Arrhythmias are disturbances in the normal rhythmic beating of the heart, causing it to beat too slow (bradycardia) or too fast (tachycardia). These disorders are caused by a problem with the heart’s electrical system—involving transmission of electrical signals through the heart muscle via specialized networks which stimulate the heart to squeeze and relax. Although sometimes arrhythmias occur in a healthy heart and have minimal consequences, they often indicate a serious problem (such as an underlying heart disease) which can result in more serious complications such as stroke or sudden cardiac death. Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death in the United States.
Luckily, technological advances and improved understanding of what underlies arrhythmias have lead to dramatic advances in the detection and treatment of all types of cardiac rhythm disturbances. The Brigham and Women’s Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at the new Shapiro Cardiovascular Center provides patients with leading-edge, state-of-the-art, full service care. We use the most advanced equipment and techniques to provide referring physicians with timely, accurate diagnosis and therapies.
Overview of Arrhythmias
There are various types of arrhythmias which range from benign to those that are of more concern and can have serious clinical consequences. Some are inherited while others result from different causes discussed below. The most common is atrial fibrillation (AF), that affects nearly two million Americans. When AF occurs, the upper chambers of the heart (atria) quiver rapidly and irregularly. AF is typically not life-threatening, but can cause significant quality of life concerns.
A more worrisome arrhythmia that can lead to sudden cardiac death occurs in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). This condition can be effectively treated, but the key challenge is early detection, which involves identifying those who are at risk.
Click on the links below to learn more about the different types of arrhythmic disorders:
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Flutter
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
Bradycardia
Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular Fibrillation
Heart Block (Atrioventricular or "AV" Block)
Genetic/Inherited Heart Rhythm Conditions
Arrhthmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD)
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Long QT syndrome (LQTS)
Brugada syndrome
Related Services
Advanced Heart Disease Center
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
Cardiovascular Genetics Center
Echocardiography Laboratory
Exercise Testing Laboratory
Vascular Laboratory
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