Types of arrhythmias
There are two main categories of arrhythmias:
- Supraventricular Arrhythmias originate in the atria, or heart's upper chambers
- Ventricular Arrhythmias originate in the ventricles, or heart's lower chambers
One of the most common arrhythmias is atrial fibrillation (AFib). This occurs when the two small upper chambers of the heart "quiver" rather than beat normally, which causes blood to pool in the atria.
Other types of arrhythmias include:
- Tachycardia: Heart beating too fast (more than 100 beats per minute)
- Bradycardia: Heart beating too slow (less than 60 beats per minute)
- Bradyarrhythmia: Slow heart rhythm that may be caused by disease in the heart's electrical conduction system