Cardiac arrhythmia, also known as
cardiac dysrhythmia or
irregular heartbeat, is a group of conditions in which the
heartbeat is irregular, too fast, or too slow. A heartbeat that is too fast - above 100 beats per minute in adults - is called
tachycardia and a heartbeat that is too slow - below 60 beats per minute - is called
bradycardia. Many types of arrhythmia have no symptoms. When symptoms are present these may include
palpitations or feeling a pause between heartbeats. More seriously there may be
lightheadedness,
passing out,
shortness of breath, or
chest pain. While most types of arrhythmia are not serious some predispose a person to complications such as
stroke or
heart failure. Others may result in
cardiac arrest.