arrhythmier

Arrhythmier is a collective term for disorders of heart rhythm, defined by abnormal heart rate or rhythm due to disturbances in the electrical impulses coordinating the heart's pumping action. Arrhythmier can be harmless or life‑threatening and may occur in people with normal hearts or with structural heart disease or other illnesses.

Common categories are tachyarrhythmias (too fast) and bradyarrhythmias (too slow), as well as irregular rhythms such as atrial fibrillation. Tachyarrhythmias include atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia and various supraventricular tachycardias; bradyarrhythmias include sinus node dysfunction and AV block.

Causes are diverse: ischemic or structural heart disease, cardiomyopathy, electrolyte disturbances, thyroid disorders, medications, congenital conduction disorders, autonomic imbalance, and postsurgical changes. Risk factors include age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity and family history of inherited arrhythmia syndromes such as Long QT or Brugada.

Symptoms range from palpitations, dizziness or syncope to chest pain or heart failure symptoms. Complications depend on the type and may include stroke (especially with atrial fibrillation), heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.

Diagnosis relies on ECG recording, including ambulatory monitoring (Holter or event monitors), imaging to assess structure and function, and, in selected cases, electrophysiological testing.

Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and reduce risk. Options include lifestyle modification, rate control (beta‑blockers, calcium channel blockers), rhythm control (antiarrhythmic drugs, electrical cardioversion, catheter ablation), and devices such as pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Anticoagulation is used to prevent stroke in selected patients with atrial fibrillation.

Prognosis varies with the underlying disease and the specific arrhythmia. Regular follow‑up and management of risk factors are essential for prevention of complications.