What is arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is a term used to describe any abnormality with the speed or rhythm of a person’s heartbeat. Many arrhythmias can be harmless but some can be life-threatening. The heart has a complex electrical system that sends signals to the other parts of the heart. If there is a problem with the electrical system it can cause a person’s heart to simply “skip a beat�? or cause major disruption to the finely-tuned functioning of a person’s heart.

Causes

There are several possible causes for arrhythmia. They can be caused by underlying heart conditions or a previous heart attack that has damaged the heart’s electrical system. Excessive caffeine, stress, smoking, heavy alcohol / drug use may cause or aggravate an arrhythmia. In some cases, the cause for the arrhythmia is not known.

Diagnosis

Arrhythmias can be diagnosed by a cardiologist using one or more of the following tests:

• Electrocardiogram – Also known as an EKG or ECG, an electrocardiogram records a person’s electrical heart pattern while at rest.
• Holter Monitor and Event ECG Monitor – These are portable, easy to use devices that record a person’s heart rhythm.  A Holter monitor is for 24-48 hours, while an Event ECG monitor is used for a longer period of time, typically for patients whose arrhythmia occurs intermittently.
• Electrophysiology Study – During an electrophysiology study, electrode wires are placed through blood vessels directly into the person’s heart to create an electrical “map�? of a person’s heart.
• Tilt Table Testing – For this test, the patient lies on a table that can be “tilted�? to an upright position. The person’s heart rate and blood pressure are monitored closely to determine if there are any abnormalities in heart rate or blood pressure with changing body position. People who have been experiencing light-headedness or fainting spells sometimes undergo a tilt table test.
• Echocardiogram – An echocardiogram uses sound waves to detect any abnormalities in a person’s heart structure or heart muscle which may be leading to arrhythmias.

Treatment

Arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, can usually be treated with medicines, special procedures, and/or surgery. Medicines are used to slow a rapid heart rate and to help prevent blood clots from forming in the heart.

One procedure used to help restore a heart’s normal rhythm is called electrical cardioversion. During this procedure, the heart is given a brief shock to convert the abnormal rhythm back to a normal rhythm.

In some cases, a person may need more invasive procedures such as catheter ablation or a pacemaker device. Catheter ablation is used to destroy the harmful cells that can cause irregular rhythms. A pacemaker is a device implanted into a person’s chest that keeps the electrical signals beating at the normal speed.