that's under 60 beats per minute at rest, is called bradycardia. A rapid heart rate that is higher than 100 beats per minute at rest is referred to as tachycardia. If you have tachycardia or bradycardia, that does not mean you have heart disease. Your doctor can check your heart using medical tests to make sure everything is normal. Some healthy individuals experience a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) during intense exercise. The heartbeat speeds up and sends oxygenated blood to all of the body's tissues.There are different types of arrhythmias. Experts classify arrhythmias by how fast or slow the heart rate is and by the place of origin of the arrhythmia. For instance, a very slow heartbeat, or one that's under 60 beats per minute at rest,... More -
Dr. Imran Niazi of Aurora Health Care answered:The term arrhythmia means "lack of rhythm," and refers specifically to the heart rhythm, which is normally very regular.
The heart rhythm can become irregular due to extra beats (PVCs or premature ventricular contractions, previously called "extra systoles"). They are generally benign. The heart can beat too rapidly (tachycardia) or too slowly (bradycardia). It can even stop (asystole), generally with disastrous consequences.
Each arrhythmia has its own risks, and specific treatment is available for all of them. If the heart beats too slow, or tends to stop, it is treated with a pacemaker. If the heart beats too fast and causes unconsciousness due to inadequate blood supply to the brain, it is generally treated with a defibrillator. A heart that beats too rapidly can lead to cardiac arrest, a highly lethal condition that occurs in almost 350,000 people annually in the U.S.
Sometimes, the heart beats fast AND irregular; this is called atrial fibrillation, and is a very common arrhythmia. While not usually lethal, it can lead to stroke, so treatment is necessary.
Contact your doctor if you have very rapid heartbeat, fainting spells or simply a very irregular pulse. A diagnosis usually can be quickly made and treatment started.
The term arrhythmia means "lack of rhythm," and refers specifically to the heart rhythm, which is normally very regular. The heart rhythm can become irregular due to extra beats (PVCs or premature ventricular contractions, previously called "extra... More -
Dr. Vivek Reddy of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:Arrhythmias cause a variety of problems that range from mild to severe:
- Premature heartbeats
- Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter
- Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- Ventricular tachycardia
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Bradycardia
Arrhythmias cause a variety of problems that range from mild to severe: Premature heartbeats Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome Ventricular tachycardia Ventricular... More
