Also called: Also called: Irregular heartbeat
Has your heart ever skipped a beat? Sometimes it really does if you have an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is any disorder of your heart rate or rhythm. It means that your heart beats too quickly, too slowly or with an irregular pattern. When the heart beats faster than normal, it is called tachycardia. When the heart beats too slowly, it is called bradycardia.
Many factors can affect your heart's rhythm, such as having had a heart attack, blood chemistry imbalances or abnormal hormone levels. Some substances or medicines may also cause arrhythmias.
Symptoms of arrhythmias include
- Fast or slow heart beat
- Skipping beats
- Lightheadedness, dizziness
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Paleness
- Sweating
Your doctor can run tests to find out if you have an arrhythmia. Treatment to restore a normal heart rhythm may include medicines, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or a pacemaker.
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Arrhythmia
(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/arr/arr_whatis.html
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Arrhythmia: A Problem with Your Heartbeat(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/286.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/articles/286.printerview.html
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Arrhythmias
(Patient Education Institute) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/arrhythmias/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/arrhythmiasspanish/htm/index.htm
- Heart Arrhythmias(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/heart-arrhythmias/DS00290/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
- Irregular Heartbeat during Angioplasty Could Raise Death Risk(05/05/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83838.html
- Larger Men at Greater Risk for Atrial Fibrillation(04/08/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_82694.html
- Plavix Plus Aspirin Lowers Stroke Risk(03/31/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_82366.html
- More News on Arrhythmia http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_a.html#arrhythmia
- Causes and Symptoms of Arrhythmias(American Heart Association) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=15
- Diagnosing Arrhythmias(American Heart Association) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3
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Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ekg/ekg_what.html
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Electrophysiology (EP) Study(Heart Rhythm Society) - http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/heart_tests/electrophysiology_study.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/espanol/spanish_epstudy.pdf
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Holter and Event Monitors(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/holt/holt_what.html
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Rapid Heartbeat(Heart Rhythm Society) - http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/signs_symptoms/too_fast.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/espanol/spanish_rapidhrtbeat.pdf
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Slow Heartbeat(Heart Rhythm Society) - http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/signs_symptoms/too_slow.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/espanol/spanish_slowheartbeat.pdf
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Syncope(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/syncope/syncope.htm
- Tilt Table Test (HUT Head Up Tilt)(Heart Rhythm Society) - http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/heart_tests/tilt_table.asp
- What Are Electrophysiologic Tests?(American Heart Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1196280772096Electrophysiologic_Tests.pdf
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Antiarrhythmics(Texas Heart Institute) - http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Topics/Meds/antiarrh.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Topics_Esp/Meds/antia_sp.cfm
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Calcium Channel Blockers(Consumers Union of U.S.) - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/calcium_blockers.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/2pager_SpanishCCBs.pdf
- Cardioversion(Heart Rhythm Society) - http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/treatments/cardioversion.asp
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Catheter Ablation(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ablation/ablation_whatis.html
- Emergency Treatment for Sudden Cardiac Arrest(American Heart Association) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=30
- Treatments for Arrhythmia(Heart Rhythm Society) - http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/treatments/default.asp
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Risk Factors and Prevention(Heart Rhythm Society) - http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/risk_factors/default.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/espanol/spanish_riskfactors_final.pdf
- Living with Arrhythmias(American Heart Association) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=35
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Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia: What You Should Know(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/886.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/articles/886.printerview.html
- Atrial Flutter(American Heart Association) - http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/22/e334
- Bradycardia(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/bradycardia/DS00947/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Brugada Syndrome(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/brugada-syndrome/AN00551/METHOD=print
- Bundle Branch Block(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/bundle-branch-block/DS00693/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
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Bundle Branch Block(Texas Heart Institute) - http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Topics/Cond/bbblock.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Topics_Esp/Cond/bbblo_sp.cfm
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Heart Block(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/hb/hb_whatis.html
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Long QT Syndrome(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/qt/qt_whatis.html
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Palpitations(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/hpl/hpl_what.html
- Postural Tachycardia Syndrome(American Heart Association) - http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/118/3/e61
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Postural Tachycardia Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/postural_tachycardia_syndrome/postural_tachycardia_syndrome.htm
- Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/premature-ventricular-contractions/DS00949/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Sick Sinus Syndrome(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/sick-sinus-syndrome/DS00930/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
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Sudden Cardiac Arrest(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/scda/scda_whatis.html
- Tachycardia(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/tachycardia/DS00929/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Ventricular Fibrillation(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/print/sec03/ch027/ch027h.html
- Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome/DS00923/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Programs: Questions and Answers(American Heart Association) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3011859
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JAMA Patient Page: Automated External Defibrillators(American Medical Association) - http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/296/6/724.pdf
