Abnormal heartbeat

Revision as of 20:31, 19 May 2014 by >Josikins

An abnormal heartbeat is any of a group of conditions in which the electrical activity of the heart is irregular. The heartbeat may be too fast (over 100 beats per minute) or too slow (less than 60 beats per minute) and may be regular or irregular. A heartbeat that is too fast is called tachycardia and a heartbeat that is too slow is called bradycardia. Although many arrhythmias are not life-threatening, some can cause cardiac arrest.

In the context of substance usage, many compounds alter one's heartrate. For example, stimulants tend to increase one's heart rate whilst depressants tend to decrease it. Combining the two can often result in dangerously irregular heartbeats.

See also