Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat that can lead to serious health complications, including death. The most common type of arrhythmia that can lead to death is ventricular fibrillation, which is a condition in which the heart's lower chambers (ventricles) contract rapidly and irregularly. This can cause the heart to stop beating and lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Other life-threatening arrhythmias include tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and bradycardia.
Tachycardia is an abnormally fast heartbeat (over 100 beats per minute) that can cause the heart to beat too fast and inefficiently, leading to a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the body. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and rapid heartbeat that can cause blood clots to form, leading to a stroke or heart attack. Bradycardia is the opposite of tachycardia, and is caused by an abnormally slow heartbeat (less than 60 beats per minute). This can cause the heart to not pump enough oxygenated blood to the body, leading to fatigue, lightheadedness, and even death.
In all of these cases, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms of an arrhythmia. Treatment options can include medications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgery.