Arrhythmia News and Research

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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.

Smartwatches improve the detection of atrial fibrillation

Smartwatches with both PPG and ECG functionality improve the detection of atrial fibrillation in comparison with standard care.

22 Jan 2026

More urban trees associated with fewer heart disease cases

A multi-institutional study led by the University of California, Davis, finds that living in urban areas with a higher percentage of visible trees is associated with a 4% decrease in cardiovascular disease.

21 Jan 2026

Male endurance athletes aged over 50 may be at greater risk of serious heart problems

Veteran male athletes who have spent years training at high intensity may be at greater risk of serious heart problems while exercising, new University of Leeds research shows.

12 Jan 2026

Clonal hematopoiesis linked to increased heart disease risk in cancer patients receiving treatment

About 1 in 5 patients with cancer who undergo genetic testing are incidentally found to have mutations in their blood called clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP).

8 Jan 2026

Etomidate proves safer than ketamine for emergency intubations

Doctors treating seriously ill patients in an emergency setting may want to give the sedative etomidate, rather than ketamine, while placing a breathing tube, according to a randomized trial published Dec. 9 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

12 Dec 2025

Human heart organoids enable new therapies for atrial fibrillation

Though an estimated 60 million people around the world have atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, a type of irregular and often fast heartbeat, it's been at least 30 years since any new treatments have been developed.

12 Dec 2025

Landmark RSI trial reshapes sedative selection for emergency airway management

9 Dec 2025

Study reveals the hidden toll of sudden cardiac death in type 1 and type 2 diabetes

A Danish nationwide study found that people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes have markedly higher rates of sudden cardiac death than the general population, especially at younger ages. At age 30, people with diabetes lose many years of life, with several of those years specifically attributable to sudden cardiac death.

7 Dec 2025

New evidence supports ablation for high-risk patients with AFib and sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation are two conditions that share a potentially deadly link. Having one increases the odds of developing the other, and together, the breathing difficulties of sleep apnea combined with the irregular heartbeat of atrial fibrillation (AFib) can result in life-threatening cardiovascular risks.

1 Dec 2025

Northwestern scientists create new genetic risk score to improve prediction of arrhythmia

In a new Northwestern Medicine study, scientists have developed a more precise genetic risk score to determine whether a person is likely to develop arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to serious conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AFib) or sudden cardiac death.

11 Nov 2025

Anticoagulants increase bleeding post-ablation with no added stroke benefit

A minimally invasive heart procedure to correct irregular heart rhythms called catheter ablation may reduce the risk of stroke enough that some patients can discontinue blood thinners, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025.

11 Nov 2025

Earlier blood transfusion reduces heart complications post-surgery in high-risk patients

An earlier blood transfusion- done when hemoglobin levels were higher - after major general or vascular surgery among people with heart disease was associated with a lower risk of some complications but not the most severe ones, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025.

11 Nov 2025

One cup of coffee a day could keep atrial fibrillation from coming back

A multicenter randomized clinical trial found that moderate caffeinated coffee intake after cardioversion significantly lowered the recurrence of atrial fibrillation or flutter compared with abstinence. The findings challenge long-standing advice to avoid coffee in cardiac arrhythmia patients and support its safety at typical consumption levels.

10 Nov 2025

Study reveals double trouble for peripheral arterial disease patients with AFib

New research from Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City finds that patients diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) who also have atrial fibrillation (AFib) face a significantly higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

10 Nov 2025

One concussion can raise your car crash risk by nearly 50%

Research shows that concussions elevate the risk of motor vehicle crashes, particularly in the weeks following injury, necessitating enhanced safety measures.

10 Nov 2025

Computational model predicts the hemodynamic response of patients following atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a cardiac disorder in which the chambers of the heart beat rapidly and irregularly. It's the most common type of arrhythmia and the leading cardiac cause of stroke.

29 Oct 2025

Preexisting hyperlipidemia in pregnancy linked to obstetric and early heart risks

Preexisting hyperlipidemia in pregnancy is associated with heightened risks of obstetric complications and early cardiovascular events in the first five-years postpartum, according to a new study being presented at ACC's Cardio-Obstetrics Essentials: Team-Based Management of Cardiovascular Disease and Pregnancy conference.

17 Oct 2025

Arrhythmia News and Research

Smartwatches improve the detection of atrial fibrillation

More urban trees associated with fewer heart disease cases

Male endurance athletes aged over 50 may be at greater risk of serious heart problems

Clonal hematopoiesis linked to increased heart disease risk in cancer patients receiving treatment

Etomidate proves safer than ketamine for emergency intubations

Human heart organoids enable new therapies for atrial fibrillation

Landmark RSI trial reshapes sedative selection for emergency airway management

Study reveals the hidden toll of sudden cardiac death in type 1 and type 2 diabetes

New evidence supports ablation for high-risk patients with AFib and sleep apnea

Northwestern scientists create new genetic risk score to improve prediction of arrhythmia

Anticoagulants increase bleeding post-ablation with no added stroke benefit

Earlier blood transfusion reduces heart complications post-surgery in high-risk patients

One cup of coffee a day could keep atrial fibrillation from coming back

Study reveals double trouble for peripheral arterial disease patients with AFib

One concussion can raise your car crash risk by nearly 50%

Computational model predicts the hemodynamic response of patients following atrial fibrillation

Preexisting hyperlipidemia in pregnancy linked to obstetric and early heart risks

Understanding the impact of chikungunya on children

Unusual heart rhythm disorder common in people with long COVID

Radiation therapy shows promise as safer alternative for severe heart rhythm disorder

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

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