Arrhythmia & Heart Failure
Arrhythmia is a condition where the heart beats out of time: either too fast, too slow or irregularly. Heart failure is a chronic disease in which the heart lacks the strength to adequately pump blood throughout the body, causing fluid to build up in the lungs, ankles and other body parts. For a Spanish-language version of the Guide, click here.
Expand All Guide SectionsArrhythmia
Many arrhythmias have no known cause, but coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stress and many other factors are known to increase one’s likelihood of developing the condition. Depending on the severity of the conditions, doctors can recommend a variety of treatments such medication, lifestyle changes, invasive therapies, electrical devices or surgery. In minor cases, no treatment is necessary.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Arrhythmias are often difficult to diagnose. Methods used to detect arrhythmias include analysis of family and medical history, physical exams, and diagnostic tests and procedures, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Dulcinea's Picks
For overviews …
The Cleveland Clinic
’s arrhythmia page has a series of articles describing all aspects of irregular heart rhythm. There’s an overview of healthy hearts, information on the causes of irregular heart rhythm, what it is, what varieties exist, symptoms, how it’s diagnosed and how it’s treated. Descriptions are accompanied by useful illustrations and diagrams.
For an interactive tutorial …
MedlinePlus
has a tutorial that covers arrhythmia’s symptoms, causes, risks, diagnosis and prevention over the course of nearly 100 narrated slides.
For organizations …
The Heart Rhythm Society
is a professional group that represents “the allied specialties of cardiac pacing and cardiac electrophysiology.” The society is actively involved in encouraging education about and awareness of conditions involving heartbeat irregularities, and advocating its members for governmental regulation.
For the latest research …
Heart Rhythm
, the official research journal of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), has articles by top scholars, physicians and researchers on the latest developments in heart rhythm. Access to full text articles requires a subscription.
For a specialist …
The Heart Rhythm Society
has a directory to help patients locate a specialist in their area.
Heart Failure
Symptoms of heart failure include regular shortness of breath, swelling in the legs or lower back, ... read more »
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