Arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. Many abnormal rhythms occur with natural aging. People feel occasional skipped beats, feel their heart slowing down, or feel their heart racing. Some abnormal heart rhythms can cause a person to feel dizzy or light-headed, become short of breath, have chest pain, or pass out. Further evaluation by a medical provider, generally in an emergency room, is necessary if the symptoms are severe. This type of heart disease is diagnosed with an EKG or wearable heart monitor.
Some arrhythmias, such as Atrial Fibrillation, are managed with blood thinners (to prevent stroke) and heart rate lowering medications. Cardiac Arrest is often caused by the arrhythmias Ventricular Tachycardia or Ventricular Fibrillation, which can be terminated by AEDs located in emergency rooms and many public places. Other types of arrhythmia include slow heart rate, bradycardia, which may require a pacemaker.