Managing arrhythmias - A guide to Physicians

Cardiac arrhythmia is a condition in which the heart beats with an irregular rhythm. There is an abnormality in the site of the origin of impulse, rate, or conduction. Arrhythmia affects millions of people around the world. While they may occur at any age, they are most commonly seen in older patients. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) often occurs as a result of arrhythmias. SCD accounts for nearly 50% of deaths due to cardiovascular disease and about 15% of all deaths globally. About 80% of SCD occur as a result of ventricular arrhythmias [1]. Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFl) resulted in 112,000 deaths in 2013 — a stark increase from 29,000 in 1990. A patient may present with symptoms of palpitation, giddiness, uneasiness, syncope, SCD, or with non-specific complaints. A lot of patients may remain asymptomatic for variable periods till the first episode and in-between episodes.