An irregular heart rhythm is referred to as what?

An irregular heart rhythm is referred to as what?

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Arrhythmia
• C. Bradycardia
• D. Palpitations

Answer: (B)

Irregular heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. This term covers any deviation from the heart’s normal rhythm, whether the heart rate is too fast, too slow, or the beats occur in an irregular pattern. Tachycardia refers to a fast heart rate, and bradycardia to a slow heart rate, but neither inherently implies irregular timing. Palpitations describe the sensation of feeling your heart beat in an unusual way, not the rhythm itself. So when the rhythm itself is irregular, the correct label is an arrhythmia.

Irregular heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. This term covers any deviation from the heart’s normal rhythm, whether the heart rate is too fast, too slow, or the beats occur in an irregular pattern. Tachycardia refers to a fast heart rate, and bradycardia to a slow heart rate, but neither inherently implies irregular timing. Palpitations describe the sensation of feeling your heart beat in an unusual way, not the rhythm itself. So when the rhythm itself is irregular, the correct label is an arrhythmia.