arrhythmia

[ uh-rith-mee-uh, ey-rith- ]
/ əˈrɪð mi ə, eɪˈrɪð- /

noun Pathology.

any disturbance in the rhythm of the heartbeat.
Also arhythmia.

Origin of arrhythmia

1885–90; < New Latin < Greek arrhythmía. See a-6, rhythm, -ia

OTHER WORDS FROM arrhythmia

arrhyth·mic [uh-rith-mik, ey-rith-] /əˈrɪð mɪk, eɪˈrɪð-/, ar·rhyth·mi·cal, adjective ar·rhyth·mi·cal·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH arrhythmia

arrhythmic eurhythmic

Example sentences from the Web for arrhythmia

British Dictionary definitions for arrhythmia

arrhythmia
/ (əˈrɪðmɪə) /

noun

any variation from the normal rhythm in the heartbeat

Word Origin for arrhythmia

C19: New Latin, from Greek arrhuthmia, from a- 1 + rhuthmos rhythm

Medical definitions for arrhythmia

arrhythmia
[ ə-rĭðmē-ə ]

n.

An irregularity in the force or rhythm of the heartbeat.

Scientific definitions for arrhythmia

arrhythmia
[ ə-rĭðmē-ə ]

An abnormal rhythm of the heart, often detectable on an electrocardiogram. Electrical impulses in the heart normally originate in the sinoatrial node of the right atrium during diastole and are transmitted through the atrioventricular node to the ventricles, causing the muscle contraction that usually occurs during systole. However, abnormalities of electrical conduction during diastole or systole can result in various alterations of the heartbeat, such as changes in heart rate, skipped or irregular beats, and fibrillation of the heart muscle, which can be life threatening. These electrical disturbances can be caused by metabolic abnormalities, inadequate blood supply (as in coronary artery disease), drug effects, chronic disease, and other factors. Arrhythmias are sometimes treated with the implantation of a pacemaker.