Definition

• Heartbeats that are too slow (bradycardia)
• Heartbeats that are too fast (tachycardia)
• Extra beats
• Skipped beats
• Beats coming from abnormal areas of the heart

Causes

• The heart's natural pacemaker (sinoatrial node [SA node]) developing an abnormal rate or rhythm
• The normal conduction path being interrupted
• Another part of the heart taking over as pacemaker

Conduction Pathways of the Heart

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Risk Factors

• Lifestyle factors, such as excess caffeine, stress, smoking, alcohol abuse, drug abuse (eg, cocaine abuse)
• Certain medicines, such as diet pills, decongestants, and antidepressants
• Heart-related conditions, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), problems with heart valves, heart muscle damage after heart attack, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy
• Other conditions, such as anemia, high blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease, endocrine disorders (eg, thyroid or adrenal gland problems), typhoid fever, hypothermia, electric shock or lightening strike, near-drowning

Symptoms

• Fainting
• Dizziness, sensation of light-headedness
• Sensation of your heart fluttering (palpitations)
• Sensation of a missed or extra heart beat
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

Diagnosis

• Blood tests and urine tests
• Your doctor may need pictures of your heart. This can be done with:
  • Echocardiogram
  • Nuclear scanning
  • Coronary angiography
• Your doctor may need to record your heart functions. This can be done with:
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG)—records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle
  • 24-hour Holter monitor (a portable EKG that you wear as you do your daily activities)
  • Exercise stress test—ecords the heart's electrical activity during increased physical activity
  • Electrophysiological study—shows electrical impulses as they travel through the heart

Treatment

• Anti-arrhythmic medicines—These will help slow down or speed up your heart rate, or return your heart rhythm to normal.
• Cardioversion—These treatments involve placing paddles on the chest or back. An electrical current is passed through the chest wall to the heart. The current resets the heart's electrical circuits. It also tries to return the heart rhythm to normal.
• Automatic implantable defibrillator—A tiny defibrillator can be surgically implanted in your chest to monitor your heart rhythm. The device will automatically shock the heart if a dangerous arrhythmia happens. This may help return the heart rhythm to normal.
• Artificial pacemaker—The pacemaker is surgically implanted in your chest. It takes over the job of providing the electrical impulses needed to have a good heart rhythm.
• Ablation—An area of the heart that is responsible for an abnormal rhythm may be surgically removed or altered (ablated) with different techniques.
• Maze procedure and mini-maze procedure—The Maze procedure creates a pattern of scar tissue in the upper chambers of the heart. This makes a pathway for electrical impulses to travel through the heart. It also blocks the pathway for fast or irregular impulses. The Maze procedure may also be done as minimally invasive surgery (called mini-Maze).

Prevention

• Treat underlying conditions that might lead to arrhythmias.
• Avoid substances (eg, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and certain medicines) that trigger arrhythmia or make it worse.
• Follow general advice to prevent heart disease, including:
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Talk to your doctor about a safe exercise program.
  • Do not smoke. If you smoke, quit.
  • Eat a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
  • If you have a long-lasting medical condition, get proper treatment.
  • Ask your doctor if you should take cholesterol-lowering medicine.

Revision Information

• Reviewer: Michael J. Fucci, DO
• Review Date: 11/2012
• Update Date: 11/08/2012