Millions of people experience irregular heartbeats at some point in their lives.
Most of these episodes, called arrhythmias, are harmless and happen in healthy people
free of heart disease. Sometimes, however, rhythm disturbances can be serious or even fatal.
Other heart diseases can be dangerous in thier own right and can increase the likelihood of arrhythmias.
Disease Categories
Electrical
Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are caused by system that regulates the steady,
rhythmic beat of the heart. The heartbeat may be too slow or too fast; it may remain steady or become chaotic. Some arrhythmias are dangerous and cause sudden cardiac arrest, while others may be bothersome but are not life threatening.
Circulatory
High blood pressure and coronary artery disease are
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In coronary artery disease, plaque clogs the blood vessels that supply the heart.
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the main culprits in blood vessel disorders. The results, such as stroke or heart attack, can be devastating. Fortunately, many treatment options exist today.
Structural
Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) and congenital abnormalities are two problems that can damage the heart muscle or valves.
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