An is an abnormal heart rhythm usually caused by an electrical
"short circuit" in the heart. The heart normally beats in a
consistent pattern, but an arrhythmia can make it beat too
slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. This can cause the heart
muscle's pumping function to work erratically, which can lead to
a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, dizziness, and chest
pain. What Causes Arrhythmias? The heart has its own conduction
system, or electrical system, that sends electrical signals
around the heart, telling it when to contract and pump blood
throughout the body. The electrical signals originate from a
group of cells in the right atrium, called the sinus node. The
sinus node functions as the heart's pacemaker and makes sure the
heart is beating at a normal and consistent rate. The sinus node
normally increases the heart rate in response to factors like
exercise, emotions, and stress, and slows the heart rate during
sleep. However, sometimes the electrical signals flowing through
the heart don't "commu