Any of a variety of conditions in which there is a deviation from or disturbance of the normal heart rhythm which results in the heart pumping blood less effectively. Most cardiac arrhythmias are temporary and benign and are characterized by the heart skipping a beat or having an extra beat. Some arrhythmias are life-threatening and require treatment. There are two main types of arrhythmias: supraventricular arrhythmias which occur in the heart's two upper chambers (called the atrium) and ventricular arrhythmias which occur in the heart's two lower chambers (called the ventricles). Supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias are further defined by the speed of the heartbeats which may be very slow, very fast and fast uncoordinated. A very slow heart rate is called bradycardia. In bradycardia, the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute. A very fast heart rate is called tachycardia, meaning the heart beats faster than 100 beats per minute. A fast uncoordinated heart rate is called fibrillation, the most serious type of arrhythmia.
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