![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() On the right side of the heart (which appears on the left in the diagram), blood enters the right atrium from the body. These chambers contract in a carefully coordinated sequence so that the heart pumps blood throughout the body every time it beats. The heart is divided into four asymmetric chambers – the right atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium, and the left ventricle. In order to understand how and why arrhythmias occur, it is important to briefly review the structure and function of the heart. When the heart no longer delivers sufficient oxygen to the brain, syncope (‘fainting”) and death can occur in quick succession. In these life-threatening cases, the heart becomes unable to effectively pump blood throughout the body and to the vital organs. In fact, certain types of arrhythmia can lead to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and death within a few minutes after onset. However, serious arrhythmias that are prolonged and significantly disrupt heart function are very dangerous. These abnormal rhythms are caused by disturbances in the electrical signals that control the heart.Īrrhythmias can occur in healthy hearts and, most of the time, they are both short-lived and harmless. In the case of an arrhythmia, the heart may be beating too fast, too slow, or in an irregular pattern. What is an Arrhythmia?Ĭardiac arrhythmia broadly refers to an abnormal heart rate or rhythm. Has your heart “skipped a beat” or “stopped” in a moment of panic? What about a warm “fluttering” sensation when you are in love? These may be cardiac arrhythmias, and they are more than just colloquial expressions. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |