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

According to the National Library of Medicine, Ebstein’s anomaly is a malformation of the heart where the tricuspid valve is displaced, which can cause blood regurgitation, right ventricular failure, and arrhythmias. —Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026

It's also not advised for people with pre-existing conditions, such as heart disease, arrhythmia, hypertension, anxiety, liver disease, or kidney disease, because the ingredients in pre-workout may worsen baseline symptoms, Cole said. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 13 Mar. 2026

The medical examiner listed Christman's cause of death as cardiac arrhythmia or cardiomyopathy, both forms of sudden cardiac arrest. —Stephanie Stremplewski, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026

These structural changes in the heart muscle increase the risk of arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation. —Valerie Cacho, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2026

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