Types of Arrhythmias

Sinus Arrest

A medical condition wherein the sinoatrial node of the heart transiently ceases to generate the electrical impulses that normally stimulate the myocardial tissues to contract and thus the heart to beat. It is defined as lasting from 2 seconds to several minutes. Since the heart contains multiple pacemakers, this interruption of the cardiac cycle generally lasts only a few seconds.

Sinus Tachycardia

Sinus tachycardia refers to a fast heartbeat (tachycardia) because of rapid firing of the sinoatrial (sinus) node. This occurs in response to exercise, exertion, excitement, pain, fever, excessive thyroid hormone, low blood oxygen (hypoxia), stimulant drugs (such as caffeine), etc.

Premature Beats

Skipped heartbeats, but usually harmless and very common. Usually caused by stress, exercise, caffeine, or nicotine.

Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)

A PVC may be perceived as a "skipped beat" or felt as palpitations in the chest. In a PVC, the ventricles contract first and before the atria have optimally filled the ventricles with blood, which means that circulation is inefficient. However, single beat PVC arrhythmias do not usually pose a danger and can be asymptomatic in healthy individuals.

Wandering Atrial Pacemaker

A wandering atrial pacemaker is an arrhythmia that occurs when the control of your heart's electrical impulses wanders from the SA node to the AV node. This shift can cause an irregularity in your heartbeat, but it may not. You may not ever notice when you have a wandering pacemaker.

Bradyarrhythmias

Bradyarrhythmias occur if the heart rate is slower than normal. If the heart rate is too slow, not enough blood reaches the brain. This can cause you to pass out. These can be caused by heart attacks, underactive thyroid, aging, certain medicines, and imbalances in the chemical composition of the blood.

First-Degree AV Block

First-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, or first-degree heart block, is defined as prolongation of the PR interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG) to more than 200 msec. Whereas conduction is slowed, there are no missed beats. In first-degree AV block, every atrial impulse is transmitted to the ventricles, resulting in a regular ventricular rate.

Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)

In AF, the heart's electrical signals don't begin in the SA node. Instead, they begin in another part of the atria or in the nearby pulmonary veins. This causes the atrium to pump too quickly, resulting in blood clots which can lead to stroke. Caused by many other heart diseases, heavy alcohol drinking, and an overactive thyroid.

Junctional Rhythm

Junctional rhythm describes an abnormal heart rhythm resulting from impulses coming from a locus of tissue in the area of the atrioventricular node, the "junction" between atria and ventricles.

Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PVST)

PSVT is a very fast heart rate that begins and ends suddenly. PSVT occurs because of problems with the electrical connection between the atria and the ventricles. In PSVT, electrical signals that begin in the atria and travel to the ventricles can reenter the atria, causing extra heartbeats. This type of arrhythmia usually isn't dangerous and tends to occur in young people. It can happen during vigorous physical activity.

Sinus Arrhythmia

The normal increase in heart rate that occurs during inspiration (when you breathe in). This is a natural response and is more accentuated in children than adults.

Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)

V-fib occurs if disorganized electrical signals make the ventricles quiver instead of pump normally. Without the ventricles pumping blood to the body, sudden cardiac arrest and death can occur within a few minutes. Torsades de pointes (torsades) is a type of v-fib that causes a unique pattern on an EKG test. Certain medicines or imbalanced amounts of potassium, calcium, or magnesium in the bloodstream can cause this condition.

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)

Ventricular tachycardia is a fast, regular beating of the ventricles that may last for only a few seconds or for much longer. A few beats of ventricular tachycardia often don't cause problems. However, episodes that last for more than a few seconds can be dangerous. Ventricular tachycardia can turn into other, more serious arrhythmias, such as v-fib.

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW)

WPW syndrome is a condition in which the heart's electrical signals travel along an extra pathway from the atria to the ventricles. This extra pathway disrupts the timing of the heart's electrical signals and can cause the ventricles to beat very fast. This type of arrhythmia can be life threatening. It's also a PVST.