arrhythmia

[ uh-rith-mee-uh, ey-rith- ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. any disturbance in the rhythm of the heartbeat.

arrhythmia

/ əˈrɪðmɪə /

noun

1. any variation from the normal rhythm in the heartbeat

arrhythmia

/ ə-rĭth′mē-ə /

1. An abnormal rhythm of the heart, often detectable on an electrocardiogram. Electrical impulses in the heart normally originate in the sinoatrial node of the right atrium during diastole and are transmitted through the atrioventricular node to the ventricles, causing the muscle contraction that usually occurs during systole. However, abnormalities of electrical conduction during diastole or systole can result in various alterations of the heartbeat, such as changes in heart rate, skipped or irregular beats, and fibrillation of the heart muscle, which can be life threatening. These electrical disturbances can be caused by metabolic abnormalities, inadequate blood supply (as in coronary artery disease), drug effects, chronic disease, and other factors. Arrhythmias are sometimes treated with the implantation of a pacemaker.

Other Words From

• arrhyth·mic [uh, -, rith, -mik, ey-, rith, -], ar·rhythmi·cal adjective
• ar·rhythmi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of arrhythmia¹

1885–90; < New Latin < Greek arrhythmía. See a- ⁶, rhythm, -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of arrhythmia¹

C19: New Latin, from Greek arrhuthmia, from a- ¹+ rhuthmos rhythm

Example Sentences

“Oftentimes we see patients have no other risk factors other than the fact that they showed up and have this arrhythmia,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Her immediate cause of death was listed as cardiac arrhythmia, a disorder in which, according to the Mayo Clinic, the electrical impulses in the heart malfunction and cause an abnormal heartbeat.

From Los Angeles Times

Men with the heart failure may be more at risk of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

From Science Daily

He hoped doing so might help him improve treatments for cardiac arrhythmias — aberrant rhythms of the heart — that can prove dangerous and even deadly.

From Los Angeles Times

Ferrari’s report disputed the severity of that episode, contending the arrhythmia could not have triggered agony for more than “a few minutes or at most a few hours.”

From Seattle Times