Arrhythmias

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Atrioventricular block, EKG tracing	Bradycardia	Conduction system of the heart	Heart, front view
Heart, section through the middle	Normal heart rhythm	Ventricular tachycardia

Dysrhythmias; Abnormal heart rhythms; Bradycardia; Tachycardia 

• Fast or slow heart beat (palpitations)
• Skipping beats
• Fainting
• Light-headedness , dizziness
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Skipping beats - changes in the pattern of the pulse
• Paleness
• Sweating
• Cardiac arrest

The person may not have symptoms.

A doctor will listen to your heart with a stethoscope and feel your pulse. Your blood pressure may be low or normal.

The following tests may be performed to identify arrhythmias:

• ECG
• Ambulatory cardiac monitoring with a Holter monitor (used for 24 hours) or loop recorder (worn for 2 weeks or longer)
• Echocardiogram
• Electrophysiology study (EPS)
• Coronary angiography

If an arrhythmia is detected, various tests may be done to confirm or rule out suspected causes. EPS testing may be performed to locate the origin of the arrhythmia and determine the best treatment, especially if a pacemaker implantation or catheter ablation procedure is being considered.

Review Date: 11/06/2006
Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.