Arrhythmia, sinus
Arrhythmia, sinus: The normal increase in heart rate that occurs during inspiration (when you breathe in). This is a natural response and is more accentuated in children than adults.
The “sinus” refers to the natural pacemaker of the heart which is called the sinoatrial (or sinus) node. It is located in the wall of the right atrium (the right upper chamber of the heart). Normal cardiac impulses start there and are transmitted to the atria and down to the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart).
Sinus tachycardia refers to a fast heartbeat (tachycardia) because of rapid firing of the sinoatrial (sinus) node. This occurs in response to exercise, exertion, excitement, pain, fever, excessive thyroid hormone, low blood oxygen (hypoxia), stimulant drugs (such as caffeine), etc.
The lack of normal sinus rhythm is an arrhythmia, an abnormal heart rhythm.
Read Also:
- Arrhythmias, atrial
Arrhythmias, atrial: Abnormal heart rhythm due to electrical disturbances in the atria (the upper chambers of the heart) or the AV node “relay station”, leading to fast heart beats. Examples of atrial arrhythmias includes atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT).
- Arrhythmias, rapid
Arrhythmias, rapid: Abnormally rapid heart rhythms, medically termed tachycardia.
- Arrhythmias, slow
Arrhythmias, slow: Abnormally slow heart rhythms, medically termed bradycardia.
- Arrhythmias, ventricular
Arrhythmias, ventricular: Abnormal rapid heart rhythms (arrhythmias) that originate in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). Ventricular arrhythmias include ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Both are life threatening arrhythmias most commonly associated with heart attacks or scarring of the heart muscle from previous heart attack.
- Arsenic
A metallic element that forms a number of poisonous compounds, arsenic is found in nature at low levels mostly in compounds with oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur. These are called inorganic arsenic compounds. Arsenic in plants and animals combines with carbon and hydrogen. This is called organic arsenic. Organic arsenic is usually less harmful than inorganic […]