What defines arrhythmia in a medical context?

Arrhythmia in a medical context is defined as a change in the normal pattern of the heartbeat. This can manifest as a variety of conditions, including irregular heartbeats, skipped beats, or abnormal rhythms that can occur either too quickly (tachycardia) or too slowly (bradycardia). Essentially, arrhythmias disrupt the coordinated electrical activity that regulates heart contractions, leading to variations in the heart's rhythm that can affect its efficiency in pumping blood throughout the body. Recognizing and classifying these changes is crucial because they can indicate underlying heart conditions that may require medical intervention. Understanding this definition helps in identifying potential symptoms and guides further clinical evaluation of a patient's cardiovascular health.