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

Researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark followed 1,200 patients at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) who already had tiny implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in their chests. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant used for depression and nerve pain, can cause seizures, dangerous heart arrhythmias and cardiac arrest in children, even at relatively low doses, per The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 9 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

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