arrhythmia

noun

ar·​rhyth·​mia ā-ˈrit͟h-mē-ə 

: an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force

Examples of arrhythmia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Following the arrhythmia incident in Week 6, Harbaugh was checked out by doctors, who were able to get his heart beating back to a normal rate. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

Research suggests high levels can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and arrhythmias, while also raising blood pressure. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025

Excessive drinking can also cause high blood pressure, arrhythmias and heart failure, said Dr. Jennifer Haythe, a cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. —Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

Have heart disease, as reports occurred of cardiovascular events like arrhythmia or myocardial infarction (heart attack). —Sara Hoffman, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek arrhythmía "lack of rhythm," from árrhythmos "lacking rhythm, unrhythmical" + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at arrhythmic

First Known Use

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing arrhythmia

• anti-arrhythmia

Medical Definition

arrhythmia

noun

ar·​rhyth·​mia ā-ˈrit͟h-mē-ə 

: an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force