Dysrythmia

Dysrythmia is a heart condition characterized by an irregular heart rate.  The heart rate can be abnormal in other ways as well.  This heart condition commonly called a cardiac arrhythmia, though both terms are acceptable. 

The normal range of an adult heartbeat is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.  In dysrythmia, the heart rate rises above or below this range.  Whenever this happens, the individual's life is threatened.  This happens because of the overload of work placed on the heart at that time.

There are two distinctions in dysrythmia.  Bradycardia is a condition that occurs when the heart beat drops below 60 beats per minute.  When this happens, it is not necessarily as life threatening as the second type.  The second type is tachycardia.  Here, the heart beat races up to 100 beats per minute.  It too is not life threatening, unless the heartbeat maintains that high range for a lower period. 

One form of dysrythmia is fibrillation.  In this form, the heart does not beat at a normal pace.  Instead, it quivers.  Blood cannot flow readily throughout the body during this occurrence.  For this reason, this form of dysrythmia can be fatal, only if the normal rhythm takes too long to come back.

Most times, dysrythmia is a condition that requires immediate medical attention.  In some situations, the condition may not be a problem with the heart causing it.  Rather, it can be a signal of a different underlying condition.  In all cases, patients that have this type of health risk will need medical attention to restore regular beats to the heart.

Doctors often treat dysrythmia with medication or by shocking the heart into a healthy rate.  In all cases, patients that have or have a tendency for dysrythmia should work with their doctor to improve the situation.