An arrhythmia (also referred to as dysrhythmia) is an abnormal rhythm of the heart, which can cause the heart to pump less effectively. With an arrhythmia, the body may not receive the blood it needs, because the heart is beating either too fast or too slowly. A rapid heart beat means that the ventricles can’t fill with an adequate amount of blood, and a slow or irregular heart beat means that blood isn’t being pumped out to the body.

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Symptoms of arrhythmias include weakness, fatique, palpitations, low blood pressure, dizziness and fainting. The study of the heart's electrical system is know as cardiac electrophysiology. UAB physicians have vast experience and success in the diagnosis and treatment of complex arrhythmias. Examples of difficult arrhythmias are artial tachycardia, ventricular tachcardia, and atrial fibrillation. Arrhythmias can be diagnosed by an electrocardiogram, or EKG, and can be treated through lifestyle modification, medication, cardioversion, ablation, a pacemaker or surgery. However, many arrhythmias are not serious enough to require treatment.

There are several ways to treat cardiac arrhythmia:

• Medication
• Cardioversion
• Ablation
• Pacemaker
• Implantable Cardioverter Difibrillator
• Surgery

Read more about cardiac arrhythmia:

• Cardiac Arrhythmias – Hope and Help through Advanced Treatment at UAB
• Most Frequent Cardiac Arrhythmias: Diagnosis and Treatment
• Therapies for Atrial Fibrillation
• Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillators
  

Or, visit our Heart Health Library:

• Arrhythmias
• Pediatric Arrhythmias 
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) / Stress Test
• Holter Monitor
• Pacemakers

UAB Healthcast:

• Atrial Fibrillation
• UAB Cardiology expert discusses Atrial Fibrillation
• Ron Council: New Lease on Life
• Ron Council: ICD