arrhythmia

noun

ar·​rhyth·​mia ā-ˈrit͟h-mē-ə How to pronounce arrhythmia (audio)
: an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force

Examples of arrhythmia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Furthermore, omega-3s have been associated with a reduced risk of arrhythmias, which can be life-threatening. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023 According to the American Heart Association (AHA), this type of arrhythmia raises the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. Amanda MacMillan, Health, 8 Sep. 2023 That mechanical force against the heart can disrupt the rhythm of the heart and cause an arrhythmia to occur. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2023 Fainting can also be due to medical conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary embolism or seizures. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023 Patients with chronic kidney disease, including end-stage renal disease, can’t properly excrete potassium from their bodies and excess potassium levels in the blood, known as hyperkalemia, can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden heart failure. Nicholas Florko, STAT, 15 Aug. 2023 Here, Piccini and other experts explain how diabetes and heart arrhythmias may be connected. Markham Heid, Time, 25 July 2023 Many smart watches and other devices can detect this arrhythmia. Joe and Teresa Graedon, oregonlive, 24 July 2023 Emergency room personnel slipped a breathing tube into his lungs, ensuring that oxygen-rich air was penetrating deeply enough to make it into his bloodstream and special medication capable of helping the body break away from that paralyzing arrhythmia was administered. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'arrhythmia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of arrhythmia was circa 1860

Dictionary Entries Near arrhythmia

Cite this Entry

“Arrhythmia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrhythmia. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.

Medical Definition

arrhythmia

noun
ar·​rhyth·​mia ā-ˈrit͟h-mē-ə How to pronounce arrhythmia (audio)
: an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force

More from Merriam-Webster on arrhythmia

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