rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryarrhythmiaAbnormal heart rhythm
noun

arrhythmia

uh-RITH-mee-uh/əˈrɪðmiə/

An abnormal rhythm of the heartbeat.

The monitor records an arrhythmia while the clinician watches the tracing.

A clean ECG monitor showing an unmistakably irregularly spaced heartbeat trace beside a simple heart model, no text or alarming emergency.
Etymology
arGreeknot, without
+rhythmGreekmeasured flow, rhythm
+iaGreekstate or condition

Greek “not” plus “rhythm” gives the idea of being unrhythmical. In medicine, that disrupted regularity applies specifically to the timing or pattern of the heartbeat.

In context

Dr. Adam Barron MD3:36
An irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia can reduce how efficiently blood is pumped to your brain even if the blood pressure looks normal.
LIGHTHEADED or DIZZY, 10 Reasons– Doctor Explains

More examples

  • The report describes an intermittent arrhythmia.
  • The specialist compares several types of arrhythmia.
  • The test detected brief arrhythmias during the recording.

Forms

arrhythmia · arrhythmias

Similar words

palpitation
A sensation of heartbeat that need not reflect an abnormal rhythm.