Also available in Spanish http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/data/296/6/724/DC1/1
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Substances That Can Cause Heart Rhythm Disorders(Heart Rhythm Society) - http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/substances/default.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/espanol/spanish_substances_final.pdf
- Sudden Death in Young People--Heart Problems Often Blamed(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/sudden-death/HB00092/METHOD=print
- Palpitations(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/palpitations/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
- Rapid Pulse(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/rapid-pulse/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
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Arrhythmias(Patient Education Institute) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/arrhythmias/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/arrhythmiasspanish/htm/index.htm
- CryoMaze Procedure, a Surgical Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation(OR-Live) - One hour program - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM/rnh.cfm?id=256
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Electrophysiological Study and Catheter Ablation with 3D Mapping(OR-Live) - One hour program - 11/15/2007 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/nlm-flash/meh_1790/rnh.cfm?id=660
Also available in Spanish http://www.or-live.com/distributors/nlm-flash/meh_2200/rnh.cfm?id=661
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Hybrid Maze Procedure(OR-Live) - One hour program - 4/09/2008 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/nlm-flash/nom_2256/rnh.cfm?id=714
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If I Had - Atrial Fibrillation(Insidermedicine) - http://www.insidermedicine.com/archives/If_I_Had_Atrial_Fibrillation_Dr_John_L_Sapp_MD_FRCPC_Dalhousie_University_3185.aspx?p=mdlnp
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Minimally Invasive Atrial Fibrillation Treatment(OR-Live) - One hour program - 3/15/2007 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM/rnh.cfm?id=425
Also available in Spanish http://www.or-live.com/distributors/nlm-Spanish/atr_1821/rnh_sp.cfm
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Paracardioscopic Ex-Maze(OR-Live) - One hour program - 6/09/2008 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/nlm-flash/fih_2379/rnh.cfm?id=738
- Pediatric Cardiac Cryoablation(OR-Live) - One hour program - 3/22/2006 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM/rnh.cfm?id=257
- Totally Thoracoscopic Epicardial Radiofrequency Ablation(OR-Live) - one hour program - 7/24/2007 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM-Flash/atr_1822/rnh.cfm?id=610
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Heart Anatomy(Texas Heart Institute) - http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Anatomy/anatomy2.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Anatomy_Esp/anato_sp.cfm
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Heartbeat(Texas Heart Institute) - http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Anatomy/systole.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Anatomy_Esp/systole_sp.cfm
- Health Insurance Tips & Resources(Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Foundation) - http://www.sads.org/index.php/General/Health-Insurance.html
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Arrhythmias, Cardiac(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Arrhythmias,+Cardiac%22
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Bradycardia(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Bradycardia%22
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Tachycardia(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Tachycardia%22
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Atrial Fibrillation(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Atrial+Fibrillation%22
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Genetics Home Reference: Andersen-Tawil syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=andersentawilsyndrome
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Genetics Home Reference: Brugada syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=brugadasyndrome
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Genetics Home Reference: Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=jervellandlangenielsensyndrome
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Genetics Home Reference: Romano-Ward syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=romanowardsyndrome
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Genetics Home Reference: Short QT syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=shortqtsyndrome
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Genetics Home Reference: Timothy syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=timothysyndrome
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Genetics Home Reference: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=wolffparkinsonwhitesyndrome
- Implantable Defibrillators Lower Risk of Death in Older Heart Patients(American Heart Association) - http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=633
- Leisure-Time Activities Help Protect Seniors from Irregular Heart Rhythms(American Heart Association) - http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=483
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Type of Exercise-Induced Arrhythmia on Exercise Test and Risk for Death(American College of Physicians) - Links to PDF - http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/149/7/I-22.pdf
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Troponin I rise after pacemaker implantation at the time of... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19361590&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: High potassium. Too much of a good thing. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19360981&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Myocarditis. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19357408&tool=MedlinePlus
- Arrhythmia -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=arrhythmia[mh:noexp]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Cardiac Glossary(American Heart Association) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3038158
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Cardiovascular Glossary(Texas Heart Institute) - http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Gloss/
Also available in Spanish http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Gloss_Esp/Glossary_sp.cfm
- American Heart Association - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000
- Heart Rhythm Society - http://www.hrspatients.org/
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
- Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Foundation - http://www.sads.org/
- Arrhythmias(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/heart/arrhythmias.html
- Children and Arrhythmia(American Heart Association) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2
- Tilt Table Evaluation(Children's Hospital Boston) - http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site517/mainpageS517P0.html
- Arrhythmias(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/heart/arrhythmias.html
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Management: Why Women Are Different from Men(Women's Heart Foundation) - http://www.womensheart.org/content/HeartDisease/cardiac_arrhythmias.asp
- Heart Rhythm Problems(Cardiovascular Research Foundation) - http://www.hearthealthywomen.org/?view=article&id=75&Itemid=1&option=com_content
- Atrial Fibrillation - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/atrialfibrillation.html
- Pacemakers and Implantable Defibrillators - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pacemakersandimplantabledefibrillators.html
- Blood, Heart and Circulation - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bloodheartandcirculation.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Arrhythmia is the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
Arrhythmia - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/arrhythmia.html