Arrhythmia

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. It may feel like fluttering or a brief pause. It may be so brief that it doesn't change your heart rate (the number of times per minute that your heart beats). Or it can cause the heart rate to be too slow or too fast. Some arrhythmias don't cause any symptoms. Others can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy. © AHA

Disorders in the heart's electrical system can lead to arrhythmias, or an abnormal heart rhythm. There are many types of arrhythmias and they're classified by where they occur in the heart and their pattern of abnormality. This segment will explain the arrhythmia known as Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation causes the heart to beat out of rhythm. To get the heart beating normally again, sometimes the heart is 'shocked' into normal rhythm. The idea of shocking the heart may be intimidating, but it's actually a quick and painless procedure.

Learn how to take antiarrhythmic medications safely.