What is the medical term for cardiac arrhythmia?

The medical term for cardiac arrhythmia is dysrhythmia. Cardiac dysrhythmias are defined as abnormal heart rhythms. They can range in severity from slight and harmless to life-threatening. Some common cardiac dysrhythmias include:

- Sinus arrhythmia: This is a normal variation in heart rate that is caused by the normal breathing cycle.

- Atrial fibrillation: This is the most common type of cardiac dysrhythmia. It occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) contract irregularly and too quickly.

- Ventricular fibrillation: This is a very dangerous cardiac dysrhythmia that can cause sudden death. It occurs when the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) contract irregularly and too quickly.

- Atrioventricular block: This is a cardiac dysrhythmia that occurs when the electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles are blocked.

- Supraventricular tachycardia: This is a cardiac dysrhythmia that occurs when the heart rate increases above 100 beats per minute.

- Ventricular tachycardia: This is a cardiac dysrhythmia that occurs when the heart rate increases above 100 beats per minute and originates in the ventricles.