Dysrhythmia: Understanding Cardiac Arrhythmias & Heart Rhythms

The medical term for cardiac arrhythmia is dysrhythmia. Cardiac dysrhythmias are defined as abnormal heart rhythms. They can range in severity from slight and harmless to life-threatening. Some common cardiac dysrhythmias include:

- Sinus arrhythmia: This is a normal variation in heart rate that is caused by the normal breathing cycle.

- Atrial fibrillation: This is the most common type of cardiac dysrhythmia. It occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) contract irregularly and too quickly.

- Ventricular fibrillation: This is a very dangerous cardiac dysrhythmia that can cause sudden death. It occurs when the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) contract irregularly and too quickly.

- Atrioventricular block: This is a cardiac dysrhythmia that occurs when the electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles are blocked.

- Supraventricular tachycardia: This is a cardiac dysrhythmia that occurs when the heart rate increases above 100 beats per minute.

- Ventricular tachycardia: This is a cardiac dysrhythmia that occurs when the heart rate increases above 100 beats per minute and originates in the ventricles.