Clinical Manifestations
This can occur as a symptom in children and infants where they can present a pale or bluish discoloration in the skin and lips.
What is cyanosis?
Heartbeat starts with this special group of cells that help trigger electrical signals. For this disorder, the signal for heartbeat does not start there.
What is the SA node?
To look for reversible triggers of recurrent rapid heart rhythms, clinicians may order blood tests such as thyroid function, electrolytes, and this standard panel that checks red and white blood cells.
What is a complete blood count (CBC)?
This long-term procedure uses catheters to destroy tiny areas in the heart that are causing the abnormal electrical pathway, and it can often cure the problem.
What is catheter ablation?
This mechanism is a common cause of rapid heart rhythms in the upper heart chambers. (hint: it normally includes a looping electrical signal)
What is reentry/reentrant circuit?
Fast and erratic heartbeat that can produce heart beats 150 to 220 times a minute.
What is tachycardia?
Located between the atria and ventricles, this node helps delay electrical signals. However, this disorder starts the heartbeat at this node, resulting in a faster heartbeat.
What is AV node?
On an ECG, doctors look at whether this part of the tracing is narrow to help distinguish a rapid rhythm starting above the ventricles from one starting in them.
What is the QRS complex width?
If the person becomes unstable or medicines do not work, this treatment uses a carefully timed electric shock to reset the heart’s rhythm.
What is synchronized cardioversion?
This ion is involved in cardiac action potentials, especially in the depolarization of pacemaker cells.
What is a Ca2+?
An uncomfortable sensation in the chest that causes irregular heartbeats and pounding or fluttering feelings.
What is palpitations?
The brain is affected where there is a lack of oxygen and blood delivery. Also, there is a drop in heart blood pressure and heart rate, leading to a short-term of being unresponsive.
What is syncope?
This specialty heart study uses catheters with sensors to find where faulty electrical signals begin in the heart.
What is an electrophysiology study (EP study)?
If the first steps do not work, doctors may use medicines such as verapamil or diltiazem, which belong to this drug group.
What are calcium channel blockers?
The latin root in this condition translates to "above" (think in reference to position)
What is "supra"?
Abnormal heart rhythm
What is arrhythmia?
When there is a lack of proper blood flow, many organs and tissues will not have enough oxygen to function properly.
What is hypoxia?
A patient may wear this portable device to record the heart rhythm over time, especially if irregular heart rhythms occur throughout the day.
What is a Holter monitor or event monitor?
This fast-acting IV medicine is often given in the emergency room to stop sudden episodes of an abnormal heart rhythm.
What is adenosine?
This part of the autonomic nervous system increases the heart rate when stimulated.
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
Part of the list of typical symptoms that include pounding sensation in the neck, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, sweating, and fatigue.
What is chest pain?
Without proper treatment, the heart would be unable to pump adequate blood and blood buildup occurs in other organs.
What is heart failure?
This first-line test records the heart's electrical activity and is commonly used to diagnose this condition.
What is an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)?
These simple bedside techniques, like bearing down or blowing into a syringe, are used first in stable patients to slow a fast heartbeat by stimulating the vagus nerve.
What are vagal maneuvers?
The greek prefix "tachy-" appears in several english words and often suggests this concept.
What is fast/rapid?