Word parts
What it means
Any change from the heart's normal, regular rhythm, caused by a problem with the heart's electrical signals. Some are harmless; others, such as ventricular fibrillationven-TRIK-yuh-ler fib-ruh-LAY-shunA heart rhythm in which the lower chambers quiver in a fast, chaotic way instead of pumping.ventricul/o ventricle-ar relating tofibrill small fiber, twitching-ation processFull entry , stop the heart from pumping. atrial fibrillationAY-tree-ul fib-rih-LAY-shunAn irregular heart rhythm in which the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of beating in an organized way.atri/o atrium (upper heart chamber)fibrill/o small fibers, quivering-ation processFull entry is the most common. The client may feel palpitationpal-pih-TAY-shunThe feeling of your own heartbeat as pounding, racing, fluttering or skipping.Full entry , dizziness or shortness of breath, or nothing at all. It means the same as dysrhythmiadis-RITH-mee-uhA heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.dys- abnormalrhythm/o rhythm-ia conditionFull entry , the word many nursing textbooks prefer.
For the nurse
Check the apical pulse for a full minute and look at the monitor or an electrocardiogramih-lek-troh-KAR-dee-oh-gramA test that records the heart's electrical activity as waves on paper or a screen.electr/o electricitycardi/o heart-gram recordFull entry . Check the client first: level of consciousness, blood pressure and breathing. Electrolyte problems, especially potassiumpuh-TAS-ee-umA mineral in the blood that nerves and muscles, including the heart, need in order to work.Full entry , are a common and fixable cause.
In a chart
"New irregular rhythm on monitor, HR 130s; 12-lead ECG obtained."
At a glance
| Spanish | arritmia |
|---|---|
| Also written | arrhythmias, arrhythmic, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrhythmias |
Related terms
electrocardiogram
A test that records the heart's electrical activity as waves on paper or a screen.
atrial fibrillation
An irregular heart rhythm in which the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of beating in an organized way.
ventricular tachycardia
A fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles), usually over 100 beats per minute.
palpitation
The feeling of your own heartbeat as pounding, racing, fluttering or skipping.
dysrhythmia
A heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.