An arrhythmia is a problem with the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. A heartbeat that is too fast is called tachycardia. A heartbeat that is too slow is called bradycardia. Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can be serious or even life threatening. When the heart rate is too slow, too fast, or irregular, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. Lack of blood flow can damage the brain, heart, and other organs.
A smart-technology wearable wristband device may be able to automatically detect cardiac arrest, which could lead to faster medical assistance and increased survival odds when cardiac arrest occurs outside of a hospital, according to new research published today in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, a peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Heart Association.
New data from the CDC WONDER database finds deaths from heart attack-related cardiogenic shock (CS) decreased between 1999 and 2020, but deaths linked to heart failure (HF) and abnormal heart rhythms have risen sharply since 2010, particularly among men.
Two new studies show that tirzepatide, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (RA), significantly reduces cardiovascular risk in high-risk patients, including those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and those with obesity undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Physical activity in children and teenagers with cardiomyopathy (conditions that affect the heart muscle's structure and function, impairing its ability to pump or fill effectively), as well as children with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may be safer than previous research suggested, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published today in the Association's flagship peer-reviewed journal Circulation.
Working with "digital twins" of patients' hearts, doctors improved cardiac ablation outcomes for patients with life-threatening arrythmias.
The global community of heart rhythm specialists will unite in Paris from 12 to 14 April 2026 for EHRA 2026, the annual congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
Researchers found that people with atrial fibrillation had lower MRI-based glymphatic activity and poorer cognitive performance than healthy controls, with the greatest impairment seen in non-paroxysmal AF. In patients who underwent catheter ablation, glymphatic activity improved after sinus rhythm was restored, suggesting a possible link between heart rhythm, brain waste clearance, and cognition.
New research published in Nature Cardiovascular Research reveals that heart failure and atrial fibrillation share underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms, suggesting that the two cardiovascular conditions may be less distinct than previously thought.
A made-in-Calgary 4D heart model is transforming treatment for heart failure patients having a specialized pacemaker inserted, called cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).
The study reveals COVID-19 vaccines do not increase sudden cardiac death risk in youth, highlighting the importance of accurate health messaging.
Researchers analyzed gut microbiome profiles from 4,792 adults in the HELIUS cohort and tracked cardiometabolic outcomes over time to determine whether specific microbes predict disease risk. Certain microbes were linked to higher or lower cardiovascular risk, while plant-derived microbial metabolites suggested potential diet–microbiome interactions influencing heart health.
People who use drugs with anticholinergic effects, including certain antidepressants, drugs for urinary incontinence and common antihistamines, are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Current models of mortality risk after heart failure (HF) rely primarily on cardiac-specific clinical variables and may underestimate risk in elderly East Asian patients.
New insights into spontaneous coronary artery dissection – a devastating cause of heart attacks in young, healthy patients – were presented today at the EAPCI Summit 2026.
A new study reveals that the predictive power of key inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein, shifts fundamentally depending on whether a patient suffers from cirrhosis or acute/chronic coronary disease.
The UPV and Corify Care present the first whole-heart mapping technology that provides a comprehensive view of cardiac arrhythmias in a single heartbeat.
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common chronic cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice, is very challenging to treat once it becomes persistent, after which spontaneous return to normal rhythm becomes highly unlikely.
New research shows that the use of an AI-enabled digital stethoscope more than doubled the identification of moderate to severe valvular heart disease during routine clinical examinations, compared to a traditional stethoscope.
Interdisciplinary collaboration with cardiologists in non-cardiac surgery enhances patient outcomes, reducing cardiac event risks and improving survival rates.
In 2019, after a routine vaccination, 11-year-old Keithron Thomas felt a sharp pain in his shoulder and down his arm. His mother, Melanie Bostic, thought it would go away after a few days. But days turned to weeks, then months, and years.
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