arrhythmia

noun ar·rhyth·mia \ ā-ˈrit͟h-mē-ə \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Definition of arrhythmia

: an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force

Recent Examples of arrhythmia from the Web

In the meantime, a pill that medical experts say can cause diabetes, heart arrhythmia and potentially irreversible movement disorders continues to be prescribed to many Americans who are only seeking a good night’s sleep or less anxiety by day.

— amy ellis nutt, Washington Post, "One of America’s most popular drugs — first aimed at schizophrenia — reveals the issues of ‘off-label’ use," 30 Mar. 2018
Researchers at Stanford University, led by Andrew Ng, have shown that AI software can identify arrhythmias from an electrocardiogram (ECG) better than an expert.

— The Economist, "Artificial intelligence will improve medical treatments," 7 June 2018
The group has joined forces with a firm that makes portable ECG devices and is helping Apple with a study looking at whether arrhythmias can be detected in the heart-rate data picked up by its smart watches.

— The Economist, "Artificial intelligence will improve medical treatments," 7 June 2018
The New York Times attributed the league's 2006 implementation of standardized cardiac screening to the death of Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier, who reportedly died of a sudden arrhythmia caused by an enlarged heart.

— george stoia, Detroit Free Press, "G-Leaguer Zeke Upshaw diagnosed with heart disease year before he died," 2 June 2018
Sudden cardiac arrest typically occurs when an arrhythmia (heart rhythm abnormality) makes a person’s heart stop beating, according to the Mayo Clinic.

— korin miller, SELF, "Think You Know How to Do CPR? You Might Be Wrong," 31 May 2018
Pfizer also allegedly worked with the foundation to set up a fund for patients taking Tikosyn, an arrhythmia medicine, and coordinated the opening of the fund with a price hike.

— jonathan saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, "Pfizer to pay nearly $24 million to settle kickback charges," 24 May 2018
These drugs were Sutent and Inlyta, which both treat renal cell carcinoma, and Tikosyn, which treats arrhythmia in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

— ed silverman, STAT, "Pfizer agrees to pay nearly $24M for illegally using a charity to pay kickbacks to Medicare patients," 24 May 2018
Commonly called heart disease, cardiovascular disease includes heart failure, arrhythmias and heart valve problems in addition to strokes and attacks.

— susan scutti, CNN, "An egg a day might reduce your risk of heart disease, study says," 21 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arrhythmia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.