Arrhythmia is when the heartbeat is irregular, too fast, or too slow
Some types of arrhythmias have no symptoms
most types of arrhythmia are not serious
Classified by rate
Classified by mechanism (automaticity, re-entry, triggered)
Classified by duration
Classified by origin location
Tachycardia This fast heart rhythm causes a heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute.
Bradycardia This slow heart rhythm causes a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute.
Premature heartbeat A premature, or extra, beat is a common, usually harmless type of arrhythmia that typically does not cause symptoms.
Supraventricular arrhythmias These arrhythmias are tachycardias that occur in the atria or the atrioventricular (AV) node, specialized tissue that conducts electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles.
Ventricular arrhythmias Tachycardias that begin in the lower chambers of the heart can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
Palpitations aware of abnormal heart beat
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) starts from atria or atriaventricular node
generally due to one of two mechanisms: re-entry or increased automaticity
SVT episodes can last from a few minutes to one or two days, sometimes persisting until treated
The rapid heart rate reduces the opportunity for the "pump" to fill between beats decreasing cardiac output and as a consequence blood pressure.
Premature ventricular contractions are are beats that originate in the ventricles
Premature ventricular contractions electrical signals start in the ventricles
Ventricular tachycardia is diagnosed with an ECG
