❤️ Cardiac Arrhythmias
Simple Nursing Overview — abnormal heart rhythms & quick revision points
Medical / Nursing NotesWhat are Cardiac Arrhythmias?
Cardiac arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms caused by problems in the heart’s electrical conduction system, leading to rates that are too fast, too slow, or irregular.
🫀 Classification
1) Based on Heart Rate
- Tachyarrhythmias >100 bpm
- Bradyarrhythmias <60 bpm
2) Based on Origin
- Supraventricular — atria / AV node
- Ventricular — ventricles more dangerous
⚡ Common Types
Supraventricular Arrhythmias
- Sinus Tachycardia
- Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
- Atrial Flutter
- Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)
Ventricular Arrhythmias
- Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
- Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) 🚨
- Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
Conduction Disorders
- First-degree AV block
- Second-degree AV block
- Third-degree (Complete) Heart Block
🔍 Causes
- Ischemic heart disease / MI
- Electrolyte imbalance (K⁺, Mg²⁺)
- Hypoxia
- Drugs (digoxin, antiarrhythmics)
- Structural heart disease
- Stress, caffeine, alcohol
🩺 Clinical Manifestations
- Palpitations
- Dizziness / syncope
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Hypotension
- Cardiac arrest (severe cases)
🧪 Diagnosis
- ECG gold standard
- Holter monitoring
- Electrolyte levels
- Echocardiography
💊 Management
Medications
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Antiarrhythmics (amiodarone, lidocaine)
Electrical therapy
- Cardioversion
- Defibrillation
Devices
- Pacemaker
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
Treat the underlying cause (e.g., correct electrolytes, treat hypoxia/ischemia).
👩⚕️ Nursing Care
- Continuous ECG monitoring
- Assess vitals & hemodynamic stability
- Administer prescribed drugs safely
- Monitor electrolytes
- Patient education (medication adherence, trigger avoidance)
📝 Key Point
⚠️ Ventricular arrhythmias are life-threatening and require immediate intervention.
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