Arrhythmia

Your heart needs to beat at a regular pace in order to send blood to your body efficiently. The average heart beats between 60 and 100 times per minute. If you have an arrhythmia, your heart might be beating too fast, too slowly or at an irregular pace. There are many kinds of arrhythmias. Bradycardia refers to a heartbeat of fewer than 60 beats per minute. Tachycardia refers to a heartbeat of more than 100 beats per minute. Atrial fibrillation occurs when the upper chambers of your heart beat too fast and irregularly. Premature ventricular or atrial contractions are irregular or occasional extra beats of the heart. Many arrhythmias are mild and often go away on their own. Others, however, can be life-threatening. If an arrhythmia is severe or lasts a long time, it can lead to lightheadedness, fainting, stroke, organ damage or sudden cardiac death.

Discover Our Difference

University of Minnesota Health physicians have pioneered many advances in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. They implanted the first cardiac pacemaker in the 1950s, provided the first wearable, transistorized pacemaker to a young boy in the 1960s and were involved in the first bi-ventricular pacemakers and defibrillators in the 1990s. They also have been at the leading edge of technology involving catheters and resynchronization therapy to help both chambers of the heart beat together efficiently. Our team of specialists work hand in hand from diagnosis to treatment, providing you with clinical expertise and compassionate care to treat your arrhythmia.