What are dangerous heart rhythm disorders?
Sudden cardiac death is the most common dangerous heart arrhythmia. It is actually known as ventricular tachycardia. This condition is a very common cause of death, accounting for 450,000 annual deaths—more than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and AIDS combined. There are some high-risk conditions that alert us to patients who are at high risk for these disorders. Some examples include previous heart attack, bypass surgery and heart failure. Question: Is sudden cardiac death preventable? Answer: Yes it is. With minor surgery, patients at high risk for this dangerous arrhythmia can undergo implantation with a defibrillator. This device can actually save a life. Answer: Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia. Patient with this disorder has a higher than usual rate of heart failure, stroke, and the need for pacemakers. Question: What can be done with atrial fibrillation? Answer: Atrial fibrillation can be treated in a variety of ways. If caught early enough, this arrhythmia can
