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

Prosecutors argued Agüero injected potassium and insulin into the infants, provoking lethal arrhythmias, El País and the Buenos Aires Times reported. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025

For anyone with a score below 40% after a heart attack, beta-blockers continue to be the standard of care due to their ability to calm heart arrhythmias that may trigger a second event. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025

Many studies, including a large study in South Korea, found shingles vaccination reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmias, with benefits lasting up to eight years. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Heart problems, resulting in heart pump dysfunction, such as heart failure, heart attack, or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 16 Aug. 2025

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