Definition

1. Noun:
   • An abnormal rate of muscle contractions in the heart: A medical condition where the heartbeat is irregular, too fast (tachycardia), or too slow (bradycardia). It refers to a problem with the rhythm or rate of the heart's pumping action.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The patient was hospitalized after experiencing a severe cardiac arrhythmia.
  • An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to diagnose different types of cardiac arrhythmia.
  • Some people live with a mild cardiac arrhythmia without any symptoms.

Advanced Usage

• "to manage a cardiac arrhythmia": To treat and control the condition, often with medication or medical devices.
  • His doctor prescribed beta-blockers to manage his cardiac arrhythmia.
• "symptomatic cardiac arrhythmia": An arrhythmia that causes noticeable symptoms like dizziness or palpitations.
  • The treatment plan is different for a symptomatic cardiac arrhythmia.

Variants and Related Words

• Arrhythmia (n): The more general, shortened form of the term.
  • The test results confirmed an arrhythmia.
• Dysrhythmia (n): A synonym sometimes used in medical contexts.
• Atrial fibrillation (n): A common, specific type of cardiac arrhythmia where the heart's upper chambers beat irregularly.
• Ventricular tachycardia (n): A serious type of cardiac arrhythmia originating in the heart's lower chambers.

Synonyms

• Irregular heartbeat: A less technical term describing the condition.
• Heart rhythm disorder: A descriptive synonym.

Related Phrases

• Cardiac arrhythmia detection: The process of identifying the irregular rhythm.
  • Modern smartwatches often feature cardiac arrhythmia detection.
• Cardiac arrhythmia episode: A specific instance or occurrence of the irregular rhythm.
  • She felt weak during the cardiac arrhythmia episode.

Notes

• Cardiac arrhythmia is a formal medical term. In everyday conversation, people might simply say "irregular heartbeat" or "heart rhythm problem."
• It is a condition, not a single event; one can a cardiac arrhythmia or an episode of arrhythmia.

Noun

1. an abnormal rate of muscle contractions in the heart