Arrhythmias and Defibrillation
Types of arrhythmia
There are two basic types of arrhythmia, with variations of each:
Bradycardia - a heart rate that is too slow, usually less than 60 beats per minute
Tachycardia - a heart rate that is too fast, usually more than 100 beats per minute
- Ths is the most common, serious, abnormal heart rhythm involving rapid and irregular activity in the chambers of the heart
- Although it may affect young people, it becomes more common with increasing age, and typically affects older patients of 65 and over. It affects men and women equally
- Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of stroke. The overall incidence of stroke is approximately 5% per year in people with atrial fibrillation
- It is the most common cause of hospital admissions for arrhythmias
- These are heart beats which occur earlier than normal within the normal heart cycle
- Ectopic beats can come from either the atria (the two top chambers of the heart) or the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart)
- They can sometimes cause palpitations described as missed or extra beats
- Ectopic beats are not normally dangerous and don’t damage the heart
- Occurs due to the atria beating very rapidly as electricity circulates around this chamber and is commonly seen in middle aged and elderly patients
- It can occur in those with no other heart problem but also is seen in patients with some form of structural heart disease or who suffer from atrial fibrillation
- A fairly uncommon arrhythmia but results in the heart beating far more rapidly than normal
- It is often seen in diseased hearts, although it also occurs in patients with otherwise normal hearts
- Supraventicular tachycardia is a rapid abnormal heart rhythm that begins in the upper chambers of the heart, the atria
- Symptoms include palpitations, light headedness, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness
- In general the majority of supraventricular tachycardias are not a life-threatening condition. Nonetheless, if any of these symptoms develop, immediate medical attention should be sought
- Most supra-ventricular tachycardias will recur and can be safely and very effectively treated by a procedure called catheter ablation
- A fast rhythm originating in the bottom chambers of the heart (the ventricles) which leads heart to beat so rapidly that it cannot fill and pump out enough blood adequately
- Although it can occur in patients with an otherwise normal heart, it is more commonly seen in patients with heart disease, such as those who have suffered a previous heart attack or have a cardiomyopathy. In these sort of settings, they may be life-threatening and proper assessment and treatment is essential