What is an arrhythmia?

Irregular heart beat.: An arrhythmia is an irregularity of heart rhythm. There are many forms of arrhythmias, some arising from the upper chambers of the heart (atria) and some from the lower chambers (ventricles). In general, most of the atrial arrhythmias are benign and most of the ventricular arrhythmias are problematic. Your cardiologist usually treats the arrhythmias or may refer you to an electrophysiologist.

Increase, decreasehr: An arrhythmia (ah-rith-me-ah) is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.

Nonspecific term: Simply refers to an irregular heart rhythm. That can even include a sinus arrhythmia, which is simply a pronounced variation in the heart rate with breathing, but we usually use it to describe pathological rhythms--potentially dangerous uncontrolled rhythms. These may be fast or slow or markedly irregular, so this term is not nearly as useful as the specific diagnosis--e.g., afib, vtach or svt.

Arrhythmia: Any one can have an arrhythmia, most people don't. Do you have a specific concern?