Heart arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)

Description An abnormal heart r...

Description

An abnormal heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia (also called dysrhythmia). A normal heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Arrhythmias can occur with a normal heart rate, slow rates (bradycardia - less than 60 beats per minute), or rapid rates (tachycardia - faster than 100 beats per minute). This disorder occurs when the normal electrical impulses that control the rate and frequency of the heart beats are disrupted. The most common causes are heart attacks, blood chemistry abnormalities (i.e. high potassium), congestive heart failure, medication reactions, viral infections of the heart (myocarditis), weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), thickened heart muscle (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), thyroid disease, congenital heart disorders, and drug abuse.

Symptoms

Palpitations, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, sudden death.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Additional tests include: blood tests, cardiac monitoring, and an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart). Depending on the symptoms, this evaluation may occur during a hospitalization and directed by a cardiologist.

Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Electrocardiogram (EKG), Troponin, Urinalysis (UA), X-ray

Specialists:
Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology

Treatment

Identifying the type and cause of the arrhythmia determines the therapy. Treatment may include: antiarrhythmic medications, correction of body chemistry abnormalities, cessation of certain medications, application of electrical current to the chest (cardioversion) or within the heart (ablation) and/or placement of a pacemaker.