Cardiac arrhythmias are changes to the natural rhythm of the heart. They can be medically insignificant or rapidly fatal. Cardiac arrhythmia becomes more common as people get older. There are medicines to treat it, but not all of them are well tolerated. Further compounds are being studied to help people who develop this condition.
Disease: Cardiac arrhythmia
Last update: June 2008
Intro
FAQ: What is it?
Arrhythmias are disturbances to the natural rhythm of the heart. Arrhythmia means 'lack of rhythm'. The heart may speed up, or slow down. Extra beats may occur, or some beats may be missing. Some arrhythmias are of little medical significance. Others may be rapidly fatal if not treated at once.