Cardiac Arrhythmia Management

Arrhythmia, also known as cardiac dysrhythmia, is any one of a group of conditions in which there is an irregularity of the electrical activity within the heart, resulting in a heartbeat that is either too fast, too slow, or that is irregular. Arrhythmia can develop at any age and is usually not life-threatening; however, in some cases it can lead to stroke, passing out, heart failure, and in the worst case, cardiac arrest.

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that usually presents the patient with heart palpitations, often remains undetected for years, and is sometimes the cause of strokes and heart failure.

Bradycardia, also known as a slow heart rate, is a common cause of fatigue, dizziness with exertion, and even passing out.

Medication

Many rhythmic disorders respond very well to medication, with several drugs already available and others currently in development. While medications can rarely truly cure cardiac arrhythmias, they usually improve symptoms by preventing future episodes from starting or shortening their duration and/or intensity.