Heart block is a heart rhythm where the heart beats slower than normal (bradycardia). In this condition, the electrical impulses that inform the heart to contract are totally or partially blocked between the atria and the ventricles. This is why heart block is also called atrioventricular block (AV block). What is Heart Block? In normal [...]
Atrial Flutter
Atrial Flutter Atrial flutter (AFL) is a common abnormal heart rhythm, that similar to atrial fibrillation, is a supraventricular (ie. above the ventricles) tachycardia (rapid heart beats). In AFL, the upper chambers (atria) of the heart beat fast, resulting in atrial muscle contractions that are out of sync and faster than the lower chambers (ventricles). What is Atrial Flutter? [...]
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Part II of II
Every Minute Counts During SCA, the amount of time it takes to get treatment and help is the difference between life and death. 95% of individuals who experience SCA die because life-saving defibrillation is not received within four to six minutes, before brain and permanent death occur. If a SCA emergency is suspected, these steps should be followed: [...]
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Part I of II
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Part I of II Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart stops beating, without warning in an abrupt manner. If this occurs, blood stops flowing to vital organs and the brain. Further, if the heartbeat is not restored with an immediate electrical shock, death follows within minutes. More [...]
Atrial Fibrillation Part II of II
Atrial Fibrillation Part II of II Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation Many people with AFib don’t feel any symptoms. Others are able to tell the moment it occurs. The symptoms associated with AFib are different for everybody. The symptoms depend on the cause of the AFib (such as heart problems [...]
Atrial Fibrillation Part I of II
Atrial Fibrillation Part I of II The most common abnormal heart rhythm is atrial fibrillation (AFib). Normal hearts have the four chambers beating in a rhythmic steady pattern. AFib is an irregular rhythm where the atria (upper chambers of the heart) fibrillate (twitch or quiver quickly). This irregular heart rhythm may lead to [...]
An Overview of Heart Diseases and Disorders Part II of II
An Overview of Heart Diseases and Disorders Part II of II Arrhythmias that originate in the ventricles are: Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) Ventricular tachycardia is a life threatening arrhythmia that occurs more often with other serious heart disease; however, sometimes it happens in people with normal hearts. It is a serious condition that needs follow-up and aggressive treatment, [...]
An Overview of Heart Diseases and Disorders Part I of II
An Overview of Heart Diseases and Disorders Part I of II At some point in their lives, millions of people experience irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias. They are harmless most of the time and occur in healthy people free of heart disease. However, there are some abnormal heart rhythms that can be serious or [...]
How the Normal Heart Works Part III of III
The Heart’s Electrical System The heart contains an electrical system that creates the electrical signals that trigger the heart to contract or beat. With each contraction, blood is pumped to the entire body. The process begins in the atria, the upper chambers of the heart, which pump blood into the ventricles, the lower [...]
How the Normal Heart Works Part II of III
The Normal Heart Part II of III Ejection Fraction: With each heartbeat, the heart contracts and relaxes. Every contraction pushes blood out of both ventricles. When the heart relaxes, both ventricles refill with blood. Ejection fraction (EF) equals the amount, or percentage, of blood that is pumped (or ejected) with each contraction [...]