Atrial Fibrillation
An abnormally fast heart rhythm in which the atria (upper
chambers of the heart) quiver due to chaotic, uncoordinated electrical
activity. Atrial fibrillation may be continuous or may start and stop
spontaneously.
Atrial Flutter
A condition in which the contractions in the atria (upper chambers of the
heart) become extremely rapid.
Bradycardia
The heartbeat is too slow, or slows enough to cause symptoms.
Sick Sinus Syndrome
(SSS)
A broad term to describe abnormalities in the SA node (the heart’s
natural pacemaker). This may result in a slow, fast or irregular heart
rate, or intermittent cessation of the SA node activity.
Supraventricular
Tachycardia (SVT)
A category of heart rhythm disorder characterized by an abnormal rapid or
irregular heart rhythm in the atria (upper chambers) of the heart.
Ventricular
Fibrillation (VF)
A heart rhythm disorder that originates in the ventricles (lower chambers
of the heart), VF is an abnormally rapid heart rhythm that is highly
unstable and irregular. During VF, electrical signals move chaotically
through the heart, preventing it from pumping blood and beating properly.
Ventricular
Tachycardia (VT)
A heart rhythm that originates in the ventricles (lower chambers of the
heart). VT is a rapid rhythm during which patients may feel faint or
dizzy, or even pass out. During VT, the heart does not pump blood as
efficiently as it does during a normal rhythm because rapid contractions
prevent it from filling adequately with blood between beats.
Cardiomyopathy
A chronic disorder that causes the muscle of the heart to become weakened
and not work as efficiently as it should.
Congestive Heart
Failure
The inability of the heart to pump out all the blood that returns to it.
This results in blood backing up in the veins that lead to the heart
causing fluid to accumulate in various parts of the body. This may occur
due to heart attack, hypertension, heart muscle or heart valve disease.
Heart Failure
A syndrome or clinical condition resulting from failure of the heart to
maintain adequate circulation of blood. It may result from failure of the
right or left ventricle (lower chamber) or both.
Long QT Syndrome
An abnormality of the heart’s electrical system. The mechanical function
of the heart is entirely normal. An electrical defect that leads to a very
fast heart rhythm which can result in a sudden loss of consciousness and
may cause sudden cardiac death. The syndrome may be inherited or acquired.
Sudden Cardiac Death
The sudden abrupt loss of heart function (IE. cardiac arrest) in a person
who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. It occurs
instantly or shortly after the onset of symptoms.
Wolf – Parkinson-White Syndrome
(WPW)
An abnormal heart rhythm in which electrical impulses are conducted along
an extra pathway from the atria (upper chambers) to the ventricles (lower
chambers), causing episodes of a rapid heart rate